Health Guarantee
Our Commitment to Healthy Puppies
At Hope Service Dogs, responsible breeding begins with health.
Our breeding dogs undergo extensive health and genetic testing before being included in our breeding program. We exceed the Golden Retriever breed club's recommended health testing and carefully consider health, temperament, structure, and trainability when making breeding decisions.
Our goal is to give every HSD puppy the strongest possible start.
Health Testing Comes First
Every dog considered for our breeding program undergoes extensive health screening, including:
Hips & Elbows
Breeding dogs receive appropriate hip and elbow certifications through recognized organizations, including OFA, PennHIP, or FCI.
Eyes
Breeding dogs receive annual ophthalmological examinations by licensed canine ophthalmologists.
Heart
Breeding dogs receive cardiac evaluations by licensed canine cardiologists.
Genetic Screening
Our breeding dogs undergo genetic screening for more than 175 genetic mutations associated with inherited diseases.
Health testing does not guarantee that a dog will never develop a medical condition. It allows us to make informed breeding decisions and reduce known genetic risks.
Lifetime Genetic Disorder Health Guarantee
HSD guarantees that puppies produced through our breeding program will be clear of or carriers for the genetic conditions covered by this guarantee and will not test affected for the following conditions:
Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 1 (GR-PRA1)
Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 2 (GR-PRA2)
Ichthyosis 1
Ichthyosis 2
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
This guarantee applies according to the specific terms and conditions outlined below.
If a Covered Genetic Condition Is Identified
If a puppy is identified as affected by a covered genetic condition:
1. Retesting
The puppy must be retested by your veterinarian, at your expense, using the genetic testing company selected by HSD.
2. Confirmation
If the second test shows the puppy is unaffected, that result is considered final.
If the puppy is confirmed affected, HSD will provide a replacement puppy according to the terms of the guarantee.
3. Replacement Options
Option 1 — Keep Your Puppy
You may keep the affected puppy and receive one 8-week-old replacement puppy from a future litter after providing proof of spay/neuter within 18 months.
Option 2 — Return Your Puppy
You may return the affected puppy within 7 calendar days of the confirmed result and receive one 8-week-old replacement puppy from a future litter.
Important Terms
Spay/Neuter
Proof of spay/neuter must be provided by 24 months old or a replacement puppy will not be offered.
Replacement Timeframe
HSD has 12 months from receipt of the required spay/neuter documentation to provide the replacement puppy.
Travel & Shipping
HSD does not cover travel or shipping costs associated with either replacement option.
Veterinary Expenses
HSD does not cover veterinary or medical expenses incurred.
Questions About the Health Guarantee?
The health guarantee is provided with HSD puppies and should be reviewed carefully before committing to a puppy.
If you have questions about the guarantee or our health-testing practices, please contact us before purchasing a puppy.
Ready to learn about our puppies?
Changing Lives. Providing Hope for Tomorrow.
This webpage summarizes the HSD Health Guarantee. The signed puppy contract contains the complete terms and conditions.
Myla & Ariel from our Mermaid Litter