Taylor Made Kennels

Taylor Made Kennels Small scale breeder of beautiful apple-head chihuahuas.

The enemy isn’t responsible breeding.The enemy is irresponsibility.Let’s talk about “Adopt, don’t shop.”At face value, i...
02/24/2026

The enemy isn’t responsible breeding.
The enemy is irresponsibility.

Let’s talk about “Adopt, don’t shop.”

At face value, it sounds compassionate. And adoption is beautiful. Rescue dogs absolutely deserve loving homes.

But when that phrase is used to shame responsible breeders or families who choose a purpose-bred dog, it stops being kind and starts being dismissive.

Here’s what we need to separate:

Shelters are not full because of ethical breeders.

They’re full because of:
• Accidental litters
• Backyard breeders skipping health and temperament testing
• Dogs sold with no contracts or screening
• Owners who don’t spay/neuter
• Poor early socialization leading to behavioral surrenders
• Impulse decisions without long-term commitment

Ethical breeders don’t operate like that.

Responsible breeders:
• Fully health test (genetic + OFA)
• Plan litters intentionally often with waitlists
• Raise puppies with structured early development
• Screen homes carefully
• Use contracts
• Take lifetime responsibility for every dog they produce

If one of their dogs ever needs a home, it goes back to them. Not to a shelter.

And yes ethically and purposefully bred mixes have the right to exist too.

When two health-tested, temperament-sound dogs are intentionally paired with long-term goals in mind, that isn’t careless. That’s selective, purposeful breeding.

Now let’s talk about another hard truth:

Not every rescue operates ethically either.

Many do incredible, life-saving work. Truly.

But some:
• Charge premium adoption fees based on breed popularity
• Market certain mixes as “rare” to increase demand
• Import dogs to meet trends
• Withhold behavioral history
• Prioritize volume over long-term placement success

Before I ever became a breeder, I explored rescue. I was quoted nearly $1,500 for an adoption simply because the dog was a desirable breed and they knew people would pay it.

That opened my eyes.

This isn’t rescue vs. breeder.

This is ethical vs. unethical.
This is accountability vs. carelessness.

Families choose purpose-bred dogs for real, valid reasons:
• Predictable temperament
• Allergy considerations
• Size expectations
• Service and therapy needs
• Stability for children

That choice does not make someone heartless.

You can support rescue.
You can support responsible breeding.
Both can exist at the same time.

Shame doesn’t solve overpopulation.
Higher standards do.

The enemy isn’t responsible breeding.
The enemy is irresponsibility.

Adopt or shop, responsibly.

🐾 Every breeder knows this moment, that little buzz on your phone a few days after a puppy goes home. The message start...
02/02/2026

🐾 Every breeder knows this moment, that little buzz on your phone a few days after a puppy goes home.

The message starts sweet, “we love him, but…”

And you already know what’s coming next. But he barks. But he nips. But he cries at night. But he’s just “a lot.”

And it breaks your heart a little every time, because what they’re describing isn’t a “problem.”

It’s a puppy.

A baby learning the world outside of their mom and littermates. They’re confused, overstimulated, excited, and scared…sometimes all at once. And that’s normal.

But people today want easy.

People want the version they see online…the one that sits calmly, never chews a shoe, and somehow knows “sit” by eight weeks.

They forget that behind every well-mannered dog is someone who put in the work, the patience, the boundaries, the grace.

People want the love without the learning curve.

Even the most beautifully raised puppies don’t come pre-programmed. They come ready to grow with you. To learn your rhythms, your tone, your energy. They don’t need perfection, they need patience.

Some people confuse an easy puppy with a good one. But the truth is, every puppy is good they’re just new. And new things are messy before they’re magical.

As breeders, we see it all. We comfort the ones who come back scared, unsure, wondering what they did wrong. We remind them softly, “you didn’t do anything wrong, baby.” Because it’s never their fault that someone wasn’t ready for the hard parts that make the best parts possible.

Raising a puppy isn’t instant. It’s sleepless nights, puddles on the floor, little teeth on fingers, and the sweetest bond you’ll ever build.

