Am looking at a few pups from an individual in east Texas and they started giving bloodlines and I have no clue about dog bloodlines.

The pup is bred:
HRCH Watermarks Texas Roadtrip MH.

Also has anyone heard of 3D retrievers out of Conroe, Tx

I've never heard of them, but if the sire has a HRCH (hunting retriever champion) and MH (Master hunter), he's pretty good dog. Watermarks is a good line to draw from.


I just checked their site. I'm not going to say anything bad about them because I do not know them and I'm sure their great folks, but I'd be very careful dealing with folks that breed "silver, champagne, or charcoal" labs. It's a whole different can of worms, so I'm not going to get into "silver" labs.

The dogs have clearances and seem to be proven, so that's a good thing.

Thanks Mud Shark. Was looking at a Chocolate female they had, but not decided yet

Absolutely. Sire's pedigree looks good to me. I like it a lot. I can't get the dams, Ebony, to pull up. If that's the litter you're looking at.

Yes sir that's the litter I was looking at. Still not sure on a chocolate. Was really wanting a yellow.

There's a lot more that goes into these pedigrees than what I know so any info is appreciated.

Bought my pup from them. They just started Doug all of this silver and champagne crap. But they will have some litters for color and others for hunting traits. That breeding u mentioned will be a good one. They are a good breeder and do all of their health clearances.

Thanks Brandon. If you don't mind me asking how did your dog turn out?

I finally got to see the dam's pedigree. For hunting purposes, it's not that impressive, and she's "silver". But as I said before, the sire is pretty well bred and proven his own abilities.

As long as they have a good pedigree, health clearances and are one of the 3 main colors (black, yellow, or chocolate), They should be sound retrievers. Color is just a personal preference, unless they're "silver".

If you want a yellow puppy, check out http://www.crosscreekkennel.com/puppies.asp
Matt and Helena do a good job with their breedings, are super easy to work with and have been excellent people in my dealings with them.

If you have any questions about the pedigrees or the title acronyms, shoot me a PM with your phone number as it may be easier to explain via phone.

I took a good look at their website and the "silver" lab advertisement would turn me off. The sire of the litter you are looking at is sound but it takes two dogs to make a puppy. The dam in this litter doesn't seem to offer much imo but I don't know the dog.

Last year I was new to looking for a retriever, much like yourself, and ended up with a dog that wouldn't hunt. I didn't know anything about pedigrees and just thought that since one of the parents seemed to have a family history of accomplishments I could make it work.

From that experience I have dove head first into training, buying, and even selling some dogs however I am not a breeder. What I took away from that specific instance is that I would only buy an older pup from a breeding I am unsure of. The older the pup the more you can see and tell about their personality and ability.

A few facts that won't change:
1) you can get a dud from any breeding. Doesn't matter what you pay.
2) you can get an awesome dog from any breeding if you get lucky.
3) you can better your odds by buying puppies from proven parents and producers
4) it takes two to make a puppy. it will have traits from both parents.
5) one mans trash is another mans treasure.


Wish I had more to offer. Good luck in your search.

My pup has turned out great. He def makes up for my lack of training ability.
But remember, although they are from the same breeder, the do in the litter u are looking at are from a totally different line. But as far as drive and train ability I would say mine is darn good.
So maybe they know what they are doing. But like the other guys said. Silver dogs turn me off.

With 4 litters all born in a single month there should be a lot of puppies to look at when you get there.

Rody Best of Best Retrievers in Elgin is considered one of the best in the state for bloodlines and hunt test results.

I would look up the dogs on entryexpress. I glanced at it real quick. Just cause they have a title doesnt tell ya a whole lot. Look at there pass/fail percentages. That sire has failed 15 mh tests. But also passed 22 so his avg is 68%. It will show ya how consistent of a dog he is.

Great advice!