Golden retrievers are one of the most loved dog breeds in the world. They’re known for their kind eyes, friendly nature, and smart minds. But not all golden retrievers are raised the same way.
In a quiet town in Connecticut, a husband-and-wife team is working to make a difference in the lives of families and their future pets.
Ashley and Steve Kubik run The Golden Gals Connecticut, a small, family-based golden retriever breeding program in Bethany. Over the last 13+ years, they’ve focused on one clear goal: to raise healthy, well-tempered dogs who are ready to become someone’s lifelong companion.
IMAGE: UNSPLASH
A Mission That Started With A Passion
“We got into breeding because we really care about the breed,” says Ashley Kubik. “We wanted to help improve it, not just by health but by temperament. A golden retriever should be calm, confident, and loving.”
Ashley and Steve didn’t grow up in the dog breeding world. Their journey started with a love for animals and a commitment to doing things the right way. From day one, they agreed they would raise their dogs differently—without kennels, and with a strong focus on socialization and ethics.
“We raise all of our puppies in our home,” Ashley explains. “They live with us, around our kids, the noise, the mess—real life. That’s what prepares them for their future families.”
The Importance Of Socialization
One of the biggest things that separates Golden Gals from typical breeders is how their puppies are socialized from birth. The Kubiks believe early exposure is one of the most important parts of raising a stable, adaptable dog.
“Between 3 and 12 weeks is when their brains are wide open,” Ashley says. “That’s when we introduce them to everything—different people, surfaces, sounds, even small stressors. We want them to learn how to cope in a healthy way.”
This early training isn’t just for pets. Many of the puppies raised by the Kubiks go on to serve as therapy dogs, emotional support animals, and service companions for people with disabilities. These roles require calm, intelligent, and reliable dogs—traits that don’t happen by accident.
“It takes real work, every single day,” Ashley adds. “But the results speak for themselves. Our dogs are prepared for real-world situations.”
Ethics Over Everything
Ashley and Steve talk often about ethics. It’s one of the reasons they’ve never run a large-scale operation. Their focus is on quality, not quantity.
“We don’t believe in pumping out puppies,” Ashley says. “We believe in raising each one like it’s staying with us forever.”
Their dogs come from champion bloodlines and pass health tests for hips, eyes, heart, and more. But Ashley points out that health alone isn’t enough.
“Temperament matters just as much as health,” she says. “A dog can be physically perfect but emotionally unbalanced if it’s not raised right.”
Beyond The Sale: A Lifelong Relationship
The Kubiks don’t just hand over a puppy and disappear. They keep in touch with many of the families who adopt from them, offering advice and support for years after the sale.
“We see this as a lifelong relationship,” Ashley says. “We want families to feel like they can reach out any time—whether it’s training help or just a photo update.”
This attitude has helped Golden Gals build a solid reputation in and beyond Connecticut. Families often refer their friends, and many return for a second dog when the time is right.
A New Focus On Education
Recently, Golden Gals launched a blog to share what they’ve learned with a wider audience. The goal is to help more people understand what goes into raising a happy, healthy dog—whether they’re getting a golden retriever or another breed.
“There’s so much misinformation out there,” Ashley says. “People think love is enough, but dogs need structure, early training, and consistent care. We want to give people the tools to do it right.”
Topics range from house training and socialization to understanding dog behavior and feeding. The blog also includes behind-the-scenes insights from the Kubiks’ own process.
“It’s not about showing off,” Ashley says. “It’s about helping people build better relationships with their dogs.”
Golden Retrievers – Final Thoughts
Golden Gals Connecticut isn’t just another breeder. It’s a small operation with a big heart and a clear focus on raising dogs the right way—from day one to the day they leave for their forever homes.
Ashley and Steve Kubik are not in it for attention. Their work speaks quietly but strongly through the dogs they raise—and the families those dogs go on to support.
In Ashley’s words, “We’re not here to compete with anyone. We’re just trying to raise the kind of dogs we’d want in our own home. And that starts with love, patience, and doing things the right way.”
IMAGE: UNSPLASH
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