Moon Dream Cavaliers
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Moon Dream Cavaliers
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Meet the Breeders
Katie Schneider
In 2019, my daughter and I established a small-scale dog grooming business centered around our core objective of delivering gentle and safe grooming services. Although I do not directly participate in the grooming process, I enjoy spending time at the salon, meeting our four-legged clients.
While my ultimate goal is to become a stay-at-home dog mom, I currently fulfill my professional commitments as a Technical Analyst, by working from the comfort of my well-equipped home office, which doubles as a craft room and puppy nursery.
I have a passion for continuous learning and have directed my focus towards the aspects of breeding, whelping, neonatal care, and puppy training. I have found several exceptional programs that have enhanced our program's overall effectiveness.
Furthermore, my daughter's love for animals has proven invaluable, as she consistently provides knowledge and insights, which contribute significantly to the success and advancement of our breeding program. Her overall experience and meticulous research is vital to helping us reach our goals.
I also dedicate time to improving my skills in dog-oriented crafting. I take pleasure in creating cute bandanas and bows for our salon, adding a touch of glamour to each grooming session. I crochet cozy sweaters and blankets for our puppies, and during the winter season, I sew dog scarves. Each item is created with love and typically made with ‘dog in lap’.
Kaci Esperes
I am Kaci, one of the breeders of Moon Dream Cavaliers. Throughout my life, I have nurtured a deep love for animals of all kinds. From a young age, I dedicated myself to rescuing strays and caring for orphaned wildlife. It has always been my desire to incorporate animals into my life's work. Initially, I seized volunteer opportunities primarily focused on feline care. However, I eventually discovered my true calling as a dog groomer.
In 2019, my mother and I established a small, home-based grooming salon to provide a conducive environment where I can offer personalized, gentle, and loving care to all my clients. With my experience as a dog groomer, I have gained a unique perspective on breeding. Working closely with dogs of varying breeds and different life stages has allowed me to develop profound insights into canine behavior, as well as the challenges that dogs and their owners encounter in their daily lives. When I am not actively grooming or working with dogs, I continuously strive to expand my knowledge by attending classes, pursuing certificate programs, listening to podcasts, reading books, and engaging in online learning opportunities. All these endeavors have contributed to shaping my objectives for our breeding program.
First and foremost, our primary focus is always on promoting and maintaining optimal health. To achieve this, we rely on DNA and OFA testing. In addition, we collaborate closely with a reputable veterinarian who specializes in reproductive health and neonatal care, ensuring the well-being and safety of our dogs and puppies.
Secondly, our goal is to provide excellent socialization for our puppies, which in turn sets them up for lifelong success in their new homes. We employ a combination of tools and methods, including the incorporation of Puppy Culture techniques. Furthermore, each puppy undergoes introductory sessions to grooming, encompassing baths, blow drying, and the process of nail trimming and dremeling. It is of utmost importance to me that every puppy under my care develops the trust and confidence necessary to become a contented
and well-balanced companion.Lastly, open communication with new families is a paramount objective. I highly encourage families to voice any questions they may have, and I am committed to offering relevant information to assist them in making informed decisions regarding the care of their new puppy. Recognizing that each family possesses unique requirements, I draw upon my experience working with numerous dogs and their owners. By actively engaging in dialogue with families, I can better understand their specific needs and aspirations. Consequently, I can tailor my approach to best support the development of their individual puppy and help fulfill those needs. For instance, if a family already possesses a large breed dog, I ensure their puppy spends ample time engaging with my standard poodle and being introduced to other large breeds. Additionally, I warmly encourage families to maintain an ongoing line of communication with me even after the puppy has left my care. I remain devoted to helping in tackling any challenges that may arise, and I genuinely delight in receiving (p)updates and photographs of our puppies as they grow.
Breeding Healthy
Puppy Culture Method
This comprehensive socialization and training program provides support from birth until the puppies are ready to go home. Operating on a foundation of positive reinforcement, we closely monitor each puppy's development and introduce suitable challenges to foster their confidence and equip them with the necessary skills for a successful future.
Health & Behavior
Our primary objective is to enhance the overall health of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels through selective breeding. Although this breed may be predisposed to a few health issues such as certain eye conditions, patella luxation, hip dysplasia, middle ear infections, mitral valve heart disease, and syringomyelia, it is crucial to acknowledge that these conditions can be effectively identified through screening processes. By providing appropriate care and attention, Cavaliers can enjoy a comfortable life well into their senior years.
In our breeding program, we diligently conduct DNA testing for all our female dogs and carefully pair them with studs that possess compatible DNA profiles, ensuring a positive genetic advancement. Furthermore, we adhere to the highest standards by extensively employing OFA testing and certifications, exclusively utilizing studs that have received their own OFA certification.
When acquiring a Cavalier puppy, we strongly urge potential owners to select a responsible breeder who places significant importance on health-testing all potential breeding stock. This conscientious approach not only contributes to the overall well-being of the breed but also significantly elevates the likelihood of acquiring a robust and thriving companion.
Some History
In 1926, Roswell Eldridge placed an ad challenging British breeders to bring back a royal breed of spaniels that were on the edge of extinction. He sought to recreate the old type of Blenheim Spaniels shown in pictures of Charles II’s time. After Charles II's death in 1685, the appearance of his spaniels began to change due to a fascination with flat-faced breeds from Asia. Eldridge offered a cash prize for male and female spaniels that matched his description, and despite initial disinterest, several dogs entered Eldridge's special classes at a famous dog show. Gradually, breeders started intentionally breeding the restored spaniel, and a club was formed for this new breed. The breed, known as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, was officially recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1945 and by the AKC in 1996. Eldridge's motivation for restoring this breed is unknown, but his efforts were successful in bringing back a spaniel breed that had mostly existed in paintings. Although Eldridge didn't live to see it, these spaniels are still around today.
Family Stories
We adopted Bailey at 9 weeks, our 2nd time adopting (our first Cavi is now 10 mos) with Moon Dream. Both had a headstart on crate and potty training, and both were exposed to kids and pets. More importantly both were very loved, and came to us as confident pups with many experiences already such as car rides and spa grooming. We received many pupdates while they grew and matured. Could not ask for any more from a loving and responsible breeder. Would not hesitate to adopt from Katie! ❤️Leanne
LeeLoo came to us highly socialized. I'm a convert now to the training that Katie does with all the puppies at Moon Dream Cavaliers. Katie sent us pictures and updates throughout the process. She loves her dogs and is the most responsible breeder I've ever worked with . Would highly recommend this breeder.
Diana
This is a long overdue review, but we just knew we had to leave one. From the very first time we communicated with Moon Dream Cavaliers to take home day and everything in between, was nothing short of professional and caring. Katie is not only extremely knowledgeable of the breed but she truly cares for each of her puppies. She also cares about the families who will be adopting. She answered all of our questions promptly and was up front and honest every step of the way. We were able to meet the Mom of our puppy prior to the birth. Katie kept us informed with calls, texts, and photos daily. Katie also went above and beyond and did some specialized training and socialization with our puppy before we took him home. She also worked on potty training. This made the transition to our home easy. He was well behaved and responded to our training and prompts very well, and continues to be a mild mannered well behaved puppy. Our family just loves him. We cannot say enough positive things about our overall experience with Katie and Moon Dream Cavaliers.
Jessica
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