We know it’s hard to find a dog breeder you can trust these days, and it becomes even more difficult when most sales are done online. You may never even set foot into the kennel your future furry family member comes from. So welcome to the Woodlot Kennel, where our entire family is passionate about raising future companions for families all over the United States.
Setting the Standard
At Woodlot, we have been breeding dogs for over 15 years, and in that time, we have maintained and built upon industry standards. We are both a state and federally licensed kennel, and we do our utmost to maintain a facility that goes beyond the requirements of Ohio State and the USDA. We are required to have adequate space and shelter from extreme weather. Provide clean food and water. Access to necessary medical care. Provide at least 60 minutes of exercise for the dogs in our kennel. As well as submit to regular inspections under the Animal Welfare Act.
The requirements for licensed dog breeders have often been scrutinized for not requiring enough, even at the state level, which is more strict here in Ohio. It is a point of pride for us to not only maintain both our federal and state licenses but to go beyond what the law requires.
Going Above and Beyond at Woodlot Kennel
Our Facility
Our kennel is one of the most unique you will ever find. We didn’t want to just provide a utilitarian space for our dogs; we wanted to make them comfortable! Each mother has her own indoor space with heated floors, which are especially nice during the cold Ohio winters! These spaces have doggy doors to give them access to a private covered outdoor space sheltered from the weather. This is essential not only to maintain cleanliness in the kennel but also to encourage early potty training for the puppies.
Though we don’t provide any formal potty training to our pups, a canine does have instincts to keep their “den” clean. By providing the mother with outdoor access, she demonstrates this concept from day one. We have found that this keeps the natural inclination for cleanliness intact in the litter. These spaces are cleaned and maintained daily.
Beyond the provided outdoor kennels, we have a large dog yard for all our dogs to safely run and play, as well as two acres for them to explore while in our care. Because this is what we do full-time, regular exercise and socialization are prioritized daily. We know that while we only have a puppy in our care for eight weeks that those weeks are foundational to their development, so we aim to make the most of them!
Veterinary Care at Woodlot Kennel
We don’t just provide necessary medical care. We provide regular veterinary checks for all our dogs, but also ensure the health of future litters with extensive genetic testing. The stewardship of caring for animals is very important to us, and though no one can predict nature, we try our best! We know there is a true science to safe and legal breeding practices, and we have invested a lot of time and money into researching what is ethical and beneficial for our dogs and their future litters.
We know that mixing up the genetic line can keep it clean and free from possible known weaknesses in the breed. With this in mind, we have gone so far as to import our breeding stock from out of the country. All our males and females are kept on-site and are part of our family. This isn’t just a business to us, but a passion. We know the impact a family dog can have, and we wouldn’t want to give you any less than the best we are capable of providing.
Not just Exercise, but Socialization
From day one, our puppies are exposed to our Super Dog Training. We subject each of our puppies to early neurological stimulation to develop strong immunity, healthy growth, and engaging intelligence. All this starts before their eyes even open! We make sure each one is handled daily, and as they grow and mature, they have regularly scheduled playtime with our grandchildren. This is, of course, important to their overall health, but by socializing them, they have better developed temperaments too.
Temperament testing is foundational to finding the right home for each puppy. This is how you get to know the personality of each of these future furry friends without even meeting them. Though if you can, we’d love you to visit! It’s so important to us that each of these pups finds its way into their forever home. If you’re unsure which one would make the best fit, we highly encourage you to talk to our preferred puppy trainer, Kimberly.
Kimberly assesses each puppy and writes the personality descriptions on our website. She’s going to be honest with you, and we want her to be! If she doesn’t think the puppy you have your heart set on is a good fit, we trust her to let you know. This may mean we don’t make the sale, but we’d rather our pups be the best companions to their future families.
If you are on the lookout for a furry companion to share your life with, we hope you find one at the Woodlot Kennel! Take a look at our upcoming litters, read their temperament descriptions, and contact Gladys, who will be happy to guide you!