Companion Dog Project

04/08/2025

Citation:
Hughes, D. T., & Pugh, C. A. (2024). A Retrospective Study of Hip Dysplasia in Guide Dogs: Influence of Flooring in the Early Rearing Environment. Animals, 15(2), 152. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/152 #:~:text=Puppies%20whelped%20at%20Guide%20Dogs,this%20polygenic%20and%20multifactorial%20disease.

This study by Guide Dogs for the blind found that traction in the early whelping environment reduced hip dysplasia. Hip health is polygenic and multifactorial.
However, puppies raised on slick surfaces showed higher risk. That’s why we recommend using thick fleece footing in the whelping box for at least the first three weeks. Testing of hips is important, but breeders can also impact hip health by implementing this evidence based practice.

Using genetic selection, Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) has reduced the incidence rate of canine hip dysplasia (CHD). However, given that CHD is polygenic and multifactorial, environmental factors may impact the expression of this developmental condition. The objective of this original, correlationa...

02/08/2025

Holistic and accessible options for breeders and owners to help prevent and manage itchy dogs. 🐾💜

Suggestions for Prevention and Management from Pre-Conception to Adulthood

29/07/2025

Congratulations on this next step in your breeding journey. Proud to have you as a member. 💜🐾

Announcement 📣

We are rebranding slightly to match our program goals. We have built our program slowly on the love of our dogs who are first our family companions to us & the guardian families that truly are a blessing!

When I started this journey I had no idea how much it would change my life and make me a better person. There is something truly spiritual that happens when puppies are born in our home. The already strong bond between me and the mother suddenly becomes so open with trust and a deeper love. The connection of new life & first breaths in my hands. The magical dance of watching a mother step into a natural role that she was given by God. She doesn’t need me here I always think, she could do this on her own! We become a team and it is truly beautiful🥰.

For 10 weeks after that my entire home gathers around your new family member to give them a strong and positive start to life that will lead to a better future for the puppy and your family! Our puppies mean so much to us, after some learning experiences with Gooddog we have decided to go back to word of mouth placements for forever homes. We have been blessed with amazing families but we feel families are able to know our program and family better when they organically find us or are referred. It means more to us to keep in close contact with our puppies throughout their life journey.

I started my journey to be in this position at a very young age. I have learned many lessons Good & Bad over the years. I have had many breeds of dogs in my life and I choose what I’m crossing for the specific purpose of companionship & working towards service work. I have vowed to my dogs that I will always put their health and wellbeing before any financial gain. I will continue to pair parents to create excellent health and temperaments. Temperaments that are a joy for a family to have in their home, easy to train and driven by human attention. I also focus on health, not breeding genetics that bring risks for puppies future & only pairing parents that have Health scores & structure that results in longevity. We are very meticulous about our pairings and will continue to be. That being said we are needing dedicated guarding homes for our prospects. Our most successful litters have come from parents we own and can fully evaluate. If you want to become a part of our program please contact me.

Companions over the name Doodles: We will still be focusing on a furnished allergy friendly coats. That being said to focus on temperament we may have pairings that result in some unfurnished puppies. We have also wanted to bring down size but have decided that we want to do that with a breed other than the small poodle to minimize higher energy levels. We are currently looking into a Cavalier cross. We also have brought in Bernese to fill in some gaps. Currently our crosses are Poodle, Golden Retriever and Labrador retriever. In the coming pairings you may see Cavalier & Bernese come in. Stay tuned!

Our website will be down for a bit but don’t worry our next list is open for Standard F2b Goldendoodles. We don’t have any puppies available right now & our improved website will be running soon. We truly appreciate all of the support and love from our families & friends!

27/07/2025

New podcast episode with my new hero Rachel Barrios. Rachel’s bravery in being willing to do this episode is inspiring. We talk about most of the behind the scenes doodle breeding stuff you can think of- including the parts that could use some work.

Listen now | with Rachel Barrios, Wilson Family Doodles

23/07/2025

What makes a dog successful at therapy and facility work—walking into fire stations, classrooms, or hospital units with calm and confidence? In this episode, Nancy Mitchell, founder of VIP Dog Teams, a nonprofit breeding and training program focused on placing goal-oriented working dogs in community spaces, talks about the realities of proving dogs in public service, and how schools are asking specifically for low-shedding, purpose-bred companions.

Listen now (72 mins) | with Nancy Mitchell, VIP Dog Teams

16/07/2025

In this piece, Carolyn writes about short-legged dogs, and asks what it means when we laugh at dysfunction.

If this work speaks to you, free or paid subscriptions help more than you know.

What I wish I could unsee about short legged dogs

15/07/2025

Breeder directory is live!

Breeder of Windsprites and Lurchers. Windsprites are small coated sighthounds. These delightful little dogs are easy to live with, low maintenance, affectionate, fun to train, and are incredibly versatile. Whether it’s agility, flyball, rally, hiking, lure coursing, or just snuggling up on the sof...

15/07/2025

This is our new puppy seeker form. Please complete if you would like to be connected to our breeder network. You can also try checking out the breeder directory on the site.

Request information about getting a puppy or dog from CDP

15/07/2025

Well said. Proud to have you as a member Tamarack Therapy Dogs! You’re absolutely right-being in touch with your puppy families and adjusting your breeding plans based on feedback is one of the most basic- but underrated strategies there is. You are doing an amazing job! 💜🐾

Nobody is talking about this breeding strategy - we take into account all of our puppy family feedback when we make our breeding decisions. When you call us and let us know if you’re struggling, or what you love about your dog, we take that information and use it to make even better dogs going forward. Not only are we able to help you navigate any challenges you’re facing, but you’re helping us breed dogs who are unlikely to have that challenge. And after over seventeen years of breeding, and learning from your feedback, we’re pretty proud of the dogs we’re producing! Learn more about what you can expect with a Tamarack Poodle. www.tamaracktherapydogs.com

10/07/2025

Excited to welcome Jessica Perry Hekman, the fearless leader of FDC, as a guest author, sharing this new review article about canine morphology and its implications for health and welfare. Please share widely to help get the word out about this important work!

Healthy Body Shapes vs Breed Specific Disorders: Review article offers a new perspective that could improve breeding practices and increase awareness

08/07/2025

https://companiondogproject.substack.com/p/motherhood-mixed-breed-dogs-and-the