Golden Retrievers of Excellence: Genetic & Orthopedic Health, Temperament, & Conformation
Each of our girls lives on site with us in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They enjoy evenings and weekends in our family home and enjoy the routine of a traditional school day completing Puppy Head Start, On Leash, Off Leash, Therapy Dog and Service Dog training. They are very fond of our weekly hikes, park walks, creeks and waterfalls that surround us.
We take pride in our breeding dogs' health, training and care, ensuring they live a full and happy life. Our breeding dogs are selected for working roles and the contribution of excellent genetics to our specialized breeding program. Our breeding dogs are currently in training or have completed Therapy Dog and Service Dog training and still conduct weekly therapy dog visits at our local schools and retirement facilities.
ADT is celebrating 5 years of responsible breeding with the launch of our new Trained Golden Retriever Guardian Program. This unique program pairs the healthiest puppies with ongoing training and a nurturing family to allow us to select the best of the best to continue our family lines in terms of genetics, orthopedic health, temperament, and conformation.
ADT's Trained Golden Retriever Co-Own Program allows families to obtain a highly trained and great tempered family dog for their time and participation in scheduled training, breeding and whelping. In return, the dog and Co-Owner receives Puppy Head Start, On Leash, Off Leash, and Refresher Training through our premier Private Training classes and Board & Train programs. Co-Owners must live within the Asheville area, submit AKC Golden Retriever Puppy Application, and participate fully in our program. Learn more about ADT's Trained Golden Retriever Co-Owner Program.
At ADT, we have raised and trained over 500 puppies of all breeds through our Puppy Head Start Board & Train program. This opportunity has provided us with great insight into breeding programs, genetic results, health testing availability, and the personal experience families have with brining their new puppy home.
The purpose of our breeding program is to create puppies that are prime candidates for therapy work, service dog training, and amazing family pets. Our families take home clean, healthy puppies who easily learn to sleep quietly in their crate, demonstrate confidence in new environments, and seek handling and affection.
Your new puppy experience will be a positive one, we guarantee it!
service dog summer in vest with her puppy Jada laying on her
Its Summer-time All the Time! Summer is the quintessential dog. She excels in Service Dog, Therapy Dog, and Conformation. Her genetics are remarkable with all clear/no carriers and her physical attributes (Hips, Elbows, Heart, & Eyes) all score with rating under the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
ADT's foundation dog, Summer, has shared her legacy in each of her offspring, with several currently working as service dogs and therapy dogs for our organization, other organizations, and as owner-trained.
Summer is our momma dog that not only takes in all puppies, but approaches and offers trust to any fearful pups at Board & Train and or attending Private Training classes. Summer's slow, soft and gentle nature is builds trust in both dogs and people.
Summer worked as an on-call therapy dog for our local Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) providing on scene therapy services in large and catastrophic events. Some would call her a hero, I just call her Summy!
Energy level: low-medium Arousal level: low Ball drive: low-medium Food drive: medium Toy drive: medium Search drive: high Possession drive: medium Working drive: medium
*Levels and Drives are based on the average golden retriever
Conformation: IABCA National Junior Puppy Championship
Zara with winning ribbon
Princess Za-hara!
Zara is our sunshine dog! She smiles so big her eyes squeeze closed. She has never had a bad day and assures you won't either with her ongoing antics of sneaking a lick or "readjusting" your hand to a better petting position in the pursuit to maintain absolute closeness to you.
Zara's zest for life contributes to a high drive for learning and performing complex and repetitive tasks, the attributes best suited for a mobility service dog. Zara also possesses a high ball drive which would have also made her a good candidate for single purpose detection, especially in a school setting. Our focus at ADT is service and therapy work, so we did not develop the ball drive or train for detection.
Her compact & muscular structure is well built for work, with quick and efficient movements and desire to perform simply to please her handler. The lightest pat or reciprocated smile is all the reward Zara needs.
Possessing confidence and intelligence, Zara will "smile" at people to encourage them to smile back and to come greet her. This works like a charm on her therapy dog visits, brining smiles and laughter to those who need it most.
