Whitney 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 or program. They are simply 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?
Standard Poodles and Goldendoodles. Growing up my parents were heavily involved in AKC
Shelties, so really all my life! I started breeding on my own in 2012ish, and that’s about the time
I saw my first Goldendoodle… the rest is history.
What made you choose that breed?
I remember seeing my first Goldendoodle outside of a Wal-Mart of all places. I fell in love
immediately. The dog was gorgeous, had such a sweet temperament, and the coat was wavy
and thick–looked like a living stuffed animal. After years of research, talking with many
breeders, and becoming more smitten I took the leap and purchased my first Standard Poodle
to eventually breed Goldendoodles…well, I found that most of what I loved about the
Goldendoodles came from the Poodle. So, here I am with both!
What drew you to breeding in general?
I love a challenge. I love watching my lines evolve and get closer and closer to that elusive
standard. My mom was a genius when it came to pairing dogs to produce better offspring, and I
discovered a need for that in Goldendoodles and Poodles. I wanted flash and color without
sacrificing structure, health, and temperament.
What’s everyday life like for you?
Controlled chaos. I'm a Psychiatric-Mental Health RN and work full time in an inpatient setting.
Thankfully my husband is extremely supportive and involved with the dogs and puppies–it
wouldn’t be possible without him. We live out of city limits in a small neighborhood and hope tobuild on the family farm in the next couple years.
What’s one thing you wish you knew before you started breeding?
Be patient and build slowly. Many of us change our focus and goals as we grow, so allow
yourself room to do just that.
If you could go back in time to right before your first litter, what would you tell yourself?
Take a deep breath. Dogs can sense your anxiety so leave it at the door.
What are you most proud of in your program?
I love hearing when people see or meet one of my puppies they say “I knew it was a Juniper
Ridge pup”. Our puppies' personalities are even better than their looks, and I think they’re pretty
cute!
What makes you keep coming back for more....what’s the best part about breeding for you?
The science. I love assessing pups I’ve produced as they mature. Did I fix that lower tail set?
Did I achieve that blockier head that I wanted? Did this curriculum change increase their
confidence? I’d say that’s tied with families seeing their puppies for the first time. That instant
bond is a special moment to witness.
What’s the easiest part of breeding for you?
Loving every puppy that we produce. It’s instant, it never waivers, and never ends. They may
belong to their new family, but they’re always ours too.
What’s the best thing you’ve purchased for your program?
Can I say Augie? My Standard Poodle stud is the secret to my success, he’s a wonderful dog in every way. Next would be Canva Pro and DocuSign–worth every penny!
What’s one thing you’ve discovered that saves you the most time and energy when you have a litter?
Consistency is key. We plan ahead, get as much ready beforehand as possible, and stick to a
schedule. I also don’t complicate things. No need to fix what isn’t broken.
If someone reading this is just starting out, what do you want them to know is the best part of
what you do?
You’re creating someone’s best friend and furry family member. Take that seriously because
you are impacting their family for the next ~15 years and that is pretty awesome when you think about it.
What’s one thing that just “grinds your gears” in the breeding community?
The obsession with color over everything. A good dog is never a bad color. Structure, health,
and temperament of the dog is SO MUCH more important than color. It’s fine that you’re looking for the colors you love, but consider the rest too. Structure especially seems to be thrown out the window.
What’s your biggest pet peeve in regards to breeding?
That it’s easy and we must make bank with every litter. It’s difficult and constant and expensive.
What do you stress over most?
Whelping stresses me OUT. I’m scared something will happen to one of my girls even when it’s a textbook whelping.
What’s one mistake you’ve made in your program that you wish you could go back and change?
I tend to jump before thinking things through. I need to be more selective and keep those rose colored glasses on the shelf.
What has been your biggest failure?
I trust too easily. I expect that others are being honest with me and often don’t see the forest for the trees. I’ll also say I waited too long to practice boundaries and it’s cost me friends. I’m
working on it.
What’s the most difficult part of breeding for you?
Other breeders, honestly. People are mean. It takes time to learn to let comments roll off your
back.
What’s something you keep doing because you think you have to in order to be taken seriously by other breeders, but deep down really want to stop?
Unpopular opinion, but I believe the never ending health testing is getting out of hand. First it
was genetics and OFA hips and elbows, and heart and eyes. Now it’s intensity, furnishings, curl, dentition… At what point is enough enough?
If someone reading this is just starting out, what do you want them to know is the worst part of
what you do?
Breeding can take a toll on your mental health. When I scroll Instagram I often feel inept, when I can’t make friends with a certain group I question my value, and that’s not fair or healthy.
What’s your goal for the next couple of years?
I want to title dogs I produce in the UKC conformation ring, improve the chest and rear
assembly in my Poodles, work on blockier heads in my Goldendoodles, and earn the CGC on
all my breeding dogs.
What’s one thing you wish you knew more about in regards to breeding?
At home artificial insemination. I’ve attempted twice and failed both.
If you could shout one thing at the top of your lungs to all breeders...what would it be?
Pair your dogs with intention!
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen so far when it comes to breeding?
When one of my girls, Poppy, needs a break from her puppies she “hides” behind the curtains in our whelping room. They’re sheer so you can clearly see her but she’s certain she’s a Hide N' Seek champion.
Thank you Whitney! Everyone make sure you show her some love and go and Like and Follow her Page: Juniper Ridge Poodles and Goldendoodles