About Foxtail Hollow...

About Foxtail Hollow

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Foxtail Hollow is located in eastern North Carolina, just outside of Washington, NC. We are a family run breeding program dedicated to raising healthy, well-tempered Miniature American Shepherd puppies prepared for life as trusted companions. 

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Miniature American Shepherds are the heart of our program. Over the years, we have come to deeply appreciate their intelligence, loyalty and affectionate nature. Their versatility and devotion make them such a natural fit for family life and we are passionate about preserving those qualities through thoughtful, intentional breeding.

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While Miniature American Shepherds are our primary focus, we also maintain a limited German Shorthaired Pointer program. Our GSP litters are occasional and carefully planned, and this portion of our program remains small as we continue refining our long term direction. 

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Our Family & Our Dogs

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Foxtail Hollow truly is a family effort.

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I raise our puppies alongside my daughter Sarah, and together with the rest of our family, we care for all of our dogs. Our dogs are an important part of our family and our daily lives. Each of our dogs is intentionally paired with one of us within our household. They are first and foremost beloved companions- someone's daily sidekick and adventure buddy, someone's responsibility, someone's constant presence- long before they are ever part of a breeding plan. 

 

Our dogs live as part of our home and share in the natural rhythm of our family life. We believe the foundation of any responsible breeding program begins with how the adult dogs are valued and cared for.

 

As our program has grown over time, we have remained intentional about structure and balance, ensuring that every dog receives individual attention, enrichment and a true sense of belonging.

 

Our Commitment to Health and Temperament

 

We are committed to raising well-rounded, stable Miniature American Shepherds who reflect the temperament, structure and versatility the breed is known for while thriving as companions.

 

Health and temperament are foundational to our breeding program. All of our breeding dogs undergo Embark full panel genetic testing along with GenSol shepherd-specific NAD testing. As our dogs mature, we complete OFA hip and elbow evaluations once they reach the appropriate age. Health testing results are available for review.

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Equally important to us is temperament. We carefully evaluate the personality, stability and social nature of every dog before including them in our program. Our goal is to raise Miniature American Shepherds who are not only structurally sound, but emotionally steady, adaptable and well suited for life as family companions.

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Breeding, for us, is never about numbers. It is about producing Miniature American Shepherds with a firm foundation who are confident, affectionate and prepared to integrate smoothly into family life.

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We are committed to continually strengthening our program through careful evaluation, responsible breeding practices and ongoing learning. 

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How We Raise Our Puppies

 

Our puppies are raised inside our home and gently introduced to everyday household life from the very beginning.

 

They receive:

-Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

-Intentional early development designed to build

  confident, well-balanced puppies

-Daily handling and intentional socialization

-Introduction to crate training

-Pee pad training and/or litter box training

-Regular deworming and age-appropriate vaccinations

-Microchipping

-Registration paperwork

-A written health guarantee

 

We observe each puppy closely as they grow and develop and temperament evaluate them before thoughtfully matching them with the right family. Our goal is to send home puppies who are secure, adaptable and ready to become beloved companions.

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Our Approach to Natural Tails and Dew Claws

 

We keep natural tails on our puppies and do not dock tails or remove dew claws.

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This has been a personal choice within our program from the beginning. We believe in preserving the natural expression and structure of the breed while raising dogs primarily for companionship and family life. For us, it aligns with how we approach breeding as a whole- thoughtful, intentional and centered around the long term well being of our dogs.

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Within our Miniature American Shepherd program, some puppies are naturally born with bobtails, as that gene is present in our lines. Others are born with full tails and we leave them as they are. Our German Shorthaired Pointers are also kept natural. 

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We respect that practices vary within the breed community but this is the path that feels right for our home and our program.

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About Registration

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Our Miniature American Shepherds are registered through ASDR and/or dual registered with AKC when eligible. 

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The AKC recognizes the breed as the Miniature American Shepherd while ASDR registers Toy and Mini Australian Shepherds. Regardless of registry designation, we strive to breed to Miniature American Shepherd standards with a focus on health, temperament and companion suitability. 

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Our German Shorthaired Pointers are AKC registered.

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Closing

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Raising puppies is both a privilege and a responsibility we take seriously. Our goal is not simply to produce puppies but to raise ones with a firm foundation to be stable, well-prepared companions who will bring years of joy, adventure and loyalty to the families who welcome them home.

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We are grateful for the trust families place in us and remain committed to thoughtful, intentional breeding rooted in family life. 

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