Bringing Joy One Doodle at a Time...
Alright, here’s the thing: I can’t quite pinpoint the exact moment or the place in time when Joe dropped this little bombshell on me, but trust me, it’s etched in my memory forever.
Picture this: I was knee-deep in homeschooling three of our children while simultaneously navigating the exhausting world of college for the other three. And let’s just say that our finances were doing an impressive rendition of the limbo—heading downward at alarming speed while our expenses were on the rise. My late-night freelance writing sessions brought in just enough to keep a goldfish alive, all while my health took a turn for the worse, courtesy of round two with cancer. Fun times, right?
As if the chaos of life wasn’t enough, we’d also said goodbye to our beloved Golden Retriever, Sunny. I’m pretty sure the echo of her adorable little toenails pattering on our floors was ringing in my ears that day. So, it’s no surprise that when Joe announced with a grin, “When we’re ready for another dog, let’s make it our pet and our home business. Let’s try dog breeding,” my brain was having a mini-meltdown.
A silent, “Huh?” raced through my mind, complete with cartoonish sound effects. Seriously, Joe? Dog breeding? In the middle of all this? Add to the mom, homeschooler, writer, and domestic engineer roles, the bonified title “furry fertility specialist?”
So my second thought didn’t just tiptoe in quietly. "Dog breeding? Me? I can barely keep a houseplant alive. And I’m not going to be one of those 'backyard breeders.'” Then Joe looked at me with those puppy dog eyes. Pun intended. He assured me his ambitions were loftier than just a humble backyard operation. Apparently, he had dreams of doggie da Vinci and puppy Picassos in mind.
But God had me in a place in my life, as a wife, of learning to lean on Joe's wisdom. So, I joined the expedition, and I began outlining our priorities. If we were going to do this, we’d do it right! It came down to this:
1. A New Pet: We wanted a family member from a reputable breeder focused on ethics and health. After losing our sweet Sunny, we sought a dog with excellent genetics to ensure healthy puppies with a quality stud. 2. A Breeding Dog: Our future breeding dog would combine the English Golden Retriever’s teddy bear features and the Poodle’s non-shedding trait while also possessing a great temperament. She would have health clearances to guarantee joy and longevity in her puppies, honoring Sunny’s legacy but without the shedding. 3. A Mentor: I started out clueless and had a lot to learn, from basics to breeding standards. And what in the world is a pig railing? I committed to prioritizing dog welfare and breed standards, followed by customer satisfaction and my own interests. To build a successful business, I began connecting with experienced breeders. But oh my! Breaking into the elite world of dog breeding felt like trying to waltz into a black-tie gala wearing crocs and pajamas. Every time I politely knocked on a door, it slammed shut. One breeder even had the audacity to accuse me of what I found most abhorrent—backyard breeding! I mean, really? Talk about a twist. Suddenly, I understood why there were “backyard breeders”—because finding someone who actually wanted to mentor newbies or share quality bloodlines was like hunting for a vegan at the Texas barbecue we attended at last year’s GANA Conference. Three years passed... Still no puppy. The wait was excruciating, especially as our nine-year-old son, Daniel, continued to plead for a four-legged companion. Yet deep down, I felt an urge to hold off. That "something" guiding me was God. I leaned into prayer and patience. Still, Daniel and I found ourselves often detouring to the local pet rescue, seeking our “puppy fix.” Our routine became a ritual; we would slowly wander through the aisles of hopeful puppies, and then we’d escape to that special room where we could snuggle and play with as many as possible—until the workers caught on to us and gently ushered us along. I began to reason a rescue dog would be a lot less work, emotion, and cost, and it seemed more ethical to welcome home a rescue. But other thoughts haunted me. How about those owners needing very specific qualities in a dog, like assurance of health and longevity, or ability and temperament to train to be emotional support or service dog, or the need for hypoallergenic and no shedding, or medical acuity, such as assistance in alerting an owner of low blood sugar? Specialty bred dogs had their place. So, once again, I felt that whisper to wait and endure. Then it happened. One day, our dear friends Tim and Deanne Geurkink reached out to us. God was orchestrating something profound in their lives, too. They had experience in ethical dog breeding and asked if we could partner with them. In that moment, I recognized God's perfect timing, woven into our lives in a way that could only He could do. Without hesitation, I said, “Yes! But you'll have to find someone to mentor us, someone who has a highly reputable program and willing to give us a good start.” Then, it all came together! In just a matter of days, Deanne discovered the Goldendoodle Association of North America, and we couldn't contain our excitement! These mentors were perfect for us, renowned for their commitment to excellence in breeding. GANA was eager to educate new breeders like us on how to do it right, ensuring the utmost care for each individual dog, the