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 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 $3,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“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.
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
5579 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at Sacramento Airport
5598 miles away
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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 6 months
Kimberly was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
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
Breeder-Reported Testing
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).