re: Labrador breeders in Texas.

Hybrid vigor, look it up. It's why F1 crosses are so popular in cattle these days. Usually get the better, dominant set of genes so the animal is overall more healthy, I'm sure it's the same principal with dogs.

As to the OP, I'm no help but let us know if you do find something. I'm in central Texas as well and I've been heavily debating getting a lab within the next couple of years to turn into a duck hunting dog.