breed, the families, and the breeders themselves. It felt like GANA had been custom-crafted for our journey! We were thrilled to learn exactly where we could find puppies that would become not only cherished family pets but also exceptional breeding dogs. And the icing on the cake? Each of us was matched with an experienced mentor to guide us on our new venture… Hello, Beechwood Goldendoodles! As you step into the world of Beechwood Goldendoodles, I invite you to join the most heartwarming journey of our lives. Within these webpages, you'll uncover the threads of a story woven with love, faith, and a dream of creating a life-changing legacy. Every moment, every puppy, and every family we've met along the way have filled my heart with joy. Our two families have watched our passion grow, blessed with an incredible partnership that has now taken root in the beautiful Sunset Cove Goldendoodles. Through the joys and the bumps along the way, we’ve been stretched and have grown in many ways, and our excitement in becoming two separate businesses in 2024 has only amplified our shared mission to bring happiness into the homes of families everywhere. It's in the simplest of moments—a wagging tail, a snuggle, or a playful romp—that life's greatest joys reside. As you explore our site and discover your own little bundle of joy, I want you to know that you're not just getting a puppy—you're receiving a piece of our heart, our family's values, our story, and our unwavering commitment to spreading love through these fur babies. Welcome to the Beechwood Goldendoodles family, where the joy of these incredible dogs will forever change your life, one doodle at a time. Blessings, Beth and Joe
A big, enthusiastic hello from one of our daughters and Lucy, our first Goldendoodle! We’re thrilled to help you find your own cuddle bug!!
Our Breeding Program
Let's "Paws" for a Word about Our Program
We're thrilled to share a bit about our breeding program, because we’re the first to welcome your adorable pup into the world, and we’re dedicated to giving him or her the healthiest start possible! We are honored that you're considering entrusting us with those critical beginning days and weeks of your puppy's life. And we take it very seriously. We know the excitement of bringing a puppy home is contagious, but take your time to make a wise choice in who you choose for your puppy's formative days—this little buddy will be your companion for over a decade! Knowing what to look for in a responsible breeder is super important!
Dog Care, Client Care
At Beechwood, we believe that our dogs’ wellbeing is of the utmost importance. Our commitment to prioritizing the health and happiness of every puppy supersedes all else.
Each of our dogs is raised in a nurturing home environment, where they receive the love and attention they deserve before joining your family. No kennels here! We follow the Puppy Culture Program and early neurological stimulation to enhance their development. Long before this, we have assessed each parent dog’s behavior, personality, and temperament, allowing us to make informed breeding decisions that not only meet standards but also enhance the overall quality of our puppies.
Our mission is to create perfect matches between our dogs and their new families, resulting in lifelong companionship marked by joy and mutual fulfillment. You play an integral part in which puppy you're matched to, from all of our conversations, emails, texts, questionnaire, and even your thoughts after visiting the puppies at the puppy party.
With Beechwood Goldendoodles, you can trust that your pup and you come first—always.
Our Breeding Practices
What's next to care? Knowledge. As dedicated breeders, we continuously update our knowledge on the latest breeding practices, in-utero development, and puppy growth. Our breeding practices are rooted in the latest medical research and health testing standards. Our annual attendance at the GANA Conferences with speakers that are at the top in the field, filling us with the latest knowledge in the industry.
Back home, we meticulously maintain detailed genealogical records to ensure the integrity and health of our breeding program. Our pups are raised with Puppy Culture, an enrichment program that is the gold standard for responsible breeders. This includes early neurological stimulation which improves cardiovascular performance, heart beat, adrenal glands, tolerance to stress, and greater resistance to disease. Learn more here!
We've learned from Avidog, a premier institution for dog breeder education that integrates cutting-edge science with practical experience.
No Kennels - Just Love and Family
We believe that every dog deserves a loving home, which is why we implement the Guardian Program. Our only Goldendoodles at home are our two beloved pets, Lucy and Max.
So where exactly are all our other Goldendoodles? We are committed to ensuring that our breeding dogs are only in our program a short time, with each and every one living in a loving home, just like Lucy and Max. Each is someone's pet, never living a life in a kennel or sold or given away after "retiring" from breeding. Each dog remains a cherished lifelong companion.
To achieve this, we interview and carefully select reputable guardians who are privileged to own a pick-of-the-litter Goldendoodle at no cost in exchange for breeding rights.
If you are interested in learning more about our Guardian program, please click below.
