Ballard Gun Dogs

Raised by Katie B.

Certified Breeder of German Shorthaired Pointers

  • 1 club membership

Meet the breeder

I'm 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.

Katie’s experience

  • About Katie

    We are a small breeder of hunting & performance GSPs located in East Texas. We currently have 10 GSPs & through them we have been able to learn so much about the hunting/sporting dog world, the breed as a whole, and ourselves as handlers. We train/compete in a variety of venues. Our dogs all hunt and have titles in multiple venues because we believe in the versatility of this breed.

  • What makes Katie’s 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.

  • Katie is a member of a club

    German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America

  • Katie’s certifications & recognitions

    AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T.

Puppies

Jett

Reserved

Female • Went Home May 10, 2022

German Shorthaired Pointer

Maverick

Reserved

Male • Went Home May 10, 2022

German Shorthaired Pointer

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. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. 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 range from $1,500 - $2,000 and include a deposit of $500.

“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 and 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

Enrichment and socialization

We do ENS, and Puppy Culture. We want to give them the very best start and make sure they are able to handle situations and environments with the least amount of stress. They have regular nail trims with nail clippers and a dremel. We also work on collar and leash as well as crate training. Puppies are litter trained so house breaking is a breeze. Live birds and water/swimming is also introduced. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Intro to water/swimming, Building Fetching Desire, Introduction to birds, Exposure to livestock, exposure to agility tunnel, wobble board and other novel items, Leash Training, Early stages of crate training, Crate Training , Outdoors (when Weather permits), Car Rides, Texture stimulation, Puppy Culture , Outdoors, e.g. rain, Fireworks , Noise desensitized , Various Surfaces , Noises , Strangers, Stores, Structures, e.g. Climbing, Scents, Chew, e.g. Bone, Toys, e.g. Ball, Touch Desensitization, Household Desensitization, Early Neurological Stimulation, Grooming Desensitization, Sound Stimulation, Socialized with Adult Dogs, and Socialized with Children.

Puppy health practices

All puppies are taken to the vet at 3-5days for tails & dewclaws and their first check up. They get regular fecal floats ran and dewormed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10wks of age with the appropriate dewormer. They have a 2nd vet visit for vaccines at 8wks old and start on heartworm prevention. Puppies are vaccinated every 3wks through the vet clinic until sold. We use HeartGard & Bravecto for preventions.

Extras

We send our puppies home with Dew claws removed, Sound and texture enrichment, Early Neurological Stimulation, Microchipped , Our puppies are all sent home with welcome home bags and information. , Vaccinations, Puppy Starter Kit, Puppy Collar, Food Starter Bag, Certificate of Health, and AKC Registration.

Bringing your puppy home

Katie offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.

Pick up your puppy in Alba, TX or nearby

If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.

Get your puppy dropped off to you

Work with a trusted flight nanny or transporter to get your puppy comfortably dropped off at an airport or meeting point close to home.

More about Katie

  • Why Katie started 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.

  • Katie has been a member of Good Dog for over 2 years

    Katie was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.

  • Katie’s program includes seven colors

    Katie’s German Shorthaired Pointer 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.

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

Meet Katie's parent dogs

All breeds

German Shorthaired Pointer

Parent health testing

German Shorthaired Pointer

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).

Photos