I'm Christy L., the breeder behind Spring River Kennel located in Mount Vernon, MO. We are a farm-based kennel in Southwest, MO. We believe in breed standards, intelligence in the field, and loving personality in our dogs. We participate in both NAVHDA and AKC field events. Health testing is a priority to us. We are passionate about this breed and only look to improve it!
Q. & A. with Christy
Why did you start breeding?
The love of hunting ultimately got me into breeding. Two of my favorite things is being outdoors, and dogs- what a perfect match the German Shorthair made. The first gun dog I hunted with was my husband's lab, after that I knew I wanted a dog of my own. The love of the breed, the standards, and the work that goes into breeding drew me toward it.
What makes your program special?
Being small and farm-based makes my kennel unique. Socialization with livestock, kids, and visitors, helps our dogs become excellent family, adventure, and field dogs. I love a nice solid broad head with dark round eyes, accented with a high set straight tail, with emphasis on brains and a nose. Trainability, loyalty, family, active, intelligent- are all words that encompass my kennel.
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.
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Girl 4
Went home
Female
Girl 5
Went home
Female
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Getting a puppy from Christy
Christy 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 non-refundable deposit and $1,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“Price includes- dew claw removal, tail docking, vaccines, deworming, full AKC registration, microchip, starter food, and a folder with all paperwork and send home information. A $500 non refundable deposit must be placed on the puppy sex of your choice. Picking goes in order of deposit received. The balance is due at day of pick up.”
Contract & health guarantee
Christy 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 Christy 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 Christy directly.
Spring River Kennel 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
Raven, mom
German Shorthaired Pointer
About Raven
Raven is a female German Shorthaired Pointer almost 8 years old. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Christy decided to make her part of their program. Christy 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.
Good health testing
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA), Hip Dysplasia Finals (OFA, PennHIP, BVA, SV, FCI).
Annie, mom
German Shorthaired Pointer
About Annie
Annie is a female German Shorthaired Pointer. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Christy decided to make her part of their program. Christy 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
Great level
Spring River Kennel 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.
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.
Full Embark Panel, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 8 (NCL8), Australian Shepherd Type, Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS), Cone Degeneration, German Shorthaired Pointer Type, von Willebrand Disease II (vWD II)
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).
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.