Who are we? We are a family that loves dogs! Although my entire family is consistently around our puppies and dogs and my son helps out with a good deal of the kid socialization, “I” am primarily what is Regency Ranch. Well, my dogs and I that is. I cannot forget them! Nonetheless, I cannot take all the credit. If I have a day that I am completely overwhelmed and need an extra hand, my husband and kids will jump in. I am truly blessed.
Anyhow, I guess the question I should answer then is “who am I?”
My name is Crystalyn. I have been working with many different breeds and species of animals for as long as I can remember. All through high school, I was in ag, which focused on the larger animals. Nonetheless, when I was not in school, I was volunteering at the local Texas vet (this was back when volunteering was still legal). I volunteered at the vet from the age of fifteen to the age of eighteen. At eighteen, I became a veterinary technician at a practice in Nevada. There, I was the kennel tech which meant that the main responsibility was taking care of the patients that were in quarantine. Sadly, in that area, at that time, parvo was rampant. As a result, I had multiple patients.
More Vet Tech Experience
When I was nineteen, I moved back to Texas and broke horses for a couple of years. At twenty-one, I went back to being a veterinarian technician at a practice in San Marcos (the city where I attended college). When I was twenty-two, I moved to a vet in the Canyon Lake area. I completed my Master’s in Literature at twenty-four and worked as a veterinary technician for an additional nine months while I was looking for a teaching position. At twenty-four, I got my first teaching job at a college in San Antonio. Even though I was not working as a vet tech anymore does not mean mean I stopped working with dogs.
Breeding History
Just to back track, I started breeding dogs at the age of nineteen. My first breed was Pomeranians and I bred them for eighteen years total.
About three years into breeding Pomeranians, I added Chihuahuas.
Two years after that, Mini Dachshunds.
Two years after that added Great Danes.
For four years, I had four breeds. Twelve years in, I stopped breeding Mini Dachshunds and Chihuahuas. I then ventured into Toy/Miniature Australian Shepherds.
At fifteen years, all of my previous breeds that had been retired and were still with me were seniors. At this point, I only bred Pomeranians and Great Danes.
Change of Pace
When I became pregnant with our first child, I cut down significantly on breeding. This was not too difficult as many of my girls were at, what I consider, retirement age anyway. When I was thirty-four, we were blessed with our first child. At this point, I stopped breeding all-together as I did not think that I could give my dogs the time they needed and raise an infant.
Before my son was born, I thought I was a type of superwoman and could do it all. However, I soon realized that I was not superwoman. As a heartbreaking result, some of my fur-babies were rehomed and some were spayed/neutered and became family pets. I just had to make sure that my fur-babies and my human baby were both able to get the attention they needed.
Unexpectedly, once my son started moving around on his own (he walked at nine months), the Danes I had kept lost their minds. Since they were not raised with children, they were terrified of this little squealing human that could chase them. To get away from him they would run into walls because they were not looking where they were going. For the sake of my Danes, at this point, I rehomed them so they could live the rest of their lives in peace.
Baby Number Two
A year later, I had our daughter. When our daughter was born, I knew that at some point, I would want to get back into breeding. As a result, I did a great deal of research to make sure that the breed I chose would be able to easily adapt to our hectic lifestyle and would love our kids. When she was three months old, we got our first Golden Retriever. Two months later, we got our second.
Once my daughter reached 18 months, I was ready to return to breeding. When the dogs came of age, we would be ready for our first Golden litter. The first litter arrived when my daughter was a little over two. From that point forward, we have had Goldens in our lives.
Beginning an Amazing Journey
By 2014 when I returned to breeding, it had changed significantly. At this point, DNA testing was common and affordable. Additionally, the price of dogs was starting to raise as a result. Those breeders who were reputable and followed health and wellness practices could actually price their dogs at what they were “worth.” Before, the general public did not understand how difficult breeding (at a reputable level) could be and all the costs associated with it. As always, I wanted to provided the healthiest puppies I could so I started researching the science behind breeding.
The Science of Breeding
After a good deal of research, I started testing my first goldens through a canine DNA company called Animal Genetics. Through this company, I tested my dogs for all of the common Golden Retriever genetic issues.
Once I was introduced to Embark DNA, I never went to another company. Embark tests the dog’s DNA not only for those ailments that are known to Goldens, but also all ailments associated with other breeds. This way, if a new breed-related ailment pops up in the Golden population, it will be caught.
Other Testing
It was not until 2019 that I started sending our dog’s rads to OFA for hip and elbow certification. The reason for this is because I am not a huge OFA fan. To be honest, a good vet can point out any dysplastic tendencies in rads. I had the rads taken, but my vet would let me know if any issues showed up. However, it had come to the point that my possible puppy parents were asking if I had OFA certifications on my dogs. I figured it was just easier to get the results sent in for the provided certification number than fight it. In 2020, I found out about Penn hip which is much more precise with how they “score” hips. It is much more expensive than OFA, but it is a better test.
In 2021, I discussed the option with my veterinarian for her to get certified through Penn Hip. In April of 2022, she was certified, and we started the testing on my dogs. Unless something significant changes, I believe I will continue using Penn Hip for the foreseeable future. However, the testing is not all that I do to make sure my dogs are safe, healthy, well cared for, and have puppies that have a wonderful start.
Training
Along with the breeding, in 2007, I became a registered rescue. My husband and I took in those dogs from the shelter that needed rehabilitation. When a pup/dog came in that a “regular” shelter would not be able to place due to personality/behavior disorders, they would call me. I focused on dogs 25 lbs and smaller because it allowed us to help more dogs. We would rehabilitate the dogs and then adopt them out into loving homes where they would never be abused again. This was extremely fulfilling, but due to other life circumstances, I had to stop bringing in rescues in 2011.
Through the years, I have learned a great deal about training dogs. I have worked with the easy cases and the difficult cases. In 2021 I became a certified AKC Evaluator. I also enjoy helping children with their dogs and volunteer as the 4-H canine project leader for our local 4-H. In 2023, we will be opening our training, boarding, and grooming business. Although I enjoy being a college professor, my whole heart is in dogs and family. Having our own business will hopefully allow me to primarily focus on these two aspects of my life.
Additional Research
Since my “real” job is as an English professor, I enjoy research and learning all that I can. I often pick a dog related topic, learn all that I can about it, and write my own article about it. I do this not only to help myself and my dogs, but also to help others. It is important to me to know all I can about “my” breed and to pass this knowledge onto others. All my articles can be found on this website. All the links can be found on the main page.
I know, I know, I just go on and on and on. I will stop now. However, if you have any questions or want to learn more about me, feel free to give me a call.