Cindy
Founder of Westwing Retrievers
Cindy has been involved in the assistance dog industry for over 20 years, founding two assistance dog organizations and raising three wonderful children along the way. She is deeply committed to breeding exceptional assistance and companion dogs, particularly Golden Retrievers, many of whom go on to serve as therapy, facility, and service dogs. Cindy also enjoys competing with her Golden Retrievers and Clumber Spaniels in a wide range of AKC events. As the owner of Westwing Retrievers and a member of the Valle del Sol Golden Retriever Club, Cindy shares her knowledge and passion with the community, inspiring new generations of dog enthusiasts.
Our Mission
We breed the full range of golden retriever shades, from very light cream and blonde to dark red, and every line, light or dark, comes from assistance-dog and performance backgrounds. What we select for above color is temperament: a calmer, lower-arousal golden with an off switch. Cindy calls them her marshmallows. They still love a hike and a game of fetch, but at home they settle, which is why so many of our puppies go on to work as therapy, facility, and service dogs, and why families with young kids keep coming back.
Our Story
At Westwing Retrievers our dogs are cherished members of our family, living and being raised in our homes to experience all aspects of family life. We meticulously select our breeding lines to ensure the healthiest outcomes possible. Our goal is to provide puppies with great demeanors, robust health, and the joy of being a wonderful new addition to your family.
Located in Peoria, Arizona, in the Phoenix West Valley, with litters raised in our Peoria and Scottsdale homes, we pride ourselves on our family-centered approach to breeding. Our puppies are born and nurtured in a loving environment, exposed to an active home life that aids in their smooth transition to their forever homes. We are committed to the Puppy Culture program, with Westwing Retrievers being the first Certified Puppy Culture Golden Retriever breeder in AZ.
Health Testing
Every one of our breeding dogs is health tested before being bred, with hip, elbow, heart, and eye clearances on file with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Good Dog, which reviews breeders’ health records independently, rates Westwing Retrievers “Excellent” for health testing, and we are an AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeder. We don’t publish our dogs’ registered names or test results online, but we share full pedigrees and OFA records with approved applicants.
Clumber Spaniels
Alongside our goldens, Cindy also breeds and competes with Clumber Spaniels. Clumber litters are occasional, at most one a year, so if you’re looking for a Clumber Spaniel puppy from an Arizona breeder, please apply and tell us, and we’ll let you know when a litter is planned.
A note on color, and a term you’ll see online
You’ll see the phrase “English Cream Golden Retriever” all over the internet. It isn’t a breed, a color, or anything the AKC recognizes; it’s a sales term. What people usually mean is a light-colored golden from European lines, and that is what our assistance-dog lines are. We also breed darker red goldens for active families and dog sports. Whatever shade you’re drawn to, we’d rather talk about temperament first.