Hi--I recieved your PM and thought I would answer you here.
It's funny that you should ask about Stringer Creek as you are the 2nd person to do so in the past few days...ironic....hmmm...
I would be glad to share what information I can about Paul and Cia with you. In early 2005, my parents and sister aquired a dog from them. (Abby, she was actually on their 'previous' page last I checked.) At the time, Yorkies were the ONLY breed that they worked with--they only had the one litter at the time and only a few adults. They were an open book with us, were spoken highly of by the vet they used and owners, had a nice home, their kennel area was very nice. You didn't get a bad feeling from them at all. They called routinely to check up on Abby after they took her home. Since they got Abby, they have not had one single issue with her, health or otherwise. She is the perfect pampered pet that sis was looking for. Sis's friend got a pup from them a short time later and has never had any issues either. So honestly, based on our experience, I can't say anything negative about them, but again, I think the last contact they had with them was around Jan 2006, soo...... A good lesson that one person having a good experience does not a good breeder make.
Now, that being said, from some things I've heard about them (from the Shih-Tzu world) since and what you can see on their site, there is no way in heck I'd get a dog from them now!
The fact that they would sell to a broker alone (which is news to me) is bad enough for me that I'd look elsewhere. So in short, to answer your PM, no, I do not still stand by the endorsement I gave them over 2 years ago.
Anything else about them you think I might could help you with, feel free to ask and I'll do my best.
I would call and ask them and demand an answer for why their site claims not to sell to brokers when they are clearly doing so.
Generally speaking, 1500.00 seems like way too much for a pet--which actually caught me off guard as I know you'd mentioned before that you couldn't afford 'fancy breeder prices.'
I wish you the best of luck in your search, but seems like you have a tough road ahead of you. You seem to be determined to find a reputable breeder, which is good, but I doubt you are going to find one who's going to sell you a dog on open AKC reg, no questions asked.
And you are most certainly not going to find one by looking at backyard breeders.
I would suggest maybe finding a reputable breeder whom you and your wife can get to know. Many times they will place their retired breeding stock in pet homes, which may be a good match for you. And who knows, maybe later when you are ready they will help guide you in your breeding endevours.