About Us
My dogs are my full-time “job”, really I enjoy it too much to call it that. If you haven’t already figured it out I have a very unique kennel. I do things a bit differently than most breeders.
Beyond an unheard-of lifetime genetic health guarantee, I believe in being very upfront with my adoptive families sharing views of everyday life most breeders wouldn’t via live puppy cams, and texts, as well as pictures shared on social media. The good, and sometimes even the messy. 😉
While I pride myself in my professional quality weekly photoshoots, I also like to share real moments caught on camera or video with my puppy buyers as they happen. Ok, I admit it I LOVE to take pictures of cute puppies and though I may be biased I think my pups are the CUTEST! If you can’t handle frequent cuteness overloads you might want to rethink and go with a less obsessed puppy breeder where you might get two pictures for the whole 8 Weeks.
I grew up around dogs and breeding for the best of the best. My parents raised and successfully exhibited (showed) standard collies (and quarter horses) my entire childhood and teenage years. My first “very own” dog growing up was the niece of the famous tv star Lassie. Brilliant dog but oh the hair! I swore when I grew up I would never again own such a fluffy long hair dog.
Growing up in a family that was heavy into showing, I learned to recognize and judge for proper conformation but after I started having children of my own I decided spending quality time with my family and dogs was more important than the politics and stress that goes along with the world of showing. My children have had the opportunity to experience the excitement of showing but more for the fun and life lessons than the fevered pace I experienced.
I have been raising Miniature Dachshunds for over 28 years with a few years of also raising Great Danes and Mini Aussies.
Danes and Dachshunds complement each other. Danes are much calmer and Dachshunds love it when they can boss bigger dogs around. The Dachshund breed will always be my true love though. No other breed has such a variety of personalities, coats, or colors.
Despite my many years of experience, I still do not consider myself an expert and am by no means perfect. I strive to learn new and better ways to raise healthy puppies constantly. The advent of DNA health testing has made amazing advancements and become more readily available as a tool to help breeders take some of the guesswork out of the genetic equation.
I spend every spare moment comparing notes with other reputable breeders, as well as researching health and genetics that would make most people's heads spin. It’s almost unfathomable how much has changed for breeders and the breed over the last 20 years. Back when I started Piebalds and English creams were not even a known or accepted color…
A Little History
In 2018 my family and I had the amazing opportunity to purchase a 4000 sq ft church building on half an acre to convert into our home and kennel. This offered a wonderful place for our pack to play, socialize, grow, and concentrate on bettering our genetics. As well as a place for my four older children to spread their wings and learn to fly.
The summer of 2024 after an injury to my leg laid me up for several months I realized I wasn't getting any younger and my dream of traveling might be slipping away. I decided to give up my 4000 sq ft kennel/home in search of a simpler life. So I bought a 45' bus and converted it into our new adventure headquarters.
Of course, the dogs had to come with!
The bus has a fold-out ramp for quick and easy access to outdoor play areas or in case of emergency evacuation and to spend time outside under a shady tree, exploring "jungles", or cooling off in a stream, pond, or on the beach.
As well as huge windows (that open) with plenty of sunlight for year-round sunbathing, and smelling all the new scents our adventures provide. I love to watch their little noses working as they take it all in.
While visiting my long-time friend and mentor in Washington State I fell in love with the area and was offered the incredible opportunity to take over Dreamcatcher Ranch and Great Danes when he retired. Some of the Great Danes trace back to dogs I owned and loved many years ago when I was breeding and showing Danes.
Fall of 2024 we are starting phase 1 of combining Spottadachs and Dreamcatcher Great Danes. Because we only have a short period of fair weather left before winter so I have started on the outdoor runs while still based in the bus.
Phase 2 will be moving into the house and working on the dog areas inside.
My dogs are not kept on wire, or sleeping on cold concrete floors, they spend the day freely lounging about on the couch, or underfoot as well as playing in an outdoor play yard when the weather permits.
Anyone not trustworthy about peeing on or chewing the furniture sleeps in kennels at night.
Both our Bus and our new ranch have a fully equipped medical bay for emergency and whelping needs. Everything from sutures, and oxygen to ultrasound and vitals monitoring. All of My puppies receive an in-house 15-point checkup (ears, eyes, belly button, heart, lungs, etc..), as well as vaccinations, deworming, and personality evaluation before they go to their new homes
I strongly believe in giving my dogs as natural a pack-like social life as possible while still experiencing life in a home setting.
There is a fine line to keeping a healthy pack balance. Too many alphas and you have constant fights where everyone has to be locked away from each other (which is why most breeding kennels have individual kennels for every dog). To be able to give my dogs a better life and avoid fights, I keep a limited number of dogs and have groups that are trusted together when not hanging out as a pack under supervision.
My pack almost always has an alpha female, as well as a matriarch who helps keep the peace and teaches the puppies proper social behavior. Where I only breed My females a few times I usually also have prospective young dogs (the teenagers) that keep things lively.
I am very picky about who will have the privilege of becoming a breeding dog, as I take the creation of life very seriously. All of My dogs are evaluated for breed standards, and health tested before even being considered. Beyond science, a healthy balanced personality is a requirement. Just because a female is old enough doesn’t mean they are mentally prepared to be a mother. Each female is evaluated on a personal basis.
( 3 Generations)
Some would say breeding is unethical or breeders are just money-hungry. For me at the end of the day especially the hard or heartbreaking ones it is the unbiased love I get in return from my dogs and the families who adopt my puppies. I live for the updates of pups from their loving families. I have also been accused of being a birthing junkie I love being hands-on with every aspect of my litters. My vet has told me multiple times I probably know more than he does about the hands-on parts of breeding, birthing, and raising healthy animals maybe I should consider getting a veterinary degree.
While my whelping schedule is quite often all night or hectic I think a vet’s life is much more time-consuming and heartbreaking. I find my joy in producing healthy animals rather than constantly treating sick or dying ones. Every once in a while my husband asks do I have to have puppies? I just look him in the eye and say you want more kids? 😉 Breeding satisfies my strong mothering instincts and the best part is I don’t have to deal with teenagers!
There is so much more that goes into being a dedicated breeder than just playing with cute puppies all day. It is not about the money either because any breeder who takes proper care of their breeding stock, puppies, and customers as well as invests in healthy genetics and constantly strives to improve their breed is not making much extra money.
I love to talk Dachshund so feel free to contact us (at any reasonable hMy) no question is too stupid to us I would much rather you ask so I know My babies are going to families who want the best for them just like I do.