Angelic Paws Kennel
                                                      Clearing The Air

     Every breeder has different opinions on how to put together the best program. I have spent many hours doing my best to educate myself on all aspects of breeding, from basics in genetics that discuss everything from genetic diseases that are passed on through irresponsible breeding practices and lack of education, to colors. There are so many things that every breeder needs to  consider when deciding to breed any dog and even the experts often have conflicting opinions. As individuals we can only be expected to do the research and make the best decisions we can based on the information we gather, and always put the best interest of the dog before anything else.
     I want to be very clear that I don't consider myself to be a breeder of any specific color or pattern and never intentionally breed for mixed patterns, although I have some beautiful mixed patterns in my kennel. I have many varieties of colors and patterns, but there are many things to consider even when looking at colors and patterns, and we do our very best to insure that we look at all the attributes of each dog and breed to meet the standard and improve the quality of our foundation with each pairing. There is no absolute exact science, but lots of theories and important facts you must be aware of before breeding .We work and learn as we go from our mistakes as well as the mistakes of others.
    I will start with color, since Jona who is by the way one of the finest people I have ever been blessed to know, was recently verbally attacked by a show breeder and told that show breeders NEVER breed for color, she accused her of being unethical, irresponsible and a uneducated hobby breeder.This breeder had just sold Jona Elleigh a Blue and Tan Dapple Pie carrier and went into great detail about Elleigh's color as well as the colors she carries for. Let me first say Jona DOES NOT breed just for color and neither do we. In fact I purchased a Blue and Tan male for my program for $850.00 that turned out to have less than perfect comformation and issues with hair count and I sold him as a pet to a wonderful family for $100.00. Breeding him to make back my money was never even a consideration. I think we all have colors that we prefer and Jona has colors that are her favorite as well, but never breeds a dog just because of it's color without considering conformation, pedigree and of coarse disposition. She spent many, many years working in several Show kennels with some of the top breeders of show Collies and Shelties in California . She has a love for Chocolates and Blues and is well educated on the issues with breeding these colors, including the skin conditions and coat issues associated with dilute colors such as Blue, Izzabella and is learning about English Cream. She has lots of different types of animals  on her ranch and several breeds of dogs, many of which that were rescues that are NOT part of her breeding program. The breeder that made the attack has primarily one color of dog that she breeds, they are a imported breed and carry from my understanding fine pedigrees and conformation which we think is great, if that is where she has chosen to place her focus, this is still America last time I checked. The primary difference between our kennels and her kennel is that she shows her dogs in conformation, where we have chosen to compete in field trials. Forgive me if  I fail to see how this makes her superior to us.  Over the last twenty years Jona and I have both spent many hours in competitive showing, her with dogs and me with horses. Both of us grew tired of the politics and felt the the fun had faded from that type of competition and if you are no longer having fun we believe why bother to continue in that world. Because of that, our character was put under attack by this person. This breeder actually told me that if my skin was not thick enough to accept hearing a Judges opinion  about my dogs I have no business in the show ring. Just for the record, my skin is plenty thick and I would accept the honest opinion of a Judge concerning my dogs,in fact I would welcome their expertise, assuming the opinion is based on my dog and not my handler, kennel reputation, who I know and so on. I am not saying all Judges opinions are political, but I have been witness to this sort of thing in the past and have no desire to get caught up in that drama again. It is just a personal choice on my part, not a condemnation of showing as a whole.
   We do not believe people should get into breeding because they think it is a easy fast way to make money. Believe me when I tell you that is far from the truth. As a responsible breeder a great deal of money is spent to properly care for your animals. You must be prepared to spend most all of your time caring for animals, you can forget vactions , kennels must be cleaned at least 4 times daily and we bleach our runs, play areas, and crates as well as food dishes and water bowls every other day, to avoid parasites and other illness linked to dirty living conditions and both of us would be hard pressed to leave our kennels in someone elses care. Regular vaccination, worming and flea and tic prevention are not a option, all dogs must be kept on a regular schedule. Also consider socialization and traing time as well as baths, nail and dental care and don't forget regular vet check ups. While we are talking cost don't forget the importance of high quaity food and supplements. My kennel spends a average of $550.00 monthly on food alone. Does this sound like easy money to you at this point? So why do we do it? Because we love our dogs, and would rather clean kennels than sit behind a desk pushing paper in a office. We really want to improve on and share the breeds we love with others and when we do our job the right way, we can make a some money doing what we love.
    So what is our philosophy? Always put the dogs first, never judge others without having your facts and even then don't judge until YOU are perfect ( Let me know if you achieve perfection, because I would love to learn how from you). Honesty is always the best policy, when all is said and done all we really have is our word and reputation.Apearances can often be decieveing. Point in case, I express myself through body art, ie: tattoos. Sounds shocking right? If you look on my site you can see some of them in pictures,  it has caused a bit of a buzz, but only to people who do not know me. I mean how offensive !!! Oh my gosh she has tattoos !!! Can you believe I even have one on my arm that is a Bald Eagle with a civil war colt revolver dripping with blood and a banner that says "Remember", how dare I want to remind people about all the blood shed so that we can enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted in this country!!! I should be strung up !!! If you want to know about me,  ask me, I am more than happy to share with anyone who has a TRUE interest, wonder why I have a Lion with a crown of thorns on the back of my leg, it represents my walk with Christ, something private and personal to me. I am more than happy to share my knowledge and help out whenever possible and have lots of patience for people who really want to learn but I don't have much tolerance for people who waste my time ,say they never judge and then I hear trash that has been spread by that very person. DO NOT gossip about others, it's hurtful, hateful, ugly and only shows that you suffer from a sad and weak character that needs to put down others to feel better about yourself.
My advise to you:

 Have beautiful happy puppies, and spend more time having fun developing your own program, than trying to tear down others with jealous childish gossip !!!

It's so sad, I have some very nice dogs and in time will be producing some outstanding litters and would have loved to work with some of these show kennels to improve everyones program by sharing and intergrating different lines, but because of things that have happened the dog world will never see the outcome of those endeavers.
    We will make mistakes, but promise to learn from them. We will alway treat our customers with respect and do our best to help them in anyway we can. We only place our puppies into homes that we do our best to screen ,and feel will offer wonderful homes. Honesty is always the best policy and money is NOT the most important thing. We will not waste energy gossiping about other breeders and that is the last I will say about it !!!!!
    So now you know, from the horses mouth who and what Angelic Paws and Wild Wind Farms is about. Two good friends building realationships and helping you find the perfect addition to your family, whether you are looking for a pet, field trials or a show prospect we will do our best and would love to find the perfect fit for you and our little guys.

   Just as a foot note, I have also had the guidence of some really wonderful breeders, that took the leap of faith and time to get to know me and have sold me some outstanding dogs and shared their time and knowledge. They have extended friendship and support and are rooting for my program, seen past the outer appearance to the inner spirit and I can never thank them enough!!! I will do my very best to not let them down and promise to respect the bloodlines they have intrusted me with. It's because of these people I am starting out with a outstanding foundation. Look forward to seeing many beautiful puppies in the future.

Sadly people problems were a major reason that I no longer breed Dachshunds and my focus has shifted to my beloved Corgis.