My first dog was a black miniature French Poodle named Aimee that we got for Christmas when I was 5 years old. She was my friend for 18 years! When I was 16 I got my first dog that I chose and bought myself, Casey Jones, the Old English Sheepdog. Both of these breeds were chosen, in part, due to my sister's animal allergies as they are hypoallergenic (poodles more so than sheepdogs). Casey was my
best friend for 14 years and went through many ups and downs by my side. I didn’t realize it at the time, but her presence in my life and her unconditional love healed my heart from many hurts. I decided to breed her because she was such a wonderful dog. It was a great experience! Through the years we have had 5 rescue dogs, including 2 OES, and also had 2 Labrador Retrievers. While on a trip to Southern California 9 years ago, I spotted a dog on a restaurant patio that looked like a sheepdog only it had a tail and was black and white, full grown. Sheepdogs start out black and white but the black turns gray as they mature. The breed standard calls for docking their tails when they are 1-3 days old. I felt compelled to cross the street and inquire about this beautiful and intriguing dog. The owner, who was almost as friendly as his dog, told me that it was a sheepadoodle! A mix between a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog!! My two first loves!!! Genius! Both breeds are highly intelligent, fast learners, excellent with children, loving and loyal, and low-shed to no-shed! I've been obsessed ever since. I immediately began researching and looking for breeders near me, but in the back of my head I had the idea of breeding them myself. I have several family members (kids and grands) who have allergy issues but are animal lovers. I wanted them all to have one! So I modified my search and began looking for OES breeders. My kids were excited about the idea also and we got on a waiting list for 2 female sheepdogs with the special request that they be allowed to keep their tails! Our girls were born in October 2014 and we brought them home just before Christmas. O'Malley came to live with me on our farm where her main job is to chase the deer out of the soybean fields. Smuckers lives near Orrville in her suburban neighborhood with her mom, dad, kitty, guinea pig, chameleon, snake and 3 rambunctious boys! She loves to walk around her block and socialize with her neighbors! They are frequent visitors to the farm! We have since added another beautiful OES girl, Ryleigh, and two of O’Malley’s girls from her first litter, Finola and Nova, and one of Ryleigh’s boys from her first litter, Tressel, one one of Ryleigh’s girls, Keagan, a blue-eyed Merle. All of them love children and get along well with other animals. Prior to breeding, our dogs have DNA testing, hip and elbow x-rays, eyes and hearts certified normal by the OFA, and are mature enough to begin the breeding process. While searching for sheepadoodles, I met a wonderful breeder named Sheryl, of Sweet Sheepadoodles, who became a wonderful mentor, willing to answer my many questions! We are using her male Parti Poodles as studs, now adding our own Tressel. We continue to learn as we grow, adding Puppy Culture protocols several years ago, and more recently, the Badass Breeders program has added more positive elements in our goal to raise the best puppies possible! I enjoy keeping in touch with all of our puppies’ new families and I make myself available always for questions and support. Thanks for joining us on our journey!
