Valedictorian Retrievers
Meet the breeder
I'm Juli B., the breeder behind Valedictorian Retrievers located in Missouri. We breed Labrador Retrievers with a focus on health, temperament, and intelligence. The health and happiness of our dogs are very important to us. We provide regular training and our dogs with 5 acres of land to run and play. We follow Puppy Culture processes and socialize our puppies with kids, adults, and other dogs. Puppies have exposure to as many new and different things as we can 'safely' do, including outside walks, introduction to water, and vehicle rides.
Q. & A. with Juli
Why did you start breeding?
We are highly active in hunt tests and field trials with our dogs and have a desire to share the intelligence and strength of this breed. We believe good breeding is important and hope to continue supporting our breed.What makes your program special?
We breed for standard colors only with a strong focus on the proper coat, health, temperament, and intelligence.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and a kennel on my property.
Getting a puppy from Juli
Juli 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 $100 refundable deposit and between $1,100 - $1,700 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“Price includes first vaccination, 2 wormings, vet wellness check, 26 month hip and eye guarantee and AKC reunite Microchip. I ask for a deposit once the breeding has been confirmed and I know there are puppies. The deposit will be fully refunded IF there are not enough puppies for those who have sent deposits. The order of pick (male and female) is determined by the initial phone call requesting to be put on the list and timely receipt of deposit within a week of notification that the pregnancy has been confirmed.”
Contract & health guarantee
Juli 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 Juli 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 Juli 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
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Juli.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Missouri
More about Juli
Juli has been a member of Good Dog for about 5 years
Juli was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2020.
Juli’s links
Juli is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Valedictorian Retrievers 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
Smarty, mom
Labrador Retriever
About Smarty
Smarty is a female Labrador Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Juli decided to make her part of their program. Juli 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
Valedictorian Retrievers 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 Labrador Retrievers.
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.
Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1 (RD OSD), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC), Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), PRA, Cone-Rod Dystrophy 1 (PRA-crd1), PRA, Cone-Rod Dystrophy 2 (PRA-crd2), D Locus (Dilute) DNA test, Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK)
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).
