My pledge to all future care givers of “KleeCan” puppies is:

To breed my dogs by critically evaluating all potential partners for my dogs with the goal of bringing into this world dogs with the highest level of health, temperament, and form, while remaining within the “official standard”. 

Expectant mothers are kept in the stress free area of one of our bedrooms. This area is warm and draft free.

I use a purpose built whelping box, which extends to be a play area and toilet area while the puppies are still nursing and being cared for by their mom.  

Once the puppies are beginning to survive on their own they are transferred to an exercise pen (“X-pen”) in our living room.  This allows the puppies to start experiencing various sounds and behaviours they will have to become comfortable with as they mature (Early socialization).  

Also, being in the living room allows us to regularly pick them up and play with them.  From the safety of their “X-pen” they can also interact with our other dogs and cats.

We live on a one acre property, and our dogs have a fenced area of 1200 sq. ft. that can be accessed through a dog door, via a covered area from the dog room in the basement, or from the main house through the patio doors off the kitchen. We have a fenced 3375 sq ft agility ring and a 640 sq. ft training hall. For the most part our dogs live in our home with my wife and myself as members of our family.  They are only secluded in the dog room on those occasions when it is in their interests to not be upstairs.

It is my policy to give my charges the highest possible level of care.  To that end I will never give a home to more dogs than I can care for either emotionally or financially.

 

All animals that live with us are regularly cared for by our vet of 20 years. All animals that come into our home remain with us until their dying day, whether that is natural, or merciful. All our dogs are pets first, and breeding/show dogs second.