Dakota Sheepdogs are a new breed that is bred from English Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, and Poodles. Originally inspired from "Jack", on the "Little House On The Prairie". The intention is to breed a perfect family dog! Being very smart, easy to train, gentle, loving, faithful, not at all shy or hyper, but having a nice, medium temperment. Fun, as far as playing ball with the kids, but also low to no shedding.
We have been breeding dogs since 1988, and continue to constantly research and learn more about dogs, and temperments. We long since learned that the temperment of any animal is extremily important! Along with health, and of coarse, everyone prefers good looking dogs! The Dakota Sheepdog is being bred after our own experiences, trials, and quest for the perfect dog!
Appearance: The face is neither long or short, with a medium width skull, a medium stop, and floppy, expressive ears that are not overly long, nor real short. The muzzle is either clean, or fluffy. The body is compact, square built, never being overly long. Legs are a good length, that matches the body, not being too short, and having longer feathering, or fluffy hair. The tail is not docked, having a lot of feathering. The coat is on the longer side, often being fluffy enough to be low to no shedding, but without being overly fluffy. Never being curly, though some may have waves? Haircuts may be occasionally neccessary. As with any longer haired breed, grooming is neccessary.
Color: Dakota Sheepdogs come in a variety of colors, with most colors being possible. Most, but not all, have white markings, often being the Collie type markings, with the white blaze, white legs or feet, white tip on the tail, and a white collar. Sables, Merles, tan markings, as well as solid colors.
Preferences: The typical Collie type white markings are preferred, and a fluffy faced, non to very low shedding type coat is prefereed. The preferred mature size is 14 to 16 inches tall for females, and 15 to 17 inches tall for males. Being a nice, medium sized dog, that can adjust to any lifestyle. A dog that is neither hyper or shy is typical. Dakota Sheepdogs are bred to have no, to minimal health problems.
Variations: A smaller sized, Mini Dakota Sheepdog may become available in the future?
Uses: Dakota Sheepdogs are mostly bred as perfect family pets! A devoted friend to a child, a fun, sturdy dog in fetching, agility, and other dog sports. May be trained to herd. An all around good, versatile dog, in a good looking, medium package that may suite many different life styles. Since we obviously live with dogs, we are the first to appreciate low to no shedding!
Experiences: Though we have planned and reasearched the breeding of Dakota Sheepdogs for many years, we have so far had just one litter. Though we did not yet capture the desired coat that we are seeking, we have been more then pleased with the look and temperment of these pups! We will continue to breed in the "correct" traits, and perfect this new breed. Of coarse, breeding any new breed does take time!
Observations: Holly & Polly, pictured on the left, are 2 Dakota Sheepdog puppies. We found that loud noises, vehicles, and even ATV's, were causes for upright, curious, head cocking looks. Hands and faces are for licking, but not chewing on, biting, or snapping at. Sticks & toys ARE for chewing on, bringing to the peoples, and taking away from eachother. Both girls have always been the first to meet us, with tails wagging! Trips to the vet & airport are good times to take a nap. (Rather then to cry, bark, get car sick, ect..) Vets are also good for licking on. Especially when he tells them how cute they are! Puppy gates that are short enough for people to step over, are not tall enough for a Dakota Sheepdog puppy, even though they are tall enough for the other puppies.
Why a Dakota Sheepdog? Large dogs have a tendancy to learn that they are large. Most often, a large dog can be stubborn! Very small, Toy sized dogs have a tendancy to get very spoiled. (Of coarse, us humans cannot be to blame for that! Who can resist such a tiny little dog, that just must need extra care and pampering? ;o) Therefore, we find that a nice, medium sized dog is often the easiest to train, handle, and live with.
Have you ever had a dog that piddles when excited or scared? Ever have a dog that barks excessively, or cries, when confined or seperated from their loved ones? A dog that is difficult to train? Or one that chews up everything in site? A very shy dog, or a very hyper dog, that tends to bounce off the walls? A dog that runs off, or one that gets car sick? A dog with unessessary aggression? A dog that sheds excessively? A dog with hip, eye, or other major, heartbreaking health problems?
Of coarse, training and socialization are the best tools to solve these problems! But if many problems can be bred out, it sure helps things! A dog that naturally has a great temperment, that handles travel well, is not fearful, nor overly demanding, a dog that prefers to stay at home, and with it's family. One that is very gentle, with natural manners, yet willing to play fetch, and play, but not eat your furniture! A dog with a strong bladder, and a strong willingness to learn and please! A dog that is content to be quiet, unless there is a good reason to bark. A very low, to no shedding dog, that comes a variety of colors, and is a very cute dog! A dog that is bred without health faults. These are all things that a Dakota Sheepdog is bred for. All things that the breeding stock of the Dakota Sheepdog was very carefully choosen, for generations, in the quest for breeding the perfect dog. We will continue to use only the very best in breeding the Dakota Sheepdogs for future generations! We have looked at all aspects of the dog in general, and put together the best of the best!
Available Dakota Sheepdogs: Litter born on March 27th, 2008. Very low to no shedding puppies expected. Colors & marking vary. The puppies with the desired white markings are higher priced then those without them. A pedigree is included with your puppy.
