Firestorm Goldens
- Minneapolis, MN
Meet the breeder
I'm Darren B., the breeder behind Firestorm Goldens located in Minneapolis, MN. Our dogs are bred for health, temperament, and structure. We focus on proving our dogs temperament and breed workability through hunting, accomplishing titles, and training/competing in a variety of areas (including Agility, Obedience, Dock Diving, Therapy Work, Animal Acting).
Q. & A. with Darren
Why did you start breeding?
We love every aspect of Golden Retrievers and their enthusiasm for life. After seeing how many goldens were getting preventable, hereditary health conditions (I.e. ICH, NCL, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Cataracts), we wanted to be a part of the change in this breed. Our goals are to produce puppies who are healthy, all-around dogs while helping to educate others and promote ethical breeding.What makes your program special?
We do thorough research into the lineage of all of our dogs and breedings. Our lines are filled with dogs who have obtained the necessary health testing and accomplished titles/are proven hunters. We are invested in maintaining lifelong contact and support for every puppy we send home, which includes building a community for our owners where they feel comfortable asking questions and concerns.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include dark golden and golden. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and guardian homes.
Getting a puppy from Darren
Darren has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.
Darren partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 9 weeks old.
“Every litter is carefully temperament tested and evaluated on their structure, drive, and interests. This helps us to place each puppy with the right person/family. Before choosing our puppy placements, we conduct in-depth, comprehensive interviews with any potential owners. Puppies are matched once they're old enough for us to fully evaluate their temperaments and personalities typically around 8-9 weeks. ”
Price
“The price includes AKC registration, first round of vaccinations, deworming, microchip, puppy socialization, foundations of crate and potty training, & a puppy go-home bag. All of our puppies are the same price regardless of gender. We sell our puppies on limited registration except under specific circumstances.”
Contract & health guarantee
Darren may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Darren offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Darren directly.
You’re protected
on Good Dog
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What's included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
- Microchip
Extras
- Food & treats
- Toys
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Puppy starter kit
- Initial potty training
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Darren.
Breeder's location
Meet in Minneapolis, MN
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Minneapolis–St. Paul /Wold-Chamberlain Airport
Flexible meeting point
Darren can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Darren
Certifications & recognitions
American Kennel Club Canine College, Avidog Associate, CHIC Certified.
Darren has been a member of Good Dog for less than a month
Darren was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2026.
Darren’s links
Darren is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Firestorm Goldens meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Flare, mom
Golden Retriever
About Flare
Flare is a female Golden Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Darren decided to make her part of their program. Darren has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
Excellent level
Firestorm Goldens reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Golden Retrievers.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Vet Wellness Exam
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), Golden Retriever Type, Juvenile Cataracts, Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type 2, Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type 1, Full Embark Panel, DNA Disease Panel, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (NCL5), Golden Retriever Type, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), PRA, Golden Retriever 2, PRA, Golden Retriever 1
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
