Established 1994

About Dunshay

by Frances White

The best start in life...

Our dogs live with us as much loved pets. When they become pregnant, and give birth, we care for the mum and her puppies at every stage, ensuring the puppies get the best start in life.

I grew up in a home full of animals, dogs, cats, horses, goats and chickens. My parents bred springer spaniels, so litters of puppies were part of my childhood.

I started breeding labradors 30-years ago and working cocker spaniels 26 years ago. From the start, it was important to me to breed puppies that would grow up to be nice happy dogs.

I like the working breeds. One of the main reasons for this is they have been bred for many years to be easy to train (biddability as it’s known in the working dog world) and the working lines tend to have less health problems.

My bitches are not worked but I always choose a working dog to be the father, because a dog that is worked is a dog that has been trained to a high standard. The father also needs to be a nice, brave and friendly dog.

All my bitches have been fully health checked and I choose fathers with the full health checks to ensure the pups will be as healthy as possible.  

It has all ways been my aim to breed pups that will grow into healthy happy dogs that will be a joy to live with. Consequently, I put a lot of time into each litter to ensure they are.  

When you purchase a puppy from Dunshay, you receive a Puppy wallet containing important information about your new pet.

5-Star rating for Animal Welfare awarded by Dorset Council.

 Puppy handling

I use a system of puppy handling which are training exercises designed to help puppies relax and cooperate when being touched and handled. All puppies will need to be handled at some point for general husbandry, medical care and grooming. Handling exercises help to ensure that puppies will be comfortable when receiving this necessary care.

From day one, I handle the pups at least 2 times a day for weighing and handling.

I look in their ears, touch their nose, eyes, tails and paws, turn them onto their backs and rub their tummy’s. Each one of these purposeful procedures gets them used to what a vet or groomer would do, and ultimately builds confidence.

As the pups grow, I let them have as many new and interesting experiences as I can; they meet lots of different people as well as other dogs and cats.

As they get older, they are allowed onto the grass and in the paved yard. They also have time in the kitchen with me, away from the litter, where they will have meet the hoover, lawn mower and other load noises.   

Cage/crate training.

At 6 weeks, I put a cage/crate in the pen with the puppies. it becomes their bed and although they don’t get shut in the cage, they do get used to it. This is helpful because even if you don’t intend to have a cage for your pup they will end up in one sooner or later at the vet or groomer; this effective training helps them feel comfortable and relaxed in one.