Hope & Joy Acres
- Pamplin, VA
Meet the breeder
I'm Kristen A., the breeder behind Hope & Joy Acres located in Pamplin, VA. Our goal is to sell reasonably priced, healthy puppies. Puppies come with a health guarantee contract, are kept indoors until they go to their new homes, are exposed to other dogs/cats/kids/normal household activity, started on puppy pads, been dewormed 4x and have received their first puppy shots.
Q. & A. with Kristen
Why did you start breeding?
An Australian Shepherd named “Cali” started it all. She was Kristen’s first Aussie, and she fell in love with the breed. Kristen started breeding Australian Shepherds in 2011. Breeding Aussiedoodles starting in 2018 added another layer to the excellence the farm offers. Then in 2021, we bought an AKC Golden pup, to begin offering Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles in 2025.What makes your program special?
They do not sell to puppy stores, have no interactions with “puppy mills”, do not overbreed their females, keep all dogs living in their home as family members (puppies, too!), and keep prices in a reasonable range, so all families can afford quality dogs. At 4 weeks of age, due to focused study of their puppies, they can tell you what the puppy’s energy, talkative, and submissive levels will be.What are the different breed sizes in your program?
Aussiedoodle puppies are standard size. Sizes will vary depending on the parent dogs.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our Golden Retriever puppies include golden and light golden. Aussiedoodle puppies include brown and white, sable, apricot, blue merle, red merle, black phantom, black and white, black tri-color, red phantom, and red tri-color. Australian Shepherd puppies include red merle, blue merle, black tri-color, and red tri-color. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Henry
Went homeMale
Lee
Went homeMale
Bill
Went homeMale
Carson
Went homeMale
Boy 8
Went homeMale
Jack
Went homeMale
Lucas
Went homeMale
Fiona
Went homeFemale
River
Went homeMale
Forrest
Went homeMale
Brook
Went homeFemale
Autumn
Went homeFemale
Ridge
Went homeMale
Canyon
Went homeMale
Glenn
Went homeMale
Summer
Went homeFemale
Getting a puppy from Kristen
Kristen has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $500 non-refundable deposit and between $200 - $1,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“The price includes puppy, deworming (3 or 4x), first shots, and living in our home for 2 months (no kennels!) exposure training. AKC registration for Golden Retrievers. Australian Shepherds require and non-refundable $250 deposit. Doodles and Golden Retrievers require a non-refundable $500 deposit. Deposits go toward puppy purchase price.”
Contract & health guarantee
Kristen 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 Kristen 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 Kristen directly.
Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more
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
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
Extras
- Food & treats
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Kristen.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Pamplin, VA
4199 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Flexible meeting point
Kristen can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Kristen
Kristen has been a member of Good Dog for 5 months
Kristen was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
Kristen’s links
Kristen is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Hope & Joy Acres 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
All breeds
Australian Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Maddi, mom
Australian Shepherd
About Maddi
Maddi is a very sweet, outgoing, loyal, obedient, and super easy to train red tri, standard, purebred Australian Shepherd. She is registered with American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR).
Great health testing
Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDR1), Orivet Genetics, Full Breed Profile, +1 more.
Belle, mom
Golden Retriever
About Belle
Belle is a sweet, easy going, laid back, easy to train, lower energy girl.
Good health testing
Full Embark Panel, Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA), +3 more.
Parent health testing
Aussiedoodle
Australian Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Hope & Joy Acres 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 Aussiedoodles.
Full Embark Panel
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).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Kristen to bring home their puppies.
Melissa E.
Verified owner · Aug. 2025
+6We were very impressed with Kristen and Hope & Joy Acres. I was unable to find a reputable and reliable breeder anywhere close to me in Ohio, I finally found Kristen on Good Dog. She was very knowledgeable about the breed and answered all the questions that I could come up with. She was about to meet us and we brought our little Millie Belle home on July 19th. We had a visit with our vet and was told Millie was the perfect example of a healthy golden. Would absolutely work with Kristen again, she was a pleasure! Thank you so much!!
Andrea T.
Verified owner · Aug. 2025
Kristen was very easy to work with and extremely helpful. We traveled 9 hours to get our little pup and she helped every step of the way. I had plenty of questions (even after we had returned home) and she was very happy to answer them. Oliver is adjusting well and is one happy puppy. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
Karla G.
Verified owner · July 2025
Kristen was super helpful with my decision and I couldn’t be happier with the amazing new best friend I got!
Adeel D.
Verified owner · Aug. 2025
+4Kristen was excellent and was detailed. She had printed out great information regarding the Breed and health. What to look out for and dates for vaccines and discussed it all with us and nothing felt rushed. All the Pups were taken care of with love until it was time to go their new families. We are beyond happy we got a Pup from her.
Megan W.
Verified owner · Aug. 2025
Kristen was responsive and sent me photos and videos of our sweet boy until we could pick him up. She knows so much about dogs- you can tell she really cares! Our sweet Frankie is settling in well at home and we are so thankful!
