✨Breeder Spotlight: Golden Dreams in Small Packages

Thank you, Laura Shorter, of Pocket Full of Sunshine Miniature Golden Retrievers in Ohio, for sharing your words of wisdom with the TellTail community.

Pocket Full of Sunshine specializes in breeding Miniature Golden Retrievers, combining the charm of Goldens with smaller breeds, and is dedicated to responsible breeding, lifelong support for clients, and the belief in the transformative power of dogs in human lives.

💡 Interested in being in the spotlight, or wish to nominate a friend? Email us at hello@telltail.com

What is so special about Miniature Golden Retrievers?

Miniature Golden Retrievers are a specialty crossbreed. While combinations may vary from breeder to breeder, all Mini Golden Retrievers contain Golden Retriever and one or two smaller breeds to bring down the size.

At Pocket Full of Sunshine MIniature Golden Retrievers, our lines contain Golden Retriever, King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and a small amount of Miniature Poodle to bring down the shedding. We strive to maintain the personality and coat of the Golden, but in a smaller package. They are not hypoallergenic but do not require intensive grooming as a doodle would. Our adult dogs range in size from 20-40 pounds depending on the size of the parents. Our Minis's are active and enjoy time with their people, as well as other dogs and children. They thrive on training, cuddling and interaction with their humans. They excel with family life and enjoy work as as psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals.

They are clowny, loyal and affectionate bringing "sunshine" to all everywhere they go!

What questions do you ask your potential buyers? 

We ask all families to fill out an application for the program. Additionally, I like to do a zoom call and get to know a prospective puppy owner and share details about our program. My relationship with my clients goes well beyond puppy go home day, so a personal connection is vital. In addition to a 2 year health guarantee with an optional 3 year extension, I am always available for the life of the dog to assist with guidance on health, training or other concerns. WhIle I am not a veterinarian or professional dog trainer, I can connect clients with resources as needed.

I like to ask questions about experience with dogs and puppies in general. Any background with retrievers is good to know about as they have some distinctive traits. While we avoid the working lines in our breeding program, retrievers in general and puppies specifically are "mouthy" and like to explore their world by licking, chewing and carrying objects. Without proper supervision and opportunities for exercise and chewing, they can struggle with restlessness and destructive tendecies. With the right environment they are confident, happy and biddable.

In the event that a family is looking for a service dog candidate, we have additional conversations that are specific to that situation. This includes a documented diagnosis, a training plan including a trainer in place, a support person to help with the dog and specific tasks identified to mitigate the person's disability.

​Why do you love being a dog breeder?

People ask me why my husband, Mark and I, raise these sweet little dogs. We believe in enriching Lives and bringing hope, one dog a time.

As a child, I saw the benefit of a dog firsthand as a comforting presence. My parents taught me early on about responsible pet ownership, training, and daily care. I grew up with dogs and cats and found them to be excellent playmates and a comfort during rough patches of my childhood. My sister was eight and a half years my senior, and in many ways, I grew up as an only child. I was identified with ADHD, and I struggled with anxiety and depression from my early years. I knew I was different from other kids. 

While I had friends and was able to function, it was a struggle; I found the soothing presence of animals to be a place of unconditional acceptance and love. One dog in particular, Pete, was my constant companion and she helped me to get grounded again at home so I could go out and take part in school and activities. 

I have a background in mental health and have always worked with children, many with special needs. It only made sense to help provide service, therapy, and faculty dogs as well as pets to people who can benefit from the power of a dog in their lives. 

Pocket Full of Sunshine is dedicated to connecting with individuals and families to help find the right dog for them. We use The Empowered Badass Breeder full program: advanced BAB service dog curriculum, the Empowered BAB Puppy Temperament Testing and the book "Raising the Empowered Puppy" to create a smooth transition for puppy to their new home. While we have priority placement for assistance dog candidates, we also enjoy working with emotional support animal and pet placements.

What challenges do you face as a dog breeder?

Frankly, the biggest challenge of being a dog breeder is twofold: exhaustion and Isolation. 

Breeding is my passion and I have to remember to "clock off" for periods of time every day. SInce this isn't a 8-5 job, I have to take respite when I can get it. There is always something I could be doing with my program. Without rest and time to enjoy life outside of breeding, I would burn out quickly. Selfcare can be thrown to the wayside when delivering a litter of puppies all night or caring for days on end for a pup who is struggling. Taking time to eat, sleep and exercise are needed to have the stamina to move forward with my mission to help others. I have learned to ask for help when needed and take time to assist others who are going through a tough period in their program.

This job can get lonely! I make time every day to chat with friends and invest in my relationships. Time with other breeders to collaborate, problem solve and laugh and cry about the ups and down of raising dogs is like a balm to my heart.  I have benefitted from several mentors in my own life and reach out to other professionals in the field whenever possible. 

While the dog world has brought me valuable life-long friendships, time with my family and other friends is as essential as air and water. My husband Mark and I have felt so much support from our family and friends and make time for them regularly.

What advice do you have for aspiring breeders?

The biggest investment you can make in your program is to do full health testing to Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) Standards. The AKC has lists of tests each breed should have completed before parent dogs are bred. You can get more information here. https://ofa.org/chic-programs/ While full health testing is expensive and time consuming, these results will not only assist you in selecting which dogs are suitable to be bred, but also which pairings would be best for health.  Hold health of your litters as the most important goal, then temperament and finally physical appearance. 

In addition, learn from any and all mentors who will have you! Take classes online and in person and educate yourself. Topics such as Labor & Delivery, Nutrition, Puppy Enrichment, Dog Training, Health and Wellness and Even sanitation are areas to get as much information as possible to be responsible in your breeding program.