About Us: Dog Breeder in IL
💛 Our Story
Our journey as a responsible dog breeder in IL began in 2019, when we followed our dream of working with dogs. What started as a small family passion quickly grew into a full-time calling — raising exceptional Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles for loving homes across the country. We are endlessly thankful for the opportunity to share our hearts and our home with these wonderful breeds.
🐶 Our Breeds
We specialize in Golden Retrievers and Mini Goldendoodles, breeds known for their intelligence, loyalty, and gentle temperaments. These pups are playful, affectionate, and eager to please — the perfect addition to any family. Every puppy we raise is bred for sound health, excellent conformation, and well-balanced personalities.
🌱 Early Development & Socialization
From the very beginning, our puppies receive the best possible start. We use Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and early scent introduction to help build confident, resilient dogs. Socialization starts early too — our puppies are gently introduced to new sights, sounds, people, and environments. By 7–8 weeks, they’re familiar with toys, basic leash exposure, and everyday family life (including lots of cuddles from our kids!).
🏡 Certified Care & Training Options
We’re proud to be Canine Care Certified and members of the Responsible Dog Breeder program, ensuring that every puppy is raised in a healthy, loving environment that meets the highest standards of ethics and care.
For families who want a smoother transition, we also offer a puppy training package, designed to give your new best friend a strong foundation in manners and obedience before coming home.
🌻 Life Beyond the Kennel
We’re not just a dog breeder in IL, we’re your puppy’s first family. When we’re not with our dogs, you’ll find us outdoors — camping at Turkey Run State Park, golfing, hunting, or simply enjoying family time. Whether it’s Sarah bargain-hunting or Emily painting her next masterpiece, we find joy in life’s simple moments.
❤️ Our Promise
At the heart of everything we do is love — for our dogs, our family, and the families who welcome our puppies into their homes. Our mission is simple: to raise healthy, happy, and well-socialized Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles that bring years of joy and companionship to your family.
Our Licensing and Certifications
Sunset Paw Babies is a fully licensed and inspected breeder, operating in compliance with all applicable federal regulations. We believe transparency and accountability are essential, and we are proud to share our credentials with the families we work with.
USDA Certification
Sunset Paw Babies is a USDA-licensed Class A Breeder under the Animal Welfare Act and is regularly inspected to ensure proper animal care standards are met.
USDA Animal Care Certificate Number: 33-A-0628
License Status: Active (expires November 30, 2026)
Canine Care Certification
In addition to federal licensing, Sunset Paw Babies is a Canine Care Certified Breeder, a designation administered by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. This certification verifies that our breeding practices meet high standards for animal welfare, health, and responsible care through independent inspection and review.
Families interested in additional verification may view copies of our current licensing and certification documents below.
View Canine Care Certified Breeder Certificate (PDF)
Don’t see any puppies that fit your family right now?
If none of our puppies are the right match for your family today, you can reserve from an upcoming litter and be among the first to welcome your new family member.
Don’t see any puppies that fit your family right now?
If none of our puppies are the right match for your family today, you can reserve from an upcoming litter and be among the first to welcome your new family member.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are part of a network of responsible dog breeders. This means that we follow the strictest of standards for all our dogs and pups. To be on this network we adhere to the following:
• Vet-checked and updated on all vaccines and deworming
• Microchipping of all puppies
• Daily exercise schedule for all dogs and puppies
• Socialization schedule for all dogs and puppies
• Kennel license where applicable by law
• Certification of inspection from a 3rd party
Your deposit is fully refundable within a 48-hour window. Alternatively, you can transfer the deposit to reserve another puppy
Once a puppy is paid in full, refunds are not available, nor do we accommodate refunds for buyer’s remorse. Please review our health guarantee in our Refunds and Returns Policy page which includes a 30-day money-back health guarantee.
We want every puppy to go home happy and healthy. To ensure that all is well in its new environment, we ask that if possible you get your puppy checked by a vet within 10 days of going home. We also recommend not placing your puppy down on any grass where other dogs have gone to potty until your puppy is seen by a vet. To view the whole health guarantee, please visit our Refunds and Returns page
- Browse through the puppies and select the puppy you are interested in.
- You can click on the link to schedule a visit or you can request an in-person visit.
- You can leave a deposit or make a full payment on our website.
- Once payment is made, you will be asked to electronically sign the sales agreement and health guarantee.
- If you just make a deposit, you will need to log in before picking up your puppy to make the final payment. A link to make the final payment will also be in the deposit receipt email. All payments must be completed before you can take your puppy home.
We partner with Trupanion Pet Insurance to offer you a Go Home Day Offer. This is a free 30-day pet insurance policy that must be activated within 24 hours of picking up your pet. Once you make the final payment, you will get an email with all the information you need to sign up.