About Us
Meet Jim & Sue
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 found ourselves back on the farm doing what we love best; and although it is a great deal of work and at times very challenging, the facets of puppy breeding have been warming to the heart and soul and a true adventure!
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 we have 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.
Family Business
Over the years, our children and their families have participated in the family business to varying degrees. Some have committed to this labor of love as a full time occupation while others have used their gifts to support this family endeavor. We love every second of seeing our grown children and grandkids love and adore our pups as much as we do. It’s safe to assume we are our dogs’ biggest fans, and you will be too!
O’Shannah’s Doodles
A McKenzie’s Doodles Clan
What began as a hobby flourished into a full time venture. Through the invaluable support and guidance of my parents, we started down a path and have never looked back. Although the responsibility of having the lives of these little creatures in our hands can weigh heavily on us both, it is a magical and rewarding journey. Being a part of this exciting family adventure and the relationships that have been cultivated and deepened through this experience is priceless to our whole family! Shannon is the backbone of our family’s clan and has taken over a great deal as our little family continues to grow. He’s learned from the very best (Jim) over many years about how to be a loving puppy shepherd and it shines through with our puppies. Having a child on the spectrum, we are forever grateful to both be as present and nurturing to our amazing son as we have been, and this profession has allowed us to do so. We couldn’t ask for better than to raise our family surrounded by puppies in the Virginia countryside!
– Hannah & Shannon Barbe-Brown (daughter & son-in-law of Jim & Sue)
Red String Farmstead
A McKenzie’s Doodles Clan
It’s all about family. After leaving government service to raise our family in peaceful nature and unity with each other, Red String Farmstead became McKenzie’s Doodles newest clan. Coming “back home” to the country and to the family business has been a blessing beyond measure. We’re focused on loving our animal folk as our own, breeding Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles, and providing the whole of McKenzie’s Doodles social media, videography, photography, and web management.
Why “Red String Farmstead?” McKenzie’s Doodles has a tradition… the smallest pup in each litter wears the “red string” to signify its strength despite its small size. We chose this symbol as our namesake because we have so much in common with our red string puppies! Isaac served in the military but was always the smallest Marine in the room. Kayla was born 4 months pre-mature. Our beautiful little daughter has had weight and size issues since she was born. Our beloved Abner the Sheepadoodle (the red string of his litter!) was resuscitated at birth and was so small, he ate his first meals from a mason jar lid. We know first-hand that, sometimes, the ones that require a little extra help in the beginning might surprise you later! We are honored to be a veteran-owned clan of McKenzie’s Doodles where we get to help all puppies go on to do big and mighty things!
We are a family of red strings. We are Red String Farmstead.
– Isaac and Kayla Brown (son & daughter-in-law of Jim & Sue)