A puppy isn’t a project, or a phase, or something to “try.” It’s a commitment. A piece of your heart on four legs. If you’re not ready for the messy parts of puppyhood, that’s okay. Just wait until you can give your whole heart.

Because these little souls deserve nothing less 💜 🐾

Shared from another breeder.

Let’s get one thing straight:We NEED ethical dog breeders.Not backyard breeders.Not puppy mills.Not “oops litters.”Ethic...
12/15/2025

Let’s get one thing straight:
We NEED ethical dog breeders.
Not backyard breeders.
Not puppy mills.
Not “oops litters.”
Ethical. Responsible. Passionate. Breeders.

Because the truth is this:

Good breeders don’t just produce puppies — they protect entire breeds.
They’re the reason we still have healthy working dogs, therapy dogs, sport dogs, and family companions with predictable temperaments and solid genetics.

Good breeders raise puppies like they’re staying forever.
Socialization, early exposure, enrichment, confidence-building…
None of that is “extra.” It’s STANDARD.

Good breeders take dogs back, every time.
For life.
No questions. No judgment.
Because their puppies NEVER end up in shelters, ever.

Good breeders breed for preservation, for improvement, and for LOVE.

And here’s the part people don’t want to admit:
Without ethical breeders, we’d lose the breeds we depend on and adore.
Service dog lines.
Duty-driven working breeds.
Family-safe temperaments.
Sound structure.
Predictability.
Purpose.
History.

Shelters are full because of irresponsible breeding —
not ethical breeding.

So next time someone says,
“Just adopt,”
remind them:
You can support shelters
AND still value ethical breeders.

Both matter.
Both play crucial roles.
Both are needed.
Because the breeders doing it right?
They’re the ones keeping dogs healthy, stable, and loved for generations to come.



- copied from unknown author-

Sugar ~ 5 weeks old.White and black smooth coat female.~Shimmer x Buggy~*Not available*
11/07/2025

Sugar ~ 5 weeks old.
White and black smooth coat female.
~Shimmer x Buggy~
*Not available*

Spice ~ 5 weeks old.Merle and black smooth coat female.~Shimmer x Buggy~*Under Contract*
11/07/2025

Spice ~ 5 weeks old.
Merle and black smooth coat female.
~Shimmer x Buggy~
*Under Contract*

Spice ~ 4 weeks old.Merle and black smooth coat female.~Shimmer x Buggy~*Under Contract*
10/31/2025

Spice ~ 4 weeks old.
Merle and black smooth coat female.
~Shimmer x Buggy~
*Under Contract*

Sugar ~ 4 weeks old.White and black smooth coat female.~Shimmer x Buggy~*Not available*
10/31/2025

Sugar ~ 4 weeks old.
White and black smooth coat female.
~Shimmer x Buggy~
*Not available*

Sugar ~ 3 weeks old.White and black smooth coat female.~Shimmer x Buggy~*Not available*
10/23/2025

Sugar ~ 3 weeks old.
White and black smooth coat female.
~Shimmer x Buggy~
*Not available*

Spice ~ 3 weeks old.Merle and black smooth coat female.~Shimmer x Buggy~*Under Contract*
10/23/2025

Spice ~ 3 weeks old.
Merle and black smooth coat female.
~Shimmer x Buggy~
*Under Contract*

Spice ~ 1 week old.Merle and black female, coat length TBD.~Shimmer x Buggy~*Under Contract*
10/09/2025

Spice ~ 1 week old.
Merle and black female, coat length TBD.
~Shimmer x Buggy~
*Under Contract*

Sugar ~ 1 week old.Black and white spotted girl, coat length TBD.~Shimmer x Buggy~*Not Available*
10/09/2025

Sugar ~ 1 week old.
Black and white spotted girl, coat length TBD.
~Shimmer x Buggy~
*Not Available*

*Young adult dog opportunity*Shadow is a long haired black and tan female, she is a little over a year old and good with...
07/08/2025

*Young adult dog opportunity*
Shadow is a long haired black and tan female, she is a little over a year old and good with other dogs, cats, and kids. She is available due to us retiring our breeding program.
PM for more information!

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Luray, VA
22849

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