It all began with a hair-brained idea that the kids and I should try our hand at dog breeding as a hobby and fun experience together… I purchased our first stud, Spanner, from a professional groomer and brought him home. It was not what Jim or our 5 sons were expecting! Too ‘fru-fru’ a dog for so much testosterone! However, once we let him grow out he was actually quite a ‘manly’ dog! LOL Our first mom was McKenzie, whom we inherited from our son and his wife, and since it was ‘just a hobby’ we called ourselves ‘McKenzie’s Doodles’, after all, they WERE her puppies :) They were a wonderful pair that eventually launched us into a full scale doodle breeding business!

She was the most chill and laid back dog with incredible intuition with any given situation! One time she was standing beside me as I watched a couple of our poodles decide they were going to head out for the forbidden part of the property. She watched this happen and was watching my face. I called out to them but I was frustrated. You can’t scold a dog when they return on command since they would not know why they were being scolded! Well, she took matters into her own paws. She rushed out to meet each of them and gave them both a ‘tongue lashing’ for having defied orders, then came back to stand by me as the self proclaimed 2nd in command :) We were smitten by the incredibly family friendly dispositions her pups had and such personalities! Very smart and very in-tune with their people and any who crossed their paths as well as all other animals!

Puppy Shepherds.

Both Jim and I were raised on farms growing up so we have a deep love of all that is living and lovely, as well as a sure sense of the things required to keep them that way. After going away and getting our degrees we have found ourselves back on the farm doing what we love best in our later years. Although it is a great deal of work with no real ‘off’ time, we love what we do.

Jim prefers to call himself a ‘puppy shepherd’ instead of a ‘dog breeder’ because it comes closer to saying how he feels about what he does. He is the consummate ‘dog whisperer’ and I’ve never seen him meet a dog that did not instantly think they were trusted pals. He is always patient and loving with them and they respond in kind.

Full Time Hobby.

I took on breeding as a hobby 18 years ago and have been amazed to see how it has flourished and grown. I have done it all along the way, including the all night whelping sessions, the runs to the repro vet, all the correspondence and planning of litters and future breeders, and the one on one with all the families. I have a total love of all areas of the business… okay, maybe not the clean up… but it is Jim’s hard work that keeps it all going and our dogs well cared for and happy. It is a team effort in every way but it is also a labor of love!