01/06/2026
One of the most important parts of breeding is pairing each puppy with the right home. It is a responsibility I take incredibly seriously, because first and foremost, my priority has always been finding the best possible family home for every puppy I breed.
While I am immensely proud of the achievements of my dogs and the success many of them go on to have in dog sports and competitions, titles and trophies will never be my primary measure of success. What matters most to me is that every dog lives a happy, fulfilled life.
I want my puppies to go on family holidays. I want them to run along beaches, explore the countryside, and enjoy adventures with their people. I want to see photos of them curled up on the sofa, included in family celebrations, and loved as true members of the household. If their owners choose to compete in dog sports, that's wonderful, but I always ask that the dog's happiness comes first and competition comes second. A successful dog is a happy dog.
When I match a puppy to a home, there is so much more involved than simply deciding who wants to do what with the dog. Every puppy is an individual. Even within the most consistent litter, there will always be variations in drive, energy levels, confidence, sensitivity, and temperament. Some puppies will need an outlet for their working instincts, while others will thrive in a more relaxed family environment. Some have exceptional on-off switches, while others may need a little more structure and purpose.
I also have to consider the whole picture. The existing dogs in the home, cats, horses, children, lifestyle, working hours, future plans, and expectations all play a part. Matching puppies is never simply about pairing one puppy with one person. It is about ensuring the puppy fits into an entire family and that the family is right for that puppy.
A mismatch can lead to frustration for both dog and owner for years to come, which is why the process is never as simple as saying, "This person wants to work a dog, so that puppy should go there." There are countless nuances that need to be considered, and I always look at the complete picture before making my decisions.
One question I am often asked is, "How can you possibly know the puppies well enough at such a young age to decide where they should go?" The simple answer is that when you live with a litter 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you really do get to know them.
You see them on their sensitive days and on their bold days. You see who bounces back quickly from new experiences, who likes to take a moment to think things through, who naturally seeks interaction, and who is happiest exploring independently. What I am looking for are the consistent traits that emerge over time, because those are what help me make the best possible matches.
Some puppies reveal themselves very quickly, while others take a little longer to show exactly who they are. That is one of the reasons I wait until around seven weeks of age before making final decisions. By then, I have built up a much clearer picture of each puppy as an individual, allowing me to make the best choice for both puppy and owner.
Ultimately, I will always make the choices that I believe are right for my puppies, because those same choices are also what will be right for their future owners. My goal is to create lifelong partnerships that bring happiness to both ends of the lead.
And if my previous puppy owners are anything to go by, I'd like to think I usually do a pretty good job.
Here is 9 weeks old Mr Big Apple ... already loved an adored by his family 🍏🍏🍏
