Danielle is one of our amazing administrators for our SAVVY community! She was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions so that we may get to know her and her program a little better!
***Please know that Breeder Spotlights are not an endorsement of any breeder of program. They are simple a "get to know you". If you are looking to purchase a puppy/dog make sure to do your due diligence and fully research your breeder.
What do you breed and how long have you been breeding? I originally started breeding over 15 years ago and then life and kids happened and I took a long break. I bred Maltese at that time but now I breed Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles and occasionally I will have a poodle litter.
What made you choose that breed? I got my first Goldendoodle (Hank) and my family and I fell in love with Goldendoodles and the breed. He become family same as another child. They are the most human like breed I have ever known. The breeder I got him from became a friend and mentioned I should consider studding him out. I started studding him out and then added a second stud and used that money to build my program from there.
What drew you to breeding in general? I have loved any and all animals my entire life. It is a passion of mine that I still love despise the heartache and stress that comes along with
breeding.
What’s everyday life like for you? So I actually do work full time as a contract manager at a government contractor. I do work from home a lot of the time and I am able to do so when I have a litter when needed. My husband works in the Operating Room and gets home around 3 every day. We are a big family of 7 with 5 teenagers that are a big part of our program. Each one helps daily, and they get paid for working each litter. It literally takes all of us. They all play sports and do their own activities, so it is a real whole family effort. I also have one of our guardian homes that will house sit and help with pups anytime I need her that lives close, so she is a huge help.
What’s one thing you wish you knew before you started breeding? The stress it would cause, the strain on the entire family, daily life events that would be missed, the amount of cleaning, and how rude people can be!
If you could go back in time to right before your first litter, what would you tell yourself? Trust your instincts and not let people take advantage of you.
What are you most proud of in your program? Starting out I didn’t have goals or knowledge to have a clue what I was doing. I have put in the work and learned so much especially in health testing and genetics. I fell in love with genetics and now I know exactly what I want to produce, and I have finally produced my dream litter. My reputation is everything to me and I believe I have worked really hard to build that and put everything into my program to build something great that people don’t have any doubt of what they are getting when they chose us.
What makes you keep coming back for more....what’s the best part about breeding for you? The best part of breeding for me I think is the messages of how perfect their puppy is and how thankful they are for their pups from us. The looks on peoples faces pick up day is everything. Then when they are still that happy years later is even better. The bond I have with my babies I want everyone to have.
What’s the easiest part of breeding for you? Easiest part of breeding to me is the puppy love! Snuggling puppies and watching them as they start to play and grow and learn so fast is the easy part!
What’s the best thing you’ve purchased for your program? I can’t say there is one thing! My top three things are my own progesterone machine, ScanX ultrasound Machine, my puppy room that is perfect for me with full on grooming tub and table, epoxy floors, heated and cooled.
What’s one thing you’ve discovered that saves you the most time and energy when you have a litter? Having the separate washing machine for pups and keeping multiple clean pads on hand to change all the time.
If someone reading this is just starting out, what do you want them to know is the best part of what you do? Puppy pick up days makes it all worth it!
What’s one thing that just “grinds your gears” in the breeding community? People in general! The public is hard to deal with and you will get all the rude comments and doodle hate. Merle hate is the other big pet peeve.
What’s your biggest pet peeve in regard to breeding? Breeders that will constantly down other breeders. I have a few breeders that we all work together, and it is amazing but some will tear you down. Social media can destroy you from one bad thing so be careful.
What do you stress over most? My husband will tell you picture day is the most stressful! I want to have perfect weekly pics and it is so hard to get what I want and compare mine to other breeders and I feel like I always fail at pics. I hate doing Facebook lives but I do them all the time because it’s the one thing my families always say they love so much.
What’s one mistake you’ve made in your program that you wish you could go back and change?
Starting out I bought a bunch of dogs building my program to fast. I learned my goals later and
learned not to buy a dog for breeding because it was a good deal and take my time and search for I really want. I now have several dogs that I bought and put in guardian homes that I will never breed because they were not suitable or in line with my goals. Take your time and don’t jump in too fast. Guardian homes can be a big plus but they can also be a big stress. Follow your instincts here! Have good contracts in place.
What has been your biggest failure? Lost puppy before being really prepared to tube feed and what to do with a struggling puppy. Losing a puppy that you have spent days and nights with no sleep trying to save will break your heart.
What’s the most difficult part of breeding for you? Losing a puppy, the amount of poop and cleaning you will do 24/7, the stress of dealing with people who are just rude, missed
pregnancies, or paying a fortune for a unicorn dog you have searched for years for and ending up not passing OFAs.
If someone reading this is just starting out, what do you want them to know is the worst part of what you do? I love my dogs more than most people they will become your life. It can be very rewarding but it definitely comes with a lot of sacrifices from you and everyone close to you.
What’s your goal for the next couple of years? I plan to retire a lot of my larger and breed specifically wavy and straight coat minis for the most part with great structure and temperament. I do plan to cut back some and only breed the best of the best.
What’s one thing you wish you knew more about in regards to breeding? Understanding Structure, Temperament testing, and there is always a ton more to learn!
If you could shout one thing at the top of your lungs to all breeders...what would it be? Be compassionate and reach out to help a struggling breeder.
Thank you Danielle for taking the time to share with us! Everyone show her some love and go and like and follow her Page: Southern Enchanted Doodles