Top of the Hill Goldens
- Nixa, MO
- Responds within a few days
Upcoming litters
Planned Golden Retriever litter
Due Mar. 2026
Expected Goldendoodle litter
Due Sept. 2026
Meet the breeder
I'm Katie Z., the breeder behind Top of the Hill Goldens located in Nixa, MO. We are carrying on a legacy of five generations, providing some of the finest, healthiest, fun loving, and full of heart, AKC Golden Retrievers. This legacy of excellence is from our family to yours since 2004.
Q. & A. with Katie
Why did you start breeding?
When I was very young, I helped a lady do dog chores at her kennel. Playing with puppies every day and caring for all the dogs was the best thing ever! I continued to help her as age was starting to catch up to her. I learned a lot about best practices and was very grateful for her mentorship. I never opened a kennel, as for our family, we want to keep it small and special.What makes your program special?
Our puppies are very loved; We interact and play with them every day. By the time they are ready to go home, they are well adapted to family life. Our adult dogs are our beloved family members. We do not "retire" our adult dogs to other families. All our dogs that we use for breeding purposes have no known genetic diseases and show no signs of adverse hereditary conditions or congenital defects.What are the different breed sizes in your program?
Our Goldendoodle puppies are standard size. Sizes will vary depending on the parent dogs.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our Goldendoodle puppies are red. Golden Retriever puppies are dark golden. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Sunflower
Went homeFemale
Green Boy
Went homeMale
Ready Now
Went homeMale
Boy 3
Went homeMale
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Rose
Went homeFemale
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Primrose
Went homeFemale
Mr. Black
Went homeMale
Miss White
Went homeFemale
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, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.
Katie 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 6 weeks old.
Price
“AKC papers, micro-chipped with AKC Reunite ISO microchips, vaccinations, have a lifetime health guarantee against genetic diseases, a two year refund and replacement health guarantee, and vet checked. A deposit holds your picking spot or puppy. All deposits are refundable until a puppy is 2 weeks of age.”
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.
You’re protected
on Good Dog
When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.
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
- 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
- AKC registration
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Initial potty training
- Toys
- Food & treats
- Basic obedience & manners
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Katie.
Breeder's location
Meet in Nixa, MO
More about Katie
Katie has been a member of Good Dog for over 4 years
Katie was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.
Katie is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Top of the Hill Goldens 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
All breeds
Golden Retriever
Goldendoodle
Zarah Rose, mom
Golden Retriever
About Zarah Rose
Zarah is the picture of grace and affection. With her calm, gentle nature, she brings a sense of warmth and comfort to everyone she meets. Her silky, flowing coat gleams in the light, and her stunning golden eyes seem to hold endless kindness. Whether curled up at your side or strolling happily by your feet, she radiates loyalty and love, making her a truly treasured companion. Zarah and her Mom are both CHIC certified through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals ( OFA ) meaning their hip, elbows, heart and eyes have all passed screenings. We also Embark test all our dogs to eliminate common golden retriever diseases.
Good health testing
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA), Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), +2 more.
Maverick Blaze, dad
Golden Retriever
About Maverick Blaze
Maverick Blaze is the definition of athletic elegance. With his thick, long, silky coat and a regal mane that turns heads everywhere he goes, he’s as striking as he is charming. A true “velcro dog,” Maverick is happiest when he’s right in your personal space, soaking up love and attention. His boundless energy makes him the ultimate adventure companion—he can play fetch from sunrise to sunset, swims with enthusiasm, and bikes three miles by my side every single day. Whether in motion or snuggled close, Maverick’s devotion and vibrant spirit shine through in everything he does. *Maverick just started turning grey at 8 which is several years later than most Goldens. He also had his count tested at the University of Missouri in 2025 and still has very high counts. He is plenty athletic and is still throwing litters with 8-12 puppies.
Uploaded health tests
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA), Hip Dysplasia Finals (OFA, PennHIP, BVA, SV, FCI).
Bella Marie, mom
Goldendoodle
About Bella Marie
Bella is the absolute best! Inside she is cuddly and calm yet outside the zoomies come alive! She loves to play fetch, go on adventures, get all the love and affection and be by your side. She does not bark in the house and has a cute little ruff to let you know she needs to go outside. She is confident, athletic, beyond sweet and has such an amazing temperament. She is fully furnished and has minimal shedding. Red in color and is about 40 lbs. She has her OFAs in heart and eyes and is embark tested. Her Mom is a full blood AKC golden retriever who is CHIC certified. Dad is a full blooded AKC standard poodle with OFAs and embark tested as well.
Good health testing
Full Embark Panel, Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA), +1 more.
Autumn, mom
Golden Retriever
About Autumn
Meet Autumn – A True Gem in Our Breeding Program Autumn is the perfect balance of affectionate companionship and athletic spirit. Indoors, Autumn is calm, cuddly, and incredibly loyal—always eager to snuggle and never anxious. Outdoors, her playful and agile nature shines as she delights in running, exploring, and participating in agility activities. She is a fifth-generation beauty from our carefully selected lineage, representing years of thoughtful breeding. Autumn stands on the smaller side of the AKC standard and boasts a luxuriously silky coat paired with striking golden eyes that truly make her stand out. Her temperament, intelligence, and grace make her a cherished member of our family. Autumn's Mom, Zarah, and Grandmother, Sky, are both CHIC certified with OFA meaning they have passed all their examinations for Hip, elbows, heart and eyes. All our dogs are also Embark tested to eliminate common golden retriever diseases
Uploaded health tests
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA), Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA).
Myla, mom
Golden Retriever
About Myla
Myla is a female Golden Retriever. 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.
Parent health testing
Goldendoodle
Golden Retriever
Great level
Top of the Hill Goldens 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 Goldendoodles.
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.
DNA Disease Panel, Full Embark Panel, PRA, Golden Retriever 1, PRA, Golden Retriever 2, PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type 1
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).
