Becoming an impassioned doodle breeder was not, initially, my intention. After I retired I purchased my long-anticipated Standard Poodle, Esther, with the intent of breeding her a few times. All I knew, to begin with, was that I wanted healthy beautiful puppies that would find loving homes. It was my hope to provide other families with the joy of having a loyal, enjoyable canine companion.

I love Border Collies and had good experiences with them. I believe that many of the health issues associated with purebred dogs is due to inbreeding. Cross-breeding reduces the likelihood of producing puppies that are too closely related. In theory this creates hybrid-vigor. My plan was to produce healthy Bordoodles. It made sense; I would combine my favorite breeds, lower health risks, enhance their best qualities and reduce the shedding and high drive of the Border Collie. It was good, at the beginning, that I didn’t know the extent of what I didn’t know. Therefore, I enthusiastically forged onward.

Eventually, I became associated with a community of other breeders. I gained a better understanding of what it means to breed ethically and intentionally. As a result, my goals and my vision for breeding evolved. What began as a short-term project became an all-consuming passion. Coat color and type, size, structure, health and temperament became subjects that I needed to learn more about. Thus my journey to become a serious companion dog/doodle breeder began in earnest. Now, it is my responsibility as a breeder to continue to research and learn even better practices in my breeding program.

To anyone interested in dog breeding

If you are considering dog breeding; do you desire to do so ethically with the intention of producing healthy, well-tempered puppies? First, spend time researching other breeders and their best practices. Next, purchase your foundation dam from a reputable breeder. One who fully health tests their breeding dogs and implements an intentional puppy curriculum. Finally, be willing to change directions upon gaining new information.