🐾 The Story of Big Lake Goldens
A Journey That Started With Jax
Since 2015, I’ve been devoted to breeding American Golden Retrievers—known for their stunning blonde coats and show-quality potential when bred correctly. But one undeniable truth quickly became clear: American Goldens shed… everywhere.
That realization led me to do some research, and in early 2017, I discovered the Field Golden Retriever. Leaner, more athletic, and darker in coat, these dogs are built for work and action. Their coat is shorter and less feathery, their tails less full, and their muzzles longer and more refined. They don’t have the “lapdog” energy typical of Show Goldens, but their intelligence, loyalty, and work ethic are unmatched.
That’s when I found Jax, a dark red Field Golden male who would become the foundation of Big Lake Goldens. He quickly won me over—not only with his athleticism and striking coat but also because he shed far less than the American Goldens I had raised. That was it. I knew I had to bring this line of Goldens to families who would love them just as much.
Building the Vision (2018)
Throughout 2018, I searched far and wide for high-quality Field Goldens—traveling to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama. After extensive research on the lineage and temperament of many litters, I brought home four new females to begin shaping the future of Big Lake Goldens.
In June 2018, I purchased a home with acreage in Downsville, LA, where I expanded our facilities to meet growing demand. The response was immediate and overwhelming—people were eager for these healthy, athletic, and low-shedding Golden Retrievers.
A New Chapter (2021)
By late 2020, it became clear we had outgrown our Downsville home. We purchased a new property on 7 acres in Farmerville, LA, complete with a 20′ x 30′ steel building—the perfect future whelping facility. This move marked a turning point, enabling us to expand responsibly while continuing to focus on quality, not quantity.
Generational Shifts & Strategic Pairings (2021–2024)
As our original pack—Jax, Zoey, Riley, Dixie, and Ginger—approached retirement, we raised a new generation to carry on their legacy. We also responded to requests for more traditional Goldens with blockier heads while still maintaining the dark red mahogany coat, by adding Gunner, a 90-pound dark red male. We matched Gunner with Abby, a lean 60-pound Field Golden with the darkest coat of any of our females. Fun fact: Abby’s great-grandfather is Jax’s father!
In 2022, we laid the foundation for even more growth by introducing two new males:
-
Fonzie (born September 2022 in Arkansas) — Gunner’s cousin, from deep red-coated parents
-
Max (born March 2023 in South Louisiana) — the latest addition to our future sire lineup
We also retained daughters from our existing dogs to continue our lines:
-
Laverne, Pinky, and Joanie (Gunner × Abby)
-
Shirley (Jax × Zoey)
-
Pumpkin and Pearl (Jax × Dixie)
-
Luna (Jax × Pinky)
Meet Maverick – The Legend Lives On
In February 2024, Jax and Abby produced a litter, and I held back one special male: The Legend of Maverick (or “Maverick”, or “Mav”). He represents the next chapter in our story and carries Jax’s incredible lineage forward. In October 2024, I traveled to Oklahoma to bring home Penny Benjamin, a gorgeous deep red female who is destined to be Maverick’s future mate (yes, Top Gun fans, the name was intentional!).
You can view photos of both Maverick and Penny on their pages right here on the site.
Today & Tomorrow
At Big Lake Goldens, we’re now fully equipped to meet growing demand with thoughtful, responsible breeding. Our dogs are healthy, happy, and deeply loved, and we’re proud to offer families across the region the best Golden Retrievers you’ll find—whether you’re looking for a hunting partner, a family companion, or simply your new best friend.
From our family to yours, thank you for being part of this journey.
Stay tuned—more puppy updates are always just around the corner!
With gratitude,
– Jim (and Jax)