Posts in Breeding
Why Stokeshire Designer Doodles Recommends PennHIP Over OFA: A Clearer Path to Healthier Hips in Bernese, Aussies, Poodles & Goldens

Hip health is one of the most misunderstood topics in the doodle world—especially when you're combining breeds with very different hip histories like the Bernese Mountain Dog, Australian Shepherd, Standard Poodle, and Golden Retriever. At Stokeshire Designer Doodles here in Wisconsin, we spend an enormous amount of time educating families and improving our bloodlines. One of the biggest conversations we have is the difference between OFA and PennHIP.

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The 10 Foundations of Ethical Dog Breeding: A Modern Guide for 2026

Responsible dog breeding isn’t about producing puppies—it’s about stewardship. It requires science, ethics, and a deep commitment to canine welfare. Guided by Purdue’s Canine Welfare Science principles, today’s breeders must blend genetics, behavior, environment, and lifelong care into a single mission: raising healthier, more stable dogs and supporting the families who love them. These 10 pillars outline what responsible, welfare-focused breeding truly looks like in 2026.

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Golden Retrievers vs Australian Shepherds: Best Family Dog Comparison

Golden Retrievers and Australian Shepherds are two of America’s most loved breeds—but they shine in very different types of homes. Goldens are gentle, social, and eager to please, making them a natural fit for families, therapy work, and first-time dog owners. Australian Shepherds, including the Mini American Shepherd, offer unmatched intelligence, loyalty, and work ethic, thriving with active families who enjoy structure, training, and adventure. In this guide, we compare temperament, energy, shedding, trainability, health, and the modern roles of both breeds—plus how Stokeshire uses their strengths in our intentional hybrid lines like the Golden Mountain Doodle and Aussie Mountain Doodle.

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BreedingJames StokesBreeds
In Defense of Doodles: The Truth About Hybrid Dogs, Breeding Ethics, and Canine Health

At Stokeshire, we’re not just defending Doodles—we’re rewriting the narrative. This in-depth guide unpacks the science behind hybrid vigor, the ethics of crossbreeding, and the veterinary support for health-first breeding. Whether you're a Doodle parent, breeder, or curious skeptic, you'll leave with the facts, language, and confidence to stand behind responsibly bred hybrid dogs.

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Why the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank Matters—Even to a Hybrid Breeder Like Us

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we champion ethical hybrid breeding, specializing in health-tested Australian Mountain Doodles and Golden Mountain Doodles. We believe preserving purebred genetics is essential to the future of all responsible breeding. The AKC Purebred Preservation Bank (PPB) plays a vital role in protecting endangered purebred lines—like Bernese Mountain Dogs, Poodles, and Australian Shepherds—which form the genetic foundation of our beloved hybrids. By safeguarding frozen semen from genetically sound sires, the PPB helps prevent extinction, maintain genetic diversity, and secure the future of both purebred and hybrid dogs. Ethical breeding begins with honoring our roots. Learn why we support the PPB and how purebred preservation powers long-term canine health and purpose.

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Why Temperament-Focused Breeding Matters at Stokeshire

At Stokeshire, we're redefining what it means to be a responsible dog breeder by prioritizing temperament over appearance. Through science-backed evaluations, early socialization, and ethical placement, we’re raising emotionally intelligent puppies that are confident, calm, and perfectly matched to their future families or service roles.

Let me know if you'd like a version tailored for Instagram, a press release, or Google snippet format.

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BreedingJames Stokes