A little about my story
The Joy of crossbreeds
I thought I should write a little here about my experience with dogs both pedigree and crossbreeds to give you all a little insight into my thoughts and experience with both.
Pedigree, Pedigree, Pedigree!
For well over 20 years I committed my life to being the top show kennel with a breed called The Dogue De Bordeaux, my affix was EMBEREZ which although I no longer have a website you can give me a google where you can find lots of information and articles on the dogs I bred. The Dogue De Bordeaux is a french mastiff so a very different breed to my doodles but I adored them and within the time showing I had achieved over 100 plus champion titles around the world including winning our breed multiple times at Crufts. What came with adoring the Bordeaux was an extreme amount of heartache, I think I had 22 dogues at one point but my love for them kept me going throughout the years. They taught me so much, gave me challenges, knowledge, understanding in so many ways that turned me into the breeder I am today with my Cavapoo. I think I cried more than I laughed throughout this time as the pressures were intense, breeding dogs to look a certain way for the show ring as well as trying to keep them healthy and puppies that I bred healthy. The Dogue De Bordeaux are a sensitive breed and need careful management especially in the early days, they faced challenges like low immune systems, heart issues and bone problems amongst many more, only some of which you could test for before breeding.
Because I had become one of the most successful show kennels in the world and known worldwide for my dogs, the pressures I faced with breeding a Dogue to look like a show dog often came with sacrifice. No matter how hard I tried I didn't seem to be able to eradicate all of the health issues that faced this breed in adulthood. This broke my heart and often new owners hearts too.
A crossbreed Never!!
Ive always loved a challenge with a dog, being drawn to high maintenance breeds that I've also owned throughout the years including bulldogs and bull terriers but since having children I felt their need to be around dogs and animals that were more family orientated and known to be less of a challenge. Due to my past experience with high maintenance dogs with health issues I started to research other breeds. Being pedigree dog minded this is where my mind first led me, researching breeds that are good with children but with every search of every breed came to face potential health issues. But I could never own a crossbreed not me! Im well known for having some of the best pedigrees in the world for my Dogues but my thoughts played heavy on my mind about owning and breeding healthy dogs. A cavapoo kept appearing in my search which offered health and temperament and at first I kept dismissing them as potential dog for my family because they weren't a pedigree. In the past I would do something called Line breeding with my Dogue De Bordeaux which enabled them to keep their type but could also heighten the risk of potential issues within the line, I didnt want this moving forward as health was a priority but I knew I didnt want a Cavalier due to their health issues too. I needed a breed that had greater genetic diversity which in turn reduces the potential health issues so I finally caved into my childrens needs and mine too and bought my first two Cavapoo's Meeka and Lily. Although both from the same litter they looked totally different and this baffled me for a while as this was something totally alien to me.
I was Hooked!
Over the years understanding crossbreeds and their genetic lineage became a pure joy to me, I could finally relax and just enjoy my dogs so my numbers grew and grew! Over the years I have purchased my Cavapoo from breeders that are not well known like I was with the Bordeaux or have established history like breeders do with pedigree dogs, a certainty about lineage and health found me having to have faith in these breeders which I did but I believe I made really great choices. My Cavapoos and Poodles have all now had glowing genetic health tests which allows me to relax and enjoy them and have confidence in my healthy breeding and future of my dogs.
Id never been able to keep all of my Dogue De Bordeaux together and certainly never boys but these guys all loved each other and thrived on each others company as well as mine.
When ever anyone would call me showing interest in a Bordeaux I would give them a list a mile long of things that could go wrong and refused more homes than I would ever grant but then found myself struggling when it came to people calling me for a Cavapoo, Erm they are perfect is all I could say! I really mean it! However one thing a Cavapoo can be is sensitive and this needs to be carefully managed but this is not necessarily a negative as if managed correctly can be a benefit in terms of training and loyalty.
Due to my worry about health I have chosen not to breed directly from the Cavalier, knowing breeders, research and watching documentaries on the breed I have to admit some of the conditions these guys face terrifies me and brings me back to the worry I had about the Bordeaux. Starting up I chose to reduce my chances with these potential issues and decided as it was a Cavapoo I wanted I would start with a Cavapoo this in turn already reducing my chances of inherited conditions the Cavalier faced. Now I have been breeding a while I have carefully watched my breeding program and the dogs I produce, understanding what comes with breeding dogs with a wider gene pool. As health is my priority I wouldnt change this for anything but I do see a diversity in the dogs I breed in terms of type, especially coat type which is why you may see us breeding dogs much a much flatter shorter coat on occasion. I love this though in fact have kept one short coated girl myself! I refuse to go back to breeding for a certain look and by widening the genepool throughout the generations I want to reduce these chances even more down the line. So far my considerations for breeding healthy beautiful Cavapoos has changed my whole life as a breeder, I absolutely love it and I smile every day! I cant express enough how special Cavapoos are whether they are first, second or third generation and so on, they are the most wonderful, loving and intelligent dogs you will ever meet!
I do get asked the odd time if I breed first generation Cavapoo as I believe this gives owners more certainty of the "type" their Cavapoo will be but I strongly believe that people come to me because of the healthy dogs I breed because I'm a loving caring knowledgeable breeder who can help them should they ever need it and I will, I'm here for you all every step of the way. Also because of the way I raise my puppies in a nurturing environment preparing them in my puppy development program for their future lives away from me, they mum and their litter mates, this gives them an unbelievable start in life and I love every minute of it. I have built up some fabulous relationships with new owners of my babies and I would like to thank you all for all the fabulous updates you send me, they mean so much knowing how well cared for they are.
My Poo's are a way of life for us now and I would never look back! We still have a bulldog and a bull terrier because im a glutton for punishment but we love them all the same!