Ballard Gun Dogs
- Alba, TX
- Responds within a few days
Meet the breeder
I'm Katie B., the breeder behind Ballard Gun Dogs located in Alba, TX. Our dogs are family-raised and bred for versatility, ability, and drive. They are very trainable and can excel in the field and in the competition ring. We breed both to provide families with loving and capable companions and to improve upon our dogs' fantastic traits with each generation.
Q. & A. with Katie
Why did you start breeding?
I was introduced to this breed in 2013 my husband Justin had told me about how great they were. He hunted behind GSPs for years & even raised a few for himself along with a small quail operation. I bought my first GSPs in late 2013, they ended up going on to be guide dogs and were sold for such. In 2014 we got Lady our foundation bitch and primary hunting dog. She has been our #1 ever since.What makes your program special?
As a breeder I strive to preserve the instincts & abilities of the GSP, while taking temperament, ability, health, & structure into consideration. The goal is for our dogs to be able to "do it all" but still have that "Off Switch" in the house and be a loving family companion. We raise them to be bold, social, friendly, playful, obedient, loyal & loving dogs.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include white and liver, liver roan, liver and white, liver, black and white, black, and black roan. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and a kennel on my property.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Jett
Went homeFemale
Maverick
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Katie
Katie has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $500 deposit and between $1,000 - $1,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“AKC Registration, AKC Reunite Microchip, Lifetime Health Guarantee, Puppy Pack, Age Appropriate Vet Care & Vaccinations. Puppies are all very well socialized with ENS & Puppy Culture. Deposits are $500 (deducted from final cost), this is to hold your spot for a puppy once litters are born. This is non refundable unless some other agreement has been arranged.”
Contract & health guarantee
Katie may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Katie offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Katie directly.
Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more
What’s included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
- Microchip
Extras
- Toys
- Initial potty training
- Puppy starter kit
- Food & treats
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Katie.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Alba, TX
5085 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at Tyler Pounds Airport
5100 miles away
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More about Katie
Club memberships
Katie is a member of German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America.
Certifications & recognitions
AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T..
Katie has been a member of Good Dog for about 3 years
Katie was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.
Katie is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Ballard Gun Dogs meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Cricut, mom
German Shorthaired Pointer
About Cricut
Cricut is an excellent female representation of the breed, not too heavy with a balanced build, adequate bone and the best coat. She is a pleaser and is just as good in the show ring as in the field. There was so much missed time with her due to covid, she finished later and could have been a lot more competitive in the field had more time been given to her training. She has a natural retrieve and does not shy from anything. She is a proven producer and has produced not only in the field, but also in the duck pond, agility ring, and has even produced an exceptional multi-tasking service dog.
Quill, mom
German Shorthaired Pointer
About Quill
Quill is a female German Shorthaired Pointer. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Katie decided to make her part of their program. Katie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Gunner, dad
German Shorthaired Pointer
About Gunner
Gunner is a male German Shorthaired Pointer. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Katie decided to make him part of their program. Katie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
Ballard Gun Dogs reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for German Shorthaired Pointers.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Thyroid (Autoimmune Thyroiditis, registered with OFA), Brucellosis
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
von Willebrand Disease II (vWD II), Lupoid Dermatosis (LD), Hyperuricosuria (HUU), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), Animal Genetics Panel, DNA Disease Panel, Cone Degeneration, German Shorthaired Pointer Type
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
