Me with Reuben on the first day, and me with my very first Sheltie (more at bottom).
From them came much of the inspiration to follow this road.
Me with Reuben on the first day, and me with my very first Sheltie (more at bottom).
From them came much of the inspiration to follow this road.
General
Woodruff Shelties is a small show, hobby kennel on 1 1/2 acres near Festus, Missouri. All dogs are 100% housedogs and are considered members of the family. They are our companions and friends first.
We show our dogs in conformation when they are ready to win. In the meantime, they get to learn some basic obedience. We've also started learning agility and are completely hooked.
Mission Statement
We are dedicated to preserving and improving the excellence of Shetland Sheepdogs, so that future generations can enrich their lives with this beautiful and special breed.
Breeding Philosophy
We believe in only breeding outstanding Shelties who are sound in structure, mentally alert, and have the correct temperament. We've got a longrange vision for specific improvements, and use linebreeding mostly, with occasional outcrossing or inbreeding when it makes sense. All dogs used for breeding are tested for genetic disorders. Showing in AKC conformation is important to confirm quality of the dogs.
History
My childhood Sheltie was a fabulous addition to our family growing up, and through her I fell in love with the breed. A common saying is, "once you've had a Sheltie, you'll never want another breed of dog," and this has certainly been true for me. Down below are photos I found of me and siblings with that first puppy.
When my mother was sick with cancer, she encouraged me to find a Sheltie pup, possibly to soften the blow if she lost the fight. We both loved the photo of Springriver's Golden Halo (Haley) we found, since she had the sweetest expression I had ever seen. It was two years later that my mother passed away and I took Reuben home, the long-awaited Haley son. He proceeded to soften the blow in unexpected ways, keeping us all entertained that first Christmas without Mom. He has truly demonstrated correct temperament by being so responsive and loyal. Mom never got to meet him, but we know she would have adored him.
Meanwhile, my mentor, Pam Miller of Millcrest, continues to bless me with friendship and good advice. I am grateful to have access to her knowledge about the breed. It was under her guidance that I started breeding. She has given me a great headstart in this business, by trusting me with some of her best dogs. Thank you, Pam, for all you've done for me.
Raising Puppies
Start training your puppy from day 1! You've got to teach your puppy not to be destructive, dirty, and disobedient. Find a great Puppy Class - it is the best way to get off on the right foot. The special bonding that happens through training can hardly be formed any other way. Plus, training is fun!
Especially for Shelties, who are on the more submissive end of the spectrum, early socialization is extremely important. Puppy Class works wonders on setting the tone for a dog's outlook on life.
Take the time to train early - it will give rewards to the family as long as the dog lives, but poorly raising a dog will give headaches for that long. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
Thanks
In truth, many people deserve our thanks and appreciation for helping us get this far. Pam Miller, Jamie Orr, Pat Huhmann and the Judy Strickland Dog Training Club, Carol Weaver, our family, and our friends at work who patiently listen to endless stories about the fur-family.
Contact Information
Amy Stoub
astoub @ earthlink.net
636-937-3508
