Vara Family Retrievers
Meet the breeder
I'm Kimberly V., the breeder behind Vara Family Retrievers located in Loomis, CA. At Vara Family Retrievers, we raise AKC Labs & Goldens in Northern CA with a focus on health, temperament, and early enrichment. Our puppies are raised with ENS, ESI, and Puppy Culture on our family farm and come from health-tested lines. Loved from day one, placed with care for life.
Q. & A. with Kimberly
Why did you start breeding?
Our journey began with a deep love for retrievers and a passion for responsible breeding. After raising Labs and Goldens as family pets for years, we felt called to share their incredible temperament with others. We began Vara Family Retrievers to raise puppies with purpose, health, and heart—right from our home.What makes your program special?
What sets Vara Family Retrievers apart is our commitment to raising puppies with purpose. We combine health-tested AKC lines with science-backed enrichment methods like ENS, ESI, and Puppy Culture. Our puppies are raised in our home with daily love, socialization, and structure to become confident, well-rounded companions.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our Labrador Retriever puppies include black, chocolate, and yellow. Golden Retriever puppies include golden and light golden. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Getting a puppy from Kimberly
Kimberly 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.
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
“Our puppies are $3500 based on color, pedigree, and pairing. Each pup comes with a health guarantee, vet checks, age-appropriate vaccines, and lifetime breeder support. We require a non-refundable $500 deposit to reserve your puppy. This secures your spot on our waitlist and is applied toward the total purchase price. Deposits are transferable to future litters.”
Contract & health guarantee
Kimberly 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 Kimberly 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 Kimberly 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
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
Extras
- Puppy starter kit
- Initial potty training
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Kimberly.
Breeder's location
Meet in Loomis, CA
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Sacramento Airport
Flexible meeting point
Kimberly can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Kimberly
Club memberships
Kimberly is a member of Sierra Vista Labrador Retriever Club, The Labrador Retriever Club, Labrador Retriever Club, Inc., and Golden Retriever Club of America.
Certifications & recognitions
Whelping and Medical Intervention Course Completed (AKC), CHIC Certified, Puppy Culture Breeder, AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T..
Kimberly has been a member of Good Dog for 10 months
Kimberly was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
Kimberly’s links
Kimberly is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Vara Family Retrievers 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 health testing
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Excellent level
Vara Family Retrievers 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.
Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type
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.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), DNA Disease Panel, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (NCL5), Golden Retriever Type, 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).
