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Reputable Breeders In Texas

52K views 66 replies 25 participants last post by  Texas4fam 
#1 ·
I live in the Kerrville Texas area and would prefer to drive up to 500 miles to pick up a dog instead of going the airport route.
Do any of you know of some good Texas Breeders that I might contact? I also am not tied to the idea of a puppy, I would be just as interested in an older Golden. Any help is appreciated.
 
#3 ·
We just picked up our third puppy from the breeder, Colleen Maddox at Dogwood Springs Golden Retrievers in Lindale which is between Dallas and Tyler. Her dogs are incredible but her prices have gone up since our first puppy we got from her back in '98. Our new baby was $1800. He is by far the fluffiest of the pups we bought from Dogwood Sprgs. Colleen's dogs have the best personalities and lately she has put great emphasis on the coat. Anyway, hope you find the breeder that works for you.
 
#6 ·
I don't know where Kerrville is or if you're still looking for a puppy (it has been a month since you posted this and you haven't come back), but Emery Goldens near Houston just confirmed by x-ray some puppies due shortly. It's a nice breeding, imho. Emery has a Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/EmeryGoldens

Here is a link to the pedigree. Pedigree: Presto x Sapphire

The sire is Presto


And the dam is Sapphire.


I'd get in touch with Brianna. I know she has at least one puppy available as of today.
 
#8 ·
update thread? Reputable Breeders in Texas

Anyone have input regarding Texas breeders :
The Blair Farms-English Cream Golden Retrievers, Scion Golden Retreivers or Wyndance English-type Goldens?

Is the Blair Farms any relation to Sydney Blair referred to in the 2014 negative postings? May just be an unfortunate same name situation.
 
#12 ·
Anyone have input regarding Texas breeders :
The Blair Farms-English Cream Golden Retrievers, Scion Golden Retreivers or Wyndance English-type Goldens?

Is the Blair Farms any relation to Sydney Blair referred to in the 2014 negative postings? May just be an unfortunate same name situation.
The Blair Farms has their OFA links on their faq page. My cousin actually got a puppy from them and she’s the cutest little thing!! But they charge $3000 for their pups, which is too high for me.
 
#9 ·
The Blair Farms does not look like a good option. Lots of red flags, the biggest is hiding registered names that allow for health certification verification to be done.

Wyndance has no information and apparently no dogs to breed. So maybe in a few years they might be an option.

I personally would gladly contact Scion if I lived in your area.
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
Amica Goldens breeds some beautiful dogs in Texas, as well as Contigo Goldens and Blue Print Goldens. Texas is just full of beautiful retrievers.
 
#18 ·
Hi! I just found this board and this thread. We had a Golden up until last May when she passed away at 13. I think I may finally be ready to get another one, but am shopping around for reputable breeders. We live in Plano and just read back on these posts. It looks like Scion Golden Retrievers got the most recommendations. Anyone have any recent experience with them? I filled out their questionnaire and am waiting for a response. I also contacted Colleen and Scott at Dogwood Springs.

Thank you for any input!
 
#19 ·
I recently drove to Texas from Indiana to get my second golden. Teresa McKenna at ElkCreek Goldens is an ethical breeder and an exceptional puppy rearer. She uses Avi Dog socialization and testing. I don’t know of any litters in the works, but if you are looking for a reputable breeder, she would be worth the wait. She has a beautiful male who just got his grand champ so she might be able to lead you to a litter that he sires. She does have a website and a FB page.

Good luck!
 

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#20 ·
Google the GR group in Dallas (DFW)... they have a breeder referral site. But whoever you choose be sure & check for UTD OFA clearances. Colleen Maddox is a sweetheart, her dogs are wonderful but check eyes carefully back several generations. She has uveal cyst, cataracts, distichiasis and PU in her lines. I have one of her girls, wonderful dog but cannot pass an eye clearance. She has all three problems & more but so far no PU.

Scion and Amica are really great breeders but down around the Austin area. Dogwood Springs is near Tyler but the referral page has at least a dozen breeders in the Dallas/Lavon/Plano area.
 
#22 ·
Google the GR group in Dallas (DFW)... they have a breeder referral site. But whoever you choose be sure & check for UTD OFA clearances. Colleen Maddox is a sweetheart, her dogs are wonderful but check eyes carefully back several generations. She has uveal cyst, cataracts, distichiasis and PU in her lines. I have one of her girls, wonderful dog but cannot pass an eye clearance. She has all three problems & more but so far no PU.

Scion and Amica are really great breeders but down around the Austin area. Dogwood Springs is near Tyler but the referral page has at least a dozen breeders in the Dallas/Lavon/Plano area.

Thank you! I am just getting started researching breeders within driving distance (and the Austin area qualifies). We got lucky with Jenny - she was the perfect dog, but we didn't get her from a breeder. Frankly, I'm a little nervous about dealing with breeders, but I'm thinking this is the route I want to go with our next Golden. Thank you again!
 