When it comes to other dogs, Zara is the life of the party. She encourages confidence and good social behavior with repetitive interactions and physical play. There is no one nor no dog that Zara has never just loved.
Energy level: high Arousal level: medium Ball drive: high Food drive: high Toy drive: medium Search drive: high Possession drive: medium Working drive: high
*Levels and Drives are based on the average Golden Retriever
Appalachian's Jade of Summer
AKC Golden Retriever
DOB March 2021
Sire Millstones I Will Find You BCAT SCN SIN CGCA CGCU TKA
Jada was a dream puppy to raise, train and certify. Her low arousal and medium energy is the ideal combination for an Autism Assistance service dog or full time Facility Dog. Jada excels at nurturing tasks such as deep pressure therapy (DPT) and the touch task to interrupt behavior.
Smaller in stature, Jada is light on her feet and athletic. She has kept a naturally very short and thinner coat, which is super easy for grooming and bathing.
While therapy, affection, and connection are priorities for miss Jada, her number one priority is the ball. Jada has a hierarchy of toys that she values and we know the ranking of each toy, with ball always ranking number one.
Jada has matured into the likeness of Summer, ADT's foundation dog. Jada is an all-around, well-balanced, environmentally confident dog that will work all day for praise, food, a ball or all three.
Energy level: medium Arousal level: low Ball drive: high Food drive: medium Toy drive: medium-high Search drive: high Possession drive: high working drive: medium
*Levels and Drives are based on the average Golden Retriever
Appalachian's Mirror Image of Summer
AKC Golden Retriever
DOB November 2021
Sire Millstones I Will Find You BCAT SCN SIN CGCA CGCU TKA
Mira is the fairest of them all with her light colored, lightweight silky coat. She has a small, feminine face and is one of our tallest females.
Mira's favorite task is the lay command, giving deep pressure therapy. Mira also demonstrates intuitiveness, naturally performing task during times of a handler's heightened state. Mira's low arousal, medium working drive, and gentle movements would be ideal for an Autism Assistance Service Dog.
Mira's calm nature with slow and gentle movements make her an excellent provider for therapy dog visits for people of all ages. She passed her therapy dog certification tests with flying colors at exactly one year old!
Energy level: low Arousal level: low Ball drive: medium Food drive: high Toy drive: medium Search drive: Possession drive: Working drive: low
*Levels and Drives are based on the average Golden Retriever
Appalachian's Sweet Friend of Mine
AKC Golden Retriever
DOB July 2022
Sire Millstones I Will Find You BCAT SCN SIN CGCA CGCU TKA
Dam Cj Weibel's Zara Of Millstones I Please the 5th
Cora is a clone of Zara in many ways. The way they learn, their drives, and their silly antics demonstrate the power of genetics.
Cora is soft-natured, and while strong and quick in movement, is sensitive to harsh direction. Cora goes from wild & fast to snuggled, calm and sweet at lightening speed.
A stranger has never met Cora, and Cora has never passed up an opportunity to greet and provide comfort to a total stranger. Just like her mom, Cora will sneak a lick or "readjust" your hand to pet her better.
Energy level: high Arousal level: medium Ball drive: high Food drive: high Toy drive:high Search drive: extra high! Possession drive: medium Working drive: extra high!
Emerson's Appalachian Trail Magic
AKC Golden Retriever
DOB November 2022
Sire 24K Retrievers Love and Happiness From Poeticgold
Emerson's breeding program located in Charlotte, NC has partnered with ADT to raise, train, and compete with Magic.
Magic has been one of the easiest puppies to raise and possesses enthusiastic energy during training sessions. She is confident and outgoing and sometimes tries to boss the older dogs, without much luck as of yet. If she grows into herself, she will be a stunning dog, pure Magic!
While possessing high search and possession drives, Magic seeks people, tucking her head under their chin and freezing for a long snuggle. That stillness, steadiness, and calmness provides overwhelming comfort to those who invite her in.
Energy level: low Arousal level: med Ball drive: med Food drive: low Toy drive: med Search drive: low Possession Drive: med Working drive: extra low!