Hi Reader,
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"I hate your business."
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Those are the words I often hear from my husband whenever I face challenges in my Maremma Sheepdog breeding business. (And my goat business.) He sees the stress, the late nights, the financial investment, and the emotional ups and downsβand he wishes I'd chosen something easier.
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And honestly? He's not wrong about it being difficult.
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After nearly a decade of breeding Maremma Sheepdogs, I can tell you that doing things the right way isn't always the easy way. However, today, I want to share why I continue anyway - and why it matters when choosing a dog to protect your family and livestock.
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Why I continue (despite the challenges and opposition)
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My husband sees a business with live animals as unnecessarily complicated. Why deal with the stress when I could do something simpler? Why invest so much time, money, and emotion when I don't even need the income? (I was a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom who dreamed of owning a farm, achieved that dream at age 50, and started an LGD breeding business because I fell in love with the breed.)
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The answer is simple:
Because the dogs deserve better.
Because families investing in livestock guardian dogs deserve partners they can trust with their animals' lives.
Because someone needs to maintain the standard of ethical breeding, even when it's challenging.
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What ethical breeding really means:
- Standing behind every puppy for life (not just until the sale)
- Taking dogs back when circumstances change, regardless of age
- Honoring real health guarantees when issues arise
- Providing genuine lifetime support and guidance
- Putting dogs' welfare above profit margins
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This level of commitment comes with costs that many breeders (and their families) simply won't accept.
The investment in excellence
Ethical breeding requires significant investment in health testing, specialized facilities, premium care, and ongoing education. (I'm the only Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (dog trainer) breeding Maremmas - a certification I pursued for the benefit of my puppies and my clients.)
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These investments don't guarantee perfection - no honest breeder can promise that. But they dramatically improve your odds of getting a healthy, well-adjusted dog.
When challenges arise
The difference between ethical and profit-driven breeding becomes crystal clear when problems occur:
Ethical breeders: Stand behind their guarantees, provide ongoing support, and take responsibility
Profit-driven breeders: Disappear after the sale, blame owners, and offer no real support
Why does this matter to you?
My husband isn't wrong - this would be easier if I cut corners, skipped the health testing, took the lazy route to training and socializing puppies, offered no ongoing client support, and focused purely on profit. But easier isn't always right.
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When your livestock's safety and your family's peace of mind are on the line, you need more than "easy" - you need someone committed to excellence, regardless of the personal cost.
The choice is yours
You can choose a breeder who takes the easy path, cutting corners to offer "cheap" prices with little to no support after the sale. Or you can choose someone who does this work despite the challenges because they believe the dogs, your family, and your livestock deserve the very best.
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Whether you need training advice, have health questions, or face unexpected circumstances years down the road, we're here because our commitment doesn't end when you drive away with your puppy - even if that makes my husband shake his head sometimes.
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If you're ready to discuss whether one of our puppies might be right for your family, just reply to this email because every family deserves a breeder who truly cares about their success.
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Committed to excellence,
Kim
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P.S. Our waiting list for 2025 puppies is growing. If you're considering adding a Maremma to your farm, now is the time to start the conversation.
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Read More About it...
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Why Ethical Livestock Guardian Dog Breeding Matters, Despite Challenges
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