| About Us… Paragon, meaning “a pattern or model of excellence or perfection”. We are an extremely small hobby/show breeder meaning we exhibit our dogs in either conformation or performance classes, and do so mainly as a hobby and not as a business. By choice, we keep our numbers to a minimum to guarantee that each dog or puppy gets the individual attention and care they deserve. Each of our dogs is carefully selected to ensure that we are able to stand by our vision as having “models of excellence”. Each of us in our family plays a special role in the care and development of our dogs. My daughters, ages 6 and 9, socialize each of the puppies and help walk all of the older dogs. They are also great at making fast movements, loud noises, and putting the pups on their backs. This all helps make well adjusted dogs for any family or the show ring. My son, who is 16, helps more with the cleaning and formal training of the dogs. They are also good for watching their sisters while I am at training or in the ring! We do not breed for profit or to provide furry family pets... there are plenty of those waiting for adoption! However, Shelties are a breed that often have wonderful pet quality puppies in a litter even with the most exquisite parents. From time to time we will have some available to only the very best homes! How we Began… My first boy was a sable and white bought from Ruth G. Mancuso and was out of Race the Wind of Jer-Nic x CH Addup 'N Over Mist of Jer-Nic and his pedigree included some well known names of that time. Since my first boy in the 1980's, I have been hooked! He is gone now, but my passion is not. About 7 years ago, I decided I wanted another Sheltie. At the breeder's house, at the same time I was buying my next one, I met my long time good friend, Karen Ritchie, of WindDancer Shelties. Karen has helped me with many difficulties I have had to face, not only with the dogs but also with some people I have run across. That bi-blue boy, Merlin, and I went on to obedience training where we met another wonderful lady, Gerry Green, that allowed my son, Nathan, to co-own and compete with one of her Shelties. At that time Nathan was only 7 years old. He actually did better in the ring than I did! Although I have owned Shelties and Collies most of my life, we did not have our first litter until late in 2001 under the name of Joust- About Shelties. In 2005 when our personal lives took a drastic turn, we thought it was time to make a drastic change with our dogs. At that time, I became a stay-at-home mom after caring for my father-in-law for 9 months while he battled leukemia. This was a very trying time for my family and me and made really realize the most important things in life. With my new found time, we decided that it was time to enter the sport of Conformation Showing and knew we needed a name that was an accurate description what we are trying to do… Taking the best that is available and determined to make it better using the AKC standard as our guide, striving for healthy, balanced, well adjusted dogs and puppies that do well both in the home as well as the show ring. Paragon Shelties was born! Now we own a few more Shelties, and we are working in the breed ring. There is more excitement than ever and we can't wait to see what each of our babies can do for us in the ring!!! What’s Next… As of the Spring of 2006 we have begun our career in the breed ring. We have taken several class placements along the way, but most importantly, we have met some wonderful people and learned more than I could ever imagine! This has been a roller coaster of emotions for us, but we truly enjoy it as a sport and will continue to show with good sportsmanship and have a great time. Watch us closely for the next few years, we have many big plans in the works! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed your visit!!! |
| 10/1/2008 |