Criterion Kooikerhondjes
- Chattanooga, TN
- Responds within a few days
Upcoming litters
Planned Nederlandse Kooikerhondje litter
Due Feb. 2027
Meet the breeder
I'm Gretchen W., the breeder behind Criterion Kooikerhondjes located in Chattanooga, TN. As a conservation breeder and 20+ year Kooikerhondje enthusiast, I breed for health, temperament and genetic diversity. Born in my home in Tennessee, puppies are raised with Avidog and Puppy Culture protocols and introduced to performance event foundation work. See more at my websites.
Q. & A. with Gretchen
Why did you start breeding?
I have a zoology degree concentrating on conservation and reproductive biology from UC Davis and I did a residency with the Gamete Lab at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. I am also a Genex certified AI tech. These experiences led to an interest in management of our endangered Kooiker population via ARTs. Combined with recent changes to import laws, this has led me to pursue breeding.What makes your program special?
I consider myself a "conservation breeder" - my focus is on the longer-term survival of a healthy population of Kooikers. I make breeding decisions in an attempt to preserve genetic diversity, health, temperament and working ability in that order.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies are white and red. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and guardian homes.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Purple (Not available)
Went homeMale
Reef
Went homeMale
Green
Went homeFemale
Blue
Went homeFemale
Pink
Went homeFemale
Orange
Went homeMale
Yellow
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Gretchen
Gretchen 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.
Gretchen partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 7 weeks old.
Price
"Purchase includes microchips, insurance and DNA health testing. Families interested in a co-ownership for a free or reduced price should contact me directly."
Contract & health guarantee
Gretchen 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 Gretchen 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 Gretchen directly.
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
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
- Microchip
Extras
- Puppy starter kit
- Food & treats
- Basic obedience & manners
- Initial potty training
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Gretchen.
Breeder's location
Meet in Chattanooga, TN
4562 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at Lovell Field
4567 miles away
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Flexible meeting point
Gretchen can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Gretchen
Club memberships
Gretchen is a member of Kooikerhondje Club of the USA and Vereniging Het Nederlandse Kooikerhondje.
Gretchen has been a member of Good Dog for 12 months
Gretchen was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
Gretchen is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Criterion Kooikerhondjes 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
Paxton, dad
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
About Paxton
Paxton lives with Bridget in Northern California. We brought him from Estonia in the summer of 2023 and he has been crushing it ever since! He competes primarily in agility and conformation and is a very stable, friendly boy. He is just under 16".
Excellent health testing
Patellar Luxation, von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), +3 more.Maaike, mom
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
About Maaike
Maaike (Golden Gate Wildest Dream) is a four-year-old daughter of my Casper. She is a fantastic performance dog: she competes and has records in Flyball and Fast CAT. She is also a recreational bloodtracking dog with United Blood Trackers, and she trains also in agility, rally and nosework. She is fully health tested including non-required tests like CDDY and elbow dysplasia. She is a hard-working girl with a very typical temperament for a Kooiker.
Excellent health testing
Patellar Luxation, von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), +3 more.Hannie, mom
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
About Hannie
Hannie is our even-tempered girl from our Maaike x Theo litter and resides with Kelley and Vanoy in Maryland. She will likely train and compete in Flyball, conformation and Fast CAT. She is WM for polymyositis and CDDY/CDDY. Stay tuned for updates on her career!
Uploaded health tests
von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), Hereditary Necrotizing Myelopathy (ENM).Hazel, mom
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
About Hazel
Hazel is from our Theo x Maaike litter and resides in Northern California with Bridget. She will likely train in agility, nosework and conformation. She is WM for polymyositis and CDDY/N. Stay tuned for updates on her career!
Uploaded health tests
von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), Hereditary Necrotizing Myelopathy (ENM).Reef, dad
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
About Reef
Reef is the pick male from our Maaike x Theo litter and resides in South Carolina with Liz. He is the happiest, most enthusiastic and adventurous boy, and will be competing primarily in agility and conformation. He is WW for Polymyositis. Stay tuned for updates on his career!
Uploaded health tests
von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), Hereditary Necrotizing Myelopathy (ENM).
Parent health testing
Excellent level
Criterion Kooikerhondjes 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 Nederlandse Kooikerhondjes.
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.
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.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
Chondrodystrophy and IVDD Risk (CDDY-IVDD), DNA Disease Panel, Hereditary Necrotizing Myelopathy (ENM), von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I)
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).
