Celebrating 10 Years of Oakes Family Golden Retrievers
I was going through some old USB drives today and stumbled across photos from when we launched Oakes Family Golden Retrievers 10 years ago. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come—and it made me stop and reflect on this incredible journey.
Over the past decade, our family has grown and changed:
Noah, our oldest, is now a sophomore in college.
Elijah, our middle son, will be graduating high school in just a few months.
Our original dogs, Biscuit and Bella, passed away last year.
And in June, our family will be moving to Texas.
As our Montana chapter comes to a close, we want to make sure anyone looking for a Golden Retriever puppy from us has a chance with our current litter. We have 5 boys and 4 girls, and three of the girls already have deposits. If you’re interested in reserving a puppy or scheduling a visit, now is the time to reach out.
Here’s the plan for the rest of the year:
Sammy, the mom of this litter, will be rehomed once all her puppies are sold.
Buttercup will move with us to Texas, and she will have one final litter before we rehome Charlie.
For anyone looking for a 5-year-old male or female golden—or potentially interested in breeding rights—or if you know friends or family in the DFW Metroplex area who want a puppy later this year, this is your chance.
Once Buttercup’s litter is sold in Texas, she’ll be spayed, and our breeding journey will come to a close. We’ll keep the Facebook page active because we love seeing your puppy updates, and we may continue the website as a Golden Retriever blog and merchandise hub—time will tell!
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with us. From our family to yours, we’re grateful for the love, support, and countless happy memories that these wonderful dogs have brought into our lives.
—The Oakes Family
Golden Retriever Puppy Development: Days 13–21
When the World Begins to Open
The period between days 13–21 marks one of the most exciting developmental stages in a Golden Retriever puppy’s life. This is the moment when puppies begin transitioning from a purely instinctive, sensory-limited existence into active engagement with the world around them.
In short: things get fun fast.
What Happens During Days 13–21?
During this window, several major developmental milestones occur almost simultaneously:
Eyes Open and Begin to Focus
By this stage, puppies’ eyes are fully open. While their vision is still developing, they can now perceive light, movement, and basic shapes—an essential step toward curiosity and learning.
Ears Open and Hearing Emerges
Puppies begin responding to sound for the first time. This early exposure lays groundwork for confidence, adaptability, and sound tolerance later in life.
Movement and Exploration
Those early, wobbly motions quickly turn into intentional crawling and early walking. Puppies start exploring their environment, interacting more with littermates, and discovering boundaries.
Early Social Awareness
This stage introduces the first layers of social development. Puppies become aware of siblings, begin early play behaviors, and respond more meaningfully to gentle human interaction.
Why This Stage Matters
Days 13–21 help form the foundation for what Golden Retrievers are beloved for:
✔ Gentle temperament
✔ Intelligence and responsiveness
✔ Strong people-oriented bonding
Positive handling, calm environments, and attentive care during this period support emotional stability and confidence as puppies grow.
Our Puppies Right Now
Our Golden Retriever puppies are currently in this developmental window—eyes open, ears tuned in, and personalities beginning to emerge. Each day brings noticeable growth, curiosity, and connection.
If you’re considering adding a Golden Retriever to your family, this stage marks the very beginning of that lifelong story: loyalty, joy, and companionship wrapped in a golden coat.
For more information on availability, pricing, or reservations, feel free to reach out through our contact page. We’re always happy to answer questions and share more about our puppies.
(Warning: once you see them at this stage, self-control becomes optional.)
🐾 Litter Update: Golden Retriever Puppies Are Going Fast! 🐾
Just four days ago, we welcomed a beautiful litter of 9 Golden Retriever puppies — 4 girls and 5 boys. It’s amazing how quickly things are moving!
As of today, 3 of the 4 females already have deposits placed, which means there’s only one female left. That’s right — in less than a week, 33% of the litter has been spoken for, including 75% of the females!
If you’ve been dreaming of bringing home a Golden Retriever puppy, now is the time to act.
📅 First visit/selection appointment: February 24 @ 11:00 AM (when the puppies turn 4 weeks old)
💰 Deposits accepted via Venmo
Reserve your puppy today by messaging us or placing a deposit.
For more information, visit:
🌐 Oakes Family Golden Retrievers
🌐 Facebook Page
These puppies are already winning hearts — don’t miss your chance to welcome one into your family! 💛
Deposits are Now Being Accepted
The Golden News Is In 🐾
Nine Golden Retriever Puppies Have Arrived!
It’s official—our home (and hearts) are a whole lot fuller. We’re thrilled to announce that our latest Golden Retriever litter has arrived, and all nine puppies are healthy, happy, and already stealing the show.
Here’s the breakdown:
9 puppies total
5 boys and 4 girls
2 of the girls already have deposits, so things are moving quickly!
Visiting & Selection
The earliest visit and puppy selection appointment will be Tuesday, February 24. This is a great chance to meet the pups, see their personalities starting to shine, and find the one that fits your family just right.
Deposits
Deposits are now being accepted via Venmo to reserve your place in the selection order.
If you’re ready to add a little golden fluff, a lot of joy, and maybe some extra fur on your clothes to your life, I’d love to hear from you. Just send me a message to get started 🐶✨
For more photos, updates, and additional details, visit:
👉 www.oakesfamilygoldenretrievers.com
👉 facebook.com/oakesfamilygoldenretrievers
Fair warning: once you meet them, resistance is futile. 💛
Puppy News: Sammy Welcomes 9 Golden Retriever Puppies
Our almost 5-year-old Golden Retriever, Sammy, has welcomed a litter of nine healthy puppies.
We’re excited to share some joyful news from our home!
Our almost 5-year-old Golden Retriever, Sammy, has welcomed a litter of nine healthy puppies. Mom and pups are all doing very well, and our days are currently filled with tiny paws, soft whimpers, and more smiles than sleep.
Sammy has been a wonderful, attentive mom, and it’s been a gift to watch these puppies grow day by day. If you’ve ever been around Golden Retrievers, you know they have a way of filling a home with warmth, loyalty, and joy—and this litter is already living up to that reputation.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about these puppies, feel free to message me directly. I’m happy to share details and answer questions.
Thanks for celebrating this happy season with us, and for any prayers for continued health for Sammy and her puppies. More updates (and likely photos) to come—because resisting puppy pictures is not one of our spiritual gifts. 🐶💛