I’ve been a “Golden Girl” for more years than I care to admit. I can honestly say Goldens have always been a bit of an addiction for me and I subscribe to the notion that, like a potato chip, you can’t have just one Golden Retriever. You just can’t! Well, at least I can’t.

I started as a serial foster failure with Gold Ribbon Rescue here in Austin and the rest is history…my history continues to repeat itself but I’ve moved from rescue dogs to breeding top-quality, award-winning, health-tested Golden Retrievers.

Our Goldens are my life. They all live in the house with us, hang out on the sofa with us, snuggle up in bed with us and enjoy being a part of every aspect of our lives.  Our pups are well socialized and very well loved. The same love and care goes into the litters we breed and the puppies are treated like one of the family so when they leave our home and go to yours, they are well equipped for a smooth transition.

Outside of our happy home life, handling dogs in dog shows is one of my greatest joys and I look forward to each show like a little kid before Christmas. On dog show day, it doesn’t matter how early the alarm goes off,  I bounce out of bed, sparkle in my eyes, spring in my step…no caffeine needed! Me and the dogs treat show weekends like girlfriend getaways … cheeseburgers and Netflix for everyone!

Because I live for all things Golden-related, I am currently President of the Austin Golden Retriever Club (AGRC), a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) and the Travis County Kennel Club (TCKC). Enough about me; here’s some info our on dogs. The health of our dogs is of utmost importance. All of our Golden Retrievers are health tested and certified. A board certified cardiologist performs their heart clearance tests. We get hips and elbows x-rayed and submit those to the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) for rating after their second birthday, once the joints are fully formed. Our pups’ eyes are checked every year by a board certified ophthalmologist.

Finally, our dogs also have their DNA tested for Golden Retriever-specific health conditions such as: GR-PRA1, GR-PRA2, PRA-PRCD, Ichthyosis and Degenerative Myelopathy. All of our Goldens are bred to the Golden Retriever breed standard. Every bit as important as the look and structure of our dogs is the temperament and personality.  Our dogs are bred to have the “Quintessential Golden Retriever Personality.”  There’s nothing like it and why they are so darn addictive!

Follow me on Facebook at Jackie Smith McGrath to see oodles of our pup pics. Also, Like our GameChanger Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest.

Breeder, Trainer and Handler