Why Did I build This Site?
As a highly sought-after dog breeder I am asked a lot of excellent questions very frequently. Several of these questions pop up over and over again and many people comment that they feel frustrated while attempting to find a good dog breeder because they just don't know the things breeders know. After extensive searching I find that there just aren't sites available to answer these important questions. And so "Ask a Breeder" was built.
I hope that you find this site interesting and helpful. If you'd like someone to interview breeders for you (of any breed or hybrid) and give you detailed reports, explanations and recommendations so you can find that perfect puppy or dog email me. For a fee I do offer expert help in locating honest, wonderful breeders producing healthy dogs of sound temperament.
About Me
Platt's Black Button Fern
I am a mother of four and wife of one; living on a modest but beautiful bit of earth in New Jersey. I raise litters of American Cockapoo puppies each year because I am devoted to the continuation and improvement of the breed. I would like to see the American Cockapoo a recognized purebred dog among the reputable breed clubs in the world.
I receive immense joy from providing loving people with beautiful, healthy dogs that will live long, full lives and enrich the lives of their owners. I love Cockapoos for their puppy-like temperament, their joyfulness and their carefree, happy spirits.
I raise my pups focusing on working dogs; destined to be service dogs, therapy dogs or assistance dogs. Every pup I produce, whether working or not is perfect as a family companion and I strive to make that so. The Cockapoo is a versatile, intelligent and loyal family companion.
My Background
My dogs & me; in front of our doghouse
When I was a child I had a special love for animals, in particular horses and dogs. I was convinced that I would grow up to be a veterinarian. At age thirteen I began volunteering weekly at a local human society. Soon I was working with a rehabilitation trainer and even hosting my own small classes. When I turned 15 I also began volunteering at a local animal hospital that treated all animals, large and small, exotic, companions and injured wild life. There I learned how to give vaccines, assist in surgeries, research diseases and disorders and many, many more useful functions of a veterinary nurse. At age 16 I was given a paid position and I worked as a veterinary nurse until I joined the military at age 19.
I never did become a veterinarian. Life has a funny way of rerouting our paths when we least expect it. I ended up a service member and a wife and mother (in that order) and soon I found that I enjoyed mothering my children more than working full time out of the home. After the military I went to nursing school and discovered the joy of hospice nursing. While in hospice one day I met a Cockapoo who was working as a therapy dog and I was smitten. I wanted to train my own therapy dog so that I could still participate in hospice in some manner even while I was no longer employed and raising my children.
I was very sad to find that there were no local reputable breeders in existence for this wonderful dog breed, despite the fact that this breed has been around since the 1950's. I wanted a well-bred dog with the right temperament for work so I had to start from scratch.
I knew then that I would be filling this need, and Eden Orchards was born. So here I am, seven years later, enjoying raising these beautiful dogs and educating people about this amazing breed and their fantastic qualities that make them so perfect