Philosophy · Raising · Placement
Breeding Program
Health, correct conformation, mental stability and exceptional working ability — the foundation of every litter.
Program priorities
Four pillars
I
Health
Breeding dogs are DNA-verified as Hollandse Herdershond and screened with Embark panels plus hip and elbow evaluations (OFA, PennHIP, BVA, SV, FCI) — young dogs are evaluated at 24 months.
II
Correct conformation
Structure that lets a working dog do its job soundly for a lifetime — the foundation for every pairing.
III
Mental stability
Clear heads, real off switches and dogs that live calmly in the home — around children, puppies and family life.
IV
Exceptional working ability
Proven drive and nerve on the field: personal protection, obedience, bite sport and demonstration work.
Temperament & working traits
The switch matters
Thistleborne dogs are selected for real drive — prey, toy and, where appropriate, defensive drive — paired with the clarity to turn it off. Keeper lives free in the house, quiet and non-destructive; Vapor is calm at home and exceptionally good with children and puppies.
The goal is versatility: puppies who can grow into personal-protection, sport, service-prospect or active family homes, with the nerve to handle the world around them.
Puppy raising
Ten weeks of foundations
- 01Avidog Transformational Puppy Rearing approach
- 02Puppies stay until 10 weeks old for extra time to build confidence and resilience
- 03Volhard puppy aptitude evaluations before any match is made
- 04Sound desensitization, car rides, surface and tactile work, scent introduction
- 05Socialized with children, new places, other dogs and other animals
- 06Started potty and crate training, basic manners
- 07Each puppy goes home with a packet of medical, aptitude and temperament information
Health
Testing on program dogs
Samantha’s GoodDog profile is rated at the “Great” health-testing level. The tests below are listed for the program; individual results per dog appear on each profile.
Per-dog health details- Hip dysplasia screening
- Elbow dysplasia finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
- Temperament test
- Dentition
- Canine Good Citizen
- Full Embark panel & DNA profile
- Animal Genetics panel & DNA disease panel
Placement expectations
Right Match
How matching works
“We match puppies after Volhard puppy evaluations are completed so we can make the best educated match.” Samantha partners with each family as the puppies develop and personalities take shape — through messaging, phone or video.
Deposit & price
A $1,000 non-refundable deposit secures a spot on the general waitlist. The remaining $2,500 – $4,000 is the final payment before pickup, before taxes and fees. Payments made through GoodDog are covered by GoodDog’s Payment Protection.
Every puppy includes
- Health guarantee
- Two rounds of vaccines and deworming
- Vet check and microchip
- Volhard puppy evaluation
- Exceptional socialization and desensitization
- Started potty and crate training
- Care package with toys, food and treats
Auburn, GA
Meet Samantha in Auburn, Barrow County.
Hartsfield–Jackson ATL
Fly in and meet at the Atlanta airport.
Atlanta & transport
Atlanta meet-ups and puppy drop-off options are offered.
SourcePricing, inclusions and pick-up options as published on Samantha’s GoodDog profile. Confirm current terms with Samantha before placing a deposit.
Verified GoodDog owners
Puppy families
“Samantha is the best breeder I’ve met. I spent 3 years vetting breeders… Vapor and Keeper are truly incredible examples of the breed. My girl Runa is everything I wanted and more. Everything in her program is a green flag.”
“Not only were the puppies absolutely gorgeous, but her attention to detail and her willingness to help answer my questions was outstanding. My beautiful dog Echo is amazing.”
“Transparent, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate. Our puppy came home healthy, happy, and already well-adjusted.”
“I literally can’t imagine how someone could do a better job raising Dutchie puppies.”
“Our puppy came home freshly bathed with nails trimmed, a care package, and a packet with medical, aptitude and temperament information.”