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 WELCOME TO MY PROPERTY. I’m often asked how I operate my breeding program, where my parents live and where the pups grow up? These are all fair questions for any breeder. Certainly in this time of puppy mill breeding new buyers want to know something about the background of their new pup. Nevertheless, for the protection of my stock, I do not allow buyers open access to my property. Buyers need to understand that they arrive on my property carrying germs. Buyers have been walking in public areas, have been around other dogs, etc. My dogs, and particularly pregnant mothers and pups are very susceptible to infection by disease organisms.
To help you understand why I disallow tours, I have put together this page. Here you will “see” behind the scenes and be able to comprehend why no competent breeder ever wants to show the living area of the dogs. Upon your arrival on the property, the dogs know you are here. They can hear and smell you, but they are quiet (trained to be) and they know that no one will enter into their world. Thus, they feel safe and secure and are not threatened by visitors. Please understand that when a mom is newly bred she can, at any time, absorb the pups. There can be a lot of reasons for this and certainly stress and anxiety are major causes. This is why you are not allowed to just roam around the dog areas.
When you step onto my property, you can tell this is not “just a breeding operation”, but a professionally set up program with one thing in mind- the health and safety of the dogs and puppies.
My breeding stock enjoys living in small groups in huge pens under lots of shade trees. At the end of the pen is a large building designed especially for them. Inside are cubby holes around a large open area. This house is heated to 80’ throughout the winter, and is lit throughout the night. The dogs have free access in and out, so it is a “dog decision” to be wherever they wish at any given time.
For daily fun and activity they are run on the lawn. It never ceases to amaze me how they just lay around their big run areas doing nothing but as soon as they get onto that lawn the energy rushes out of every pore!
Breedings are recorded and due dates estimated. Moms stay in their “comfort zone” until 2 weeks before the due date. I believe it is good for them to move around a lot, and have minimal disruption to their normal lifestyle until close to whelping. Next, they are moved into the whelping room for the last two weeks of gestation. This room is kept at a constant temperature UNTIL whelping begins at which time the heat is elevated to 100’. This is to prevent herpes, a virus that attacks and kills newborns. This virus cannot live at temperatures of 100’, so for the first several days the puppy room is kept very hot. Mom has a temperature of 101’ so she can have this virus on her but not be affected. Until the puppy is well established the heat remains on but is then reduced to 80’, more for the comfort of the mom.
 The first few weeks after birth are critical for puppies. I get up throughout the night to check on them, and they are completely quarantined from all dogs outside of mom.
My nursery is just like one in a hospital ----as clean as possible ---which is why you cannot see the birthing room and newborns.
At 4 weeks, the pups are moved to another area where they are weaned and given lots of space to practice walking. This area is shut off and kept at 80’ day and night.
This is when pups are most vulnerable. There is huge stress leaving mom, but they have each other and big stuffed animals to curl up with. Within a week they are playing with each other and are starting to become confident, but still needing the nurturing effect of the litter. Handling, visits, and the possibility of outside germs contaminating the area is a very real concern for any breeder. Here you can see why the pup is so at home with a litter box.
I hope that you are now comfortable in the knowledge that your pup has had the best care from start to finish. Every effort is made to ensure a healthy confident pup for you.
Read about my breeding philosophy here....
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