A Year of Stewardship: Deep Roots and New Beginnings
As the final days of the year settle in like a soft blanket, we find ourselves pausing to catch our breath and look back. It’s that quiet, reflective time—perhaps you’re reading this with a warm mug in hand, a flickering candle nearby, and hopefully, a furry friend snoozing at your feet.
For us, this year hasn’t been a race to the finish line. We haven’t focused on speed or scaling for numbers’ sake. Instead, we’ve embraced a slower, more intentional rhythm—focused on the deep, often unseen work that ensures a breeding program isn’t just successful for a season but sustainable for generations.
This year was about putting down roots. It marked a turning point in our journey of stewardship—and we’re so ready to share the heart of that journey with you.
A Legacy Built on Patience
Stokeshire was never built in a day—nor should it have been. If you know us, you know we believe the best things, like a perfectly aged cheese or a well-trained dog, take time.
Our program today reflects more than a decade of study, patience, and meticulous design. We’ve pored over genetics, analyzed temperament, evaluated structure, and thought deeply about long-term family fit. Breeding here is both art and science—treated with academic rigor because your family deserves nothing less than a healthy, happy, and predictable companion.
This year, we saw the fruit of that patience. We didn’t just grow; we deepened.
Families, Trust, and a Global Community
Over the past twelve months, we’ve had the privilege of serving families across the United States—and beyond. It’s been a joy to welcome households from dozens of states and multiple countries into the Stokeshire family.
Whether you’re joining us from a bustling city apartment or a quiet countryside home, what matters most isn’t where you come from, but how you come to us—thoughtfully, patiently, and with a shared commitment to health, harmony, and lifelong stewardship.
We see this community as an extension of our own—a sweet Midwest welcome that now stretches across oceans. The trust you place in us shapes everything we do, and we don’t take that lightly.
Preparing the Next Generation
One of the most meaningful developments this year has happened quietly, behind the scenes. We’ve been preparing new dams and sires to enter the Stokeshire program—and we couldn’t be more excited.
These dogs aren’t random additions. They’re the culmination of years—sometimes generations—of careful selection. When we evaluate a potential parent, we’re not just looking for a cute face (though they certainly have those!). We’re focused on:
Temperament stability: Ensuring that “chill” therapy-grade vibe we love.
Structural soundness: Building healthy bodies for long, active lives.
Genetic diversity: Strengthening lines responsibly.
Coat consistency: That signature, huggable Stokeshire texture.
Some of the dogs you’ll meet in the coming year represent bloodlines we’ve studied for more than a decade. Their arrival isn’t about novelty—it’s about continuity. Ensuring that the Stokeshire Doodle you meet ten years from now is every bit as wonderful as the one you meet today.
Supporting Families Long After "Gotcha Day"
Our responsibility doesn’t end when a puppy leaves our arms—it truly begins there.
This year, we marked the beta launch of our private Stokeshire App, currently available exclusively to our Doodle School families. Built as a steady hand for the early months, it helps families:
Follow training routines and milestones.
Access stage-appropriate guidance.
Centralize health records and care notes.
Stay connected to the Stokeshire Method™ in one place.
We’re refining the platform with real families and real dogs before a full release—ensuring it feels as grounded and intuitive as the experience it supports.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values
Our foundation of care led to a milestone we’re deeply honored to share: Cloud7 selected Stokeshire as its first North American approved retailer.
If you’re unfamiliar, Cloud7 is globally respected for its sustainability, craftsmanship, and uncompromising ethics. Their collaborations are selective and built on alignment, not promotion.
To be chosen by them affirms the quiet values we hold—care, integrity, and long-term thinking. It’s a partnership that fits, much like a well-loved leather collar: effortlessly, naturally, right.
A Season of Gratitude and New Life
As we look ahead, our hearts are full. We’re grateful to share that Buttercup, Mavi, Feta, and Daisy are all expecting.
Each pairing was planned with care and intention. We’re thankful for healthy moms, growing pups, and another season of life entrusted to us. We can already imagine the joy these little ones will bring—from sleepy snuggles to tail-wagging excitement at Sunday barbecues.
We’ll share more as we near whelping—but for now, we rest in gratitude.
Looking Ahead: Rooted and Ready
This year wasn’t about becoming bigger. It was about becoming more rooted.
With new sires and dams entering the program, systems built to support families long-term, and partnerships that mirror our values, we step into the new year with gratitude, clarity, and quiet confidence.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re waiting for your first puppy, raising a Stokeshire Doodle, or simply following along—we’re so glad you’re here.
With care,
James & Katie Stokes
Stokeshire Designer Doodles