If you’ve ever cruised around Jeffersonville and Stowe, you may have come across a truck full of happy and health golden retrievers of all ages, colors and sizes: The Butternut Hill Golden Retrievers. They’re now local celebrities – perhaps the most famous beings in Vermont. I’ve been in Vermont for over 20 years now ,and I haven’t had the good fortune of running into them. But not for not trying! Alas, when I found out that 270-acre Golden Dog Farm Vermont in Jeffersonville was partnering with Butternut Hill for a golden experience during Vermont’s foliage season, I had to make a visit!

The reds, oranges, and yellows of Vermont fall with a backdrop of Mount Mansfield – plus a whole swarm of goldens? Count me in!

Have you met Vermont’s own Butternut Hill Golden Retrievers?

Golden Dog Farm Foliage Visit Experience

I arrived at 1:45pm on the first day of the experience to a group gathering around the farm’s “golden boutique” among their rows of grapes for the winery on site. Golden Dog Farm Vermont is only five minutes outside of downtown Jeffersonville. It’s just up the well-maintained dirt road from Stony Grove Orchard where you can pick your own apples or sample a cider donut. I took a back-roads drive into the farm through Cambridge, which rewarded me with absolutely stunning mountain and foliage views. Once at Gold Dog Farm, the private, stone-wall lined driveway leads you to a large barn where you park. Immediately the views of Mount Mansfield will let you know you’re in the right place for an amazing fall experience in Vermont.

After a few minutes getting to know where the group of visitors – ranging from Boston to Connecticut, New Jersey and even Texas – Dana from Butternut Hill pulled in. Immediately the ooohing and aaahing of us all started with golden heads and tongues popping out of the back of the truck. Meet Padraig, Ginger, Steve, Amber, Kimba, and other Butternut Hill Retrievers, who are eager to meet you and play too!

We gave them pets and met 11-week out Bauer who immediately made friends with resident Golden Dog Farm, Lenny. After individual photos with the truck, it was time to unleash the hounds, literally! Immediate laughter and joy from everyone watching. The 13 Butternut Hill goldens came barreling out of the back of the truck – so happy to run free. All were running around, meeting farm visitors, sitting down for pets, or rolling around in the lush grass – definitely having the time of their lives. There were many laughs, many smiles and many worn-out Butternut Hill Golden Retrievers during the afternoon visit. And what a serotonin boost it was! Almost better than Christmas morning…

Golden Dog Farm Maple Syrup, Honey & Dog Boutique, Oh My!

We tasted Golden Dog Farm honey and maple syrup samples – all made at the farm. And we also enjoyed sips of local apple cider and Stony Grove cider donuts – the best taste of Vermont fall! After some shopping at the dog boutique, complete with six or seven of the Butternut Hill goldens joining me inside, I had some more selfies and snuggles with the dogs… And I made sure to take a moment to truly appreciate the stunning mountain views in both directions from the farm.

So what should you know about the Butternut Hill Golden Retrievers meet-and-greet experience at Golden Dog Farm? Here are tips for collecting this unique Vermont life experience!

Tips for Visiting Golden Dog Farm

• This Vermont farm and golden retriever experience is brand new! This was the first day they offered it. After a viral Tiktok post, they had a waiting list of over 200 people for this weekend.
• Golden Dog Farm in Vermont does offer farm tours. Soon they will be offering beekeeping tours as well.
• The owners, Doug and Beth, hinted at Butternut Hill Dog pool parties perhaps in the future!
• The fall farm visits will be running by ticketed appointment on Saturday and Sundays (with a few Fridays). Farm visits will be booked through the end of October. Golden Dog Farm owner, Doug, mentioned they may extend it depending on interest and how the Vermont weather hangs on.
• Tickets for the Golden Retriever experience are purchased online through their website.
• Tickets cost $75 per person for the afternoon experience, on-site samplings, access to their stunning private farm, and a goodie bag to take home. Book early. The sessions will sell out this fall!
• While visiting, stock up on Golden Dog Farm swag (t-shirts, hoodies, hats), candles, bumper stickers and tons of other Vermont goodies. These are the perfect gifts for dog lovers. Swag is also available on their website.
• The Golden Dog Farm maple syrup made at the farm is single-sourced from their 4,500 taps in the sugarwoods just down the road from Smugglers’ Notch. It’s wood-fired is small batches. There’s no blending or infusions. Bonus – the branding is perfect for a Vermont and golden retriever lover! (I may have stocked up on some holiday gifts.)
• In the future, Golden Dog Farm will be offering the ability for you to sponsor a tree in their maple grove in memory of a beloved pet. Love this!

Meet the Butternut Hill Golden Retrievers

• Not one Butternut Hill Golden Retrievers had a collar or leash on during our foliage visit. All were responsive to a whistle or their name called; all eager to chase a tennis ball and snuggle in for pets. They initially kept close to Daddy Dana too.
• A tennis ball, treat, or belly scratch is definitely the way to their hearts. Seeing them all run after a single ball hit with a tennis racket was sight to see.
• Many of the Butternut Hill Goldens are related, as Butternut Hill is a leading breeder of golden retrievers in New England. They had 22 pups born this summer!
• Butternut Hill also hosts dogs at their four-acre farm. Here, your pet can experience golden pack life and 24/7 care for only $25 a night! This Camp Butternut experience is a great one for dog socialization in the care of a dog lovers’ home.
• Butternut Hill has been breeding their dogs since 1988 with 1-2 litters a year. They are members of the Golden Retriever Club of America and believe in raising the puppies in a pack setting and exposing them to safe Vermont experiences as youngsters.
• Owner Dana shared with me that the golden retriever-filled truck and visits started as a way to socialize the pups… As they live remotely with no neighbors. Since then, for 20 years, he’s been taking them around Vermont and into Stowe for interactions for him and the dogs!
• Want the book the pups for a special event? You can book the Butternut Goldens starting at $200!

Looking for another dog-lovers’ activity in Vermont? Be sure to visit Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury for 15-acres of off-leash trails, the famed Dog Chapel, and gallery of Stephen Huneck’s Vermont dog artwork.

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