It’s always a pleasure to see what it’s like to be a Pawrade breeder partner, and dog breeder Jerry gave us insight into what his life entails as he raises and prepares puppies for their forever homes. Jerry operates a USDA-licensed, AKC-approved, and Purdue Certified kennel. His commitment to a puppy-first approach and excellence in producing well-rounded Great Danes, St. Berdoodles, Bernedoodles, and French Bulldogs are evident in the level of quality of his breeding program.
Our breeders have a rich history of pursuing their dog-related dreams, and Jerry is no exception. Breeding dogs has been a long-standing passion of Jerry’s. He started at a young age and went full-time 10 years ago. Responsible breeders are always looking for opportunities to improve their breeding programs. Jerry built his new kennel five years ago, which was an exciting time for both Jerry and his puppies, noting, “I added more space, floor heating, and music playing for dams and puppies.” Playing music for puppies and dams has several positive effects on puppies, such as a calming effect on their well-being, reducing stress, helping them sleep properly, and creating a safe, pleasant environment.
While we at Pawrade think all our breeders are the cream of the crop, Jerry’s ambition is to be one of our top-notch breeders. He was drawn to a Pawrade partnership because “I like the idea of the pups going to new homes one by one instead of through a pet store. I have been with Pawrade going on 2 years and really like the process so far,” Jerry explained.
Learn about what Pawrade breeder partner Jerry says about his breeding program and his favorite types of dog breeds to send to their forever homes.
What It’s Like to Be a Pawrade Breeder Partner
Pawrade breeders must pass a rigorous screening process to be accepted as one of our partners. It’s evident how Jerry belongs as a trustworthy member of the Pawrade family when you examine his breeding program.
It all begins with the sire and dam
A responsible breeder like Jerry aims to create puppies with the very best physical traits and disposition of each breed. This begins with a careful selection of the dam and sire.
Jerry selects females from his own litters to become dams. He will either look online or locally for a sire that embodies the best of the breed and meets his high expectations. All of his sires live on site and are part of the family. Dams are retired after 4-6 litters or at 6 years old, whichever comes first. All information about parents is kept in a special cabinet for future reference.
Selecting parents goes beyond merely looking at temperament and looks. Part of ensuring a healthy match is to conduct genetic testing before breeding begins. Jerry utilizes Embark genetic tests which look at thousands of locations on a dog’s genome and run through a database to identify any issues that may be passed down to puppies. He knows the more knowledge he has as he makes his selection, the more likely he is to produce a healthy, robust litter.
Such careful attention to pedigree is evident in Jerry’s efforts to produce amazing dogs. “We have had one sire that was a therapy dog before coming to us,” said Jerry. “We’ve also had about 12 puppies that have gone to new homes that have been trained to be therapy dogs, and a few have even become champions.”
Documenting progress
As soon as the puppies are born, Jerry springs into action by carefully documenting everything about the puppies. Each puppy is clearly marked and has a special file. Puppies are weighed once a week, and progress is documented for future owners. Once puppies have a forever home, their new addresses and other information are added to the growing file.
Jerry administers his own core rounds of puppy vaccines except for rabies due to it being a vaccination given after they are old enough to leave for their new families. Puppies go to their licensed veterinarian for their health certificates and final checks before they go home.
Preparing puppies for life outside the kennel
Jerry’s attention to detail is crucial each week the puppies develop to ensure well-adjusted puppies. Some key factors he facilitates and monitors are potty training, proper nutrition, and socialization.
For the first month or so, the dam helps puppies eliminate their waste since their systems aren’t fully developed yet at birth. Once the puppies have a handle on it themselves, Jerry will begin encouraging them to use a doggy door.
Proper nutrition is vital to healthy puppies. A dam’s colostrum and milk are perfect sustenance for rapidly growing puppies, containing all the vitamins and nutrients needed in those crucial early weeks. “We begin introducing puppy food around 3 weeks, feeding them Purina Pro Plan according to their breed size when they are fully weaned at 6 weeks. We feed our adults Tuffy’s Gold,” said Jerry. “We recommend chicken or small peanut butter training treats for new puppy owners training their puppies.”
Early socialization for puppies sets the foundation for their lifelong personalities and seamless adjustment to the real world beyond the whelping box. Socialized puppies are less likely to develop fear and aggression later in life and are more likely to engage in positive ways with humans and other dogs and pets.
Jerry is proud to be a Canine Care Certified Breeder through Purdue University. Breeders achieving this prestigious certification must “meet or exceed rigorous standards for physical and behavioral welfare in areas such as nutrition, veterinary care, genetic screening, housing, handling, and exercise.” The program adheres to ensure documented quality care for dogs and puppies using science-based standards. Jerry's daughters take the puppies out of their pen daily to socialize them with toys and other stimuli to give them a solid foundation for becoming well-rounded companions.
Going home and beyond
Once the puppies are health-cleared, fed well, and socialized, they are ready for their new homes. “We don’t like to send dogs home before 9 weeks old,” explained Jerry. Puppies need adequate time to learn from their dam and littermates, and in general, puppies should not go home before 8 weeks of age.
All Pawrade puppies have a variety of travel options that work best for the new family. All puppies are sent home with food and a few other perks depending on the pickup method. If they aren’t going with a transporter, they include a goody bag with “a leash, harness, treats, toys, and a blanket with Mom's scent. We also provide a food and water bowl if they have a long trip home and the new owner didn’t bring them any with them,” stated Jerry.
New puppy owners also have the option to obtain registration paperwork if they wish to register their puppies. Breeding rights are offered at an extra cost of $500.
Jerry said, “We love to hear how our puppies are doing!” Jerry communicates via phone with his new puppy owners. Sometimes the buyer will mail something to the address or email them to keep in touch with their puppies’ progress.
Jerry’s Preferred Dog Breeds
Being an experienced breeder for many years, Jerry has had the opportunity to work with a variety of dog breeds and loves different qualities about each breed.
Great Danes
While Jerry has bred several different dog breeds during his time as a breeder, he has a soft spot for Great Danes. These gentle giants have a loving, sensitive disposition. While their size may intimidate some, Great Danes are excellent family dogs and love being silly with children as their playmates. “I love their temperament and appearance. I choose breeds that are family-friendly and don't shed a lot,” Jerry noted.
Great Danes, as their name implies, are massive yet elegant dogs weighing 110-175+ lbs. and standing 28-32 in. when fully grown. Because they are so large, their puppy bones are not fully developed until about 2 years old, and they can also exhibit an extended puppyhood. Great Dane puppy owners should assess their homes, vehicles, and finances to see if they can care for such a large, beautiful dog.
St. Berdoodles
A St. Berdoodle is a cross between a St. Bernard and a Poodle. St. Bernards were originally working dogs from mountainous regions in the Alps built to withstand frigid temperatures and rough terrain as they assisted stranded travelers on pilgrimages. Poodles were bred to retrieve ducks and are agile, athletic dogs. St. Bernards are mellow and gentle, and Poodles are smart and friendly, making a fantastic genetic combination of temperament in an energetic St. Berdoodle.
St. Berdoodles will grow to be large dogs, as both parents can weigh 70-180+ lbs. at the top range or smaller with parents in the 40-120+ lb. range. Their coats can take on the curliness of the Poodle or the straight, slightly wavy coat of a St. Bernard. They are considered to be hypoallergenic dogs, meaning they produce less dander than other breeds.
Bernedoodles
Another family-friendly, low-to-no-shedding type of dog Jerry breeds is Bernedoodles. A Bernedoodle is a mix between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. Standard Bernedoodles are large dogs, while a Mini Bernedoodle can weigh around 40 pounds. Because they are a Poodle mix, Bernedoodles are also considered hypoallergenic and a great choice for people suffering from allergies.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are sweet, affectionate, and calm, especially around children. Some people have given them the nickname “Nanny dog” in reference to how they watch over and play with their human siblings. Poodles are loving to their families and great with children as well.
As a result of both parent breeds’ dispositions, Bernedoodles are goofy, gentle, and friendly. They’re a great choice for an active family or individual looking for an all-around excellent companion.
French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are a wildly popular dog breed, ousting the Labrador Retriever for the first time in over 30 years on the AKC’s Most Popular Dog Breed List of 2023, and it’s easy to see why when you learn about their personalities. Also called Frenchies, French Bulldogs are even-tempered, sociable, and very funny! A French Bulldog will make you laugh with their wide smiles, stocky muscular bodies on short legs, tall, bat-like ears, and their famous smooshed-in faces. French Bulldogs will weigh up to 28 lbs. and stand 11-13 in. tall when fully grown, a perfect size for apartment living.
A French Bulldog’s low maintenance needs and laid-back personality make it a great fit for first-time puppy owners, seniors, individuals, and families as a versatile dog. They love playing with children and get along well with other pets and are always up for an adventure.
Find Trustworthy Breeders at Pawrade
Jerry partners with Pawrade because of our reputation and comprehensive list of services. Pawrade operates with a Puppy First Approach and focuses on thorough screening of both buyers and breeders like Jerry to eliminate the prevalent risk of online puppy scams while ensuring puppies find one forever home. We offer a comprehensive 3-year health guarantee, 30 days of MetLife insurance, a health certificate, vet records, and travel options for each puppy.
Jerry embodies everything we at Pawrade strive for when breeders apply to be a part of our hand-selected partner program. He goes above and beyond with his various certifications, attention to detail, and robust breeding program resulting in puppies ready to begin a long, wonderful life with you. To find bright-eyed puppies like Jerry’s, browse our puppies for sale to find your very own fluffball raised in a loving, caring environment by our trustworthy breeder partners.