#24 ·
Billie Cannon is a wonderful lady and yes they have bred together for years. I believe she raises horses and has a ranch near Tyler. Most of her own dogs do therapy work. She often lectures and is just a delightful person. I have a friend with one of her dogs... They have discovered a heart murmur that must be monitored yearly. Think it was discovered at age 6. With limited exercise it seems to be ok and so far no medication required but if she plays with their other dog too hard she starts having problems, tongue starts turning blue and heart rate goes up as the heart is having to work really hard and she can't catch her breath.
Not sure this dog has ever had it's eyes examined so who knows if this is also a problem.

When looking at eye clearances (and Colleen is pretty good about keeping up with k9data/ofa) you need to be looking at more than just the sire and dam. People here will be happy to help you but look on OFA.org and look at several generations (at least 4) and all the siblings/half siblings. Because there are eye issues you need to see if any of the offspring have problems and look closely at the sire of Billie's litter. If the sire is one of Colleen's dogs you want to make sure the same issues don't run in both lines.
 
#27 ·
Nick is my girls grandpa
You can see that he has uveal cyst & cataracts... his dam had PU. She failed the last eye exam but she was older so don't know if this is because of the uveal cyst or age related.
https://www.ofa.org/advanced-search?f=sr&appnum=1532360 (eye history)

Sprite also has uveal cyst and C1:Corneal Dystrophy - Epithelial/Stromal I would need to research this one.....
https://www.ofa.org/advanced-search?f=sr&appnum=1774666 (eye history)

I would be very cautious but my perspective is tainted because of all the issues we have had. To me this is doubling up on a problem. Maybe one of the breeders with more knowledge & experience can offer a less bias opinion. I haven't checked the relatives.
 
#28 ·
#32 ·
Hi! I'm in Houston and would be happy to try to help you find a puppy. Theresa Yeager has a litter now and might have something available but I'm not sure: Theresa Yeager
Silverhill Golden Retrievers
Theresa.yeager@verizon.net
Silverhill Goldens ? Show and Working Goldens

The litter is her Rainier and Emma. You'll have to look them up in k9data and OFA but she is very, very nice and loves her dogs.

As for the eye exams, I think some things just aren't visible on the day. I've seen a lot dogs have something like a uveal cyst or distichasis at one exam and the next year it's not detected. PU is definitely a fail and something I want to avoid but on other eye issues, I generally like to find out if it's ever been an issue for the dog and I usually take into account the age of onset as well. I do agree that I would prefer not to double up on any one issue though.
 
#38 ·
This is Colleen,
Nick had cysts in 2013 and 2014. He has been clear of cysts every year since then and was checked again in February of this year. He does have a little punctate spot on his left eye that is not hereditary.

Sprite was Normal with no breeder options at her last ophthalmologist checkup. At one point she did have something on her lens that Dr Ring(ophthalmologist) said was high cholesterol crystals deposited there. She suggested a food with less fat and Viola! She was normal at her next check up.
 
#39 ·
Thanks CFM for a better understanding, I'm still learning about uveal cyst and of course OFA is very black & white so doesn't give the entire context of what maybe going on. This of course is why potential buyers should always allow breeders to address concerns. All anyone of us on the forum can do is tell you what OFA has posted and why it's important to look at the history.

At one point I posted a dog from Billie had a heart murmur, this was a fact without full understanding of all that was involved. I suggested these people contact the breeder but no way to know if this was done. I also suggested in having an echo done and last time we spoke I believe it was scheduled but have not heard the results. Here again I should get all my information current before making a post and sorry if this caused concern to anyone. It was simply a fact... without knowing the diet or symptoms or anything else that may have contributed to this situation.
 
#42 ·
Cost? There is a saying that goes if you have to ask you shouldn't consider.
Texas is cheaper than most places, especially on the east & west coast but expect to pay $2,000 at least and probably more like $2500 to $2700.

But the quality of the puppy will be worth the cost. Good breeders breed according to the AKC breed standard. They will not have really long and lanky limbs as an adult, they grow to be the expect breed standard height. They will not have long snouts or miss placed or shaped ears or tails. They will come with generations of OFA health cleared history going back to Lord Tweedmouth... back to the beginning. They will have had professional temperament testing done at 7 weeks, wormed repeatedly according to the vets schedule. They will have a vet visit checking everything from the nose to tail to be sure there are no problems. They will have been started on potty training, nails & grooming, baths and car rides. They already have a ton of socialization and exposure to different things, people and surroundings. You will never have a golden that wants to bite, it will be built to do the job it was bred for... hunt, track, obedience, agility, rally or just be the best companion to your family. One of those dogs that fills your heart forever. Well as long as you provide the love and training. Even a well bred puppy doesn't speak people yet.

You can spend less and get less but my take on this is if you can't afford to get a golden that is well bred, save your money and adopt.... and get insurance. People/breeders that do nothing with their dogs but produce puppies & have no idea what a golden should be don't deserve my money... I'll rescue instead and save a life.
 
#43 ·
That’s nice. My question is still valid and has absolutely no bearing on whether or not I can afford a $3,000 golden. That is neither here nor there nor anyone’s business. Many breeders are transparent about the price on the websites and this one in particular is not. Therefor my question.
 
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