About Risa's Goldens

My name is Risa Conard. I am the third child in a family with 6 children. I got my first Golden when I was 9.  I am now 20 years old and have grown up around dogs and puppies. My mother raises English Springer Spaniels and we children have been involved in raising puppies as long as I can remember.

I am now a junior at the University of Kansas.  I don't have as much free time now, so my mother has the primary position of taking care of the puppies and answering emails.  I do find time to play with the puppies, however!  Things I enjoy the most, other than dogs and puppies, are studying foreign languages, traveling abroad, shopping with friends, attending church, babysitting and working for my dad at his law office. 

Risa is now back at the University of Kansas after studying abroad in the country of Costa Rica.

Easter Sunday 1996, my mother and I traveled to a spot on I-70 west of Kansas City where we anxiously awaited our rendezvous with Sharon Rosenkoetter of Hillside Goldens. She was returning from a dog show and agreed to meet us as she passed through Kansas City on her way home. Among the dogs she was carrying in her van was the most adorable puppy I had ever seen. We were so excited to receive such an outstanding show quality puppy which became my "Goldie".

What anticipated my getting a Golden was my experience in 4-H dog obedience class. When I was 7 or 8 yrs. old, I began dog obedience classes. Our Springers were older and set in their ways and didn't seem to enjoy this "new" experience. A number of people in the class had Golden Retrievers and were very enthusiastic about how well their Golden Retrievers took to obedience training. My mother thought that I might enjoy having a Golden to train. After some investigating, we were able to purchase a puppy from a well-known show breeder.

My Goldie had several litters of puppies for us. We kept a female from her last litter that I was able to raise from birth. Her name is Risa's Golden Honey, better known as "Honey". She has had several litters of beautiful puppies for us.  We also have Risa's Chloe D'Oro and 3 new young show quality females that will be having litters for us in the future.

Others deserving credit are my mother and my little sisters. We believe that socialization of puppies is so important, and with little sisters, my puppies get lots of attention!