Yes. We define our dog facilities as a "Kennel", but more accurately, the "Doggy Manor". By the definition
above, we live in one....since we have a handful of dogs living in our home. It is sad to say, but our dogs
actually live better and have better shelter than some people in our own Country. Our dog facilities are
located approximately 50 feet directly behind our house where we have a perfect view of the dogs at all times. Adjacent
to the Kennel are 8 large yard/run areas for freedom and excercise on a daily basis. NONE of our dogs are "kenneled",
except at night or in bad weather. At that time, they have access to a 4' by 8' indoor stall with bedding, and a doggy
door that leads to the outside to another 4' x 8' hoseable run with an overhang roof. Each morning, all of our parents,
short of nursing moms or young puppies, are let out to run the yards, males and females separated, with access to the kennel
for shelter at all times. The kennel was designed and constructed by Rich. Rich built our home and my quilt studio (now
a puppy nursery) as well as several barns and buildings on the farm. The kennel is built with quality ceramic tile flooring
for sanitary cleaning, a climate controlled indoor enviroment, water and electric and a seperate supply/bathing and grooming
area. At this time, whelping takes place in our home. Our objective is to be there during the entire whelping
process to assist in times of whelping problems, if necessary, give comfort to the Mom, as well as imprint the puppies through
handling from the time they are born through weaning and/or when they go to their new homes. We believe this provides required
socialization for a puppy to have the ultimate disposition to give you and your family a loving companion for many years
to come. Once the puppies are eating solid food (and Mommy is no longer cleaning up after them) they are moved to the Puppy
Nursery. In this business, profit is not our priority (any good breeder knows any profit is modest at best if
you are doing it right!), but the care and quality of our dogs as part of our family and home. This is our Labor
of Love! Do your research before you make a decision to buy your puppy (see more information below)....it is important to deal
with a reputable breeder who puts quality, research and compassion for their animals before quantity and profit. As a business
owner for 15 years, it has always been my philosophy to make prioirity the satisfaction of my customers, as this is the
most important building block to a successful business with a reputation of quality and service. May God Bless You, and
our prayers are offered to you that you find the perfect pet for you and your family!
Webster's Dictionary definition of "Kennel" 1. a doghouse; 2. a place where dogs are kept.
It isn't about "Home Breeders" vs. "Back Yard Breeders" vs. "Kennel Breeders" vs. "Puppy Mills"
It's about
"Good Breeders" vs. "Bad Breeders"!!!
HOME RAISED OR KENNEL RAISED? WHICH IS BETTER? Depends on
the Breeder and more importantly, their purpose for breeding. For us, our Kennel is a Home, a "Doggy Home" and an extension
of our Home as well as a Business. We took into consideration our dogs comfort, health and welfare when we designed our
Kennel. We do not treat our dogs as "inventory", they are first and foremost our beloved pets. Should
we need to retire any one of our dogs through placement in another home, we will do so only through careful screening and assurance
that our retired dogs get the "forever home" they have earned and deserve. (See "Bear's Story on our Parent's Page) We
believe that our Kennel provides a clean, sanitary environment for our adults and puppies alike. Recently, we invested in automatic
waterers which dispenses water much like a hamster bottle, and helps to prevent bacteria and parasites from standing water in
buckets or bowls, regardless of the frequence in changing. It can be a challenge to provide the same for litters kept inside
a home, especially if there are large litters with limited space around children and adults. In addition, we went into
this business with serious thought and research, not just to "have puppies for the experience of our family". It is our goal
to continue our research, health screening, provide a 26 month health guarantee, lifetime of support....and just breeding quality
puppies for years of love and joy for your family. At this time, we do not whelp in our Kennel, as I stay with the Dam
throughout the entire process, and therefore keep close with a place for me to rest, too! (No room in the Kennel for a couch!) Please
be careful when assessing the Sales Pitch of ("We are not a Kennel, our dogs and puppies are kept in our home").
Our puppies and adults are given much love and attention from the time of birth, and to confirm this, you need only to read our testimonies.
Our inside runs and outside covered runs are kept cleaned and comfortable. All puppies are doggy door and paper trained
from a young age, and once vaccinated, are able to access their fenced in yard from their run, where they learn to go potty outside
and not in their run or stall. The bottom line....do your research and screen any breeder you are considering by
asking why they are breeding inside their home, are they a licensed breeder, and to what level is their annual
breeding program? Obviously, important, relevant questions should also be asked of any "Kennel" breeder you
are considering as well. We want to place all of our puppies as permanent house pets when they are chosen for their forever
homes. Should breeding rights be considered, we will only sell to breeders who we approve and will provide no less
care and comfort for their dogs than we do. If you are a Broker, Puppy Mill, or Pet Store...don't even waste our time!
ABOUT OUR KENNEL (Pics Below!)
This is one of our whelping boxes located in our family room where all of the puppies are born and raised. Notice the
electric heated whelping nest built into the floor of the box. This is a necessity to work with the heat lamp to help avoid
chilling in the first hours and days following birth. Rich has custom built our boxes. We have vinyl flooring
on the bottom and bath wall panels along the side for easy cleaning and santization. Notice the bumpers, which are necessary
to keep the Dam from rolling on top of and smothering any of the puppies. The center barrier can be slipped out to open
the entire box up for more room as the puppies get older. Buyers are welcome in our home to visit where we raise our puppies,
and often, we will place the puppy playpen in the TV/Sitting area so they have plenty of room to run and show their personalities.
For the Love of Poodles and Doodles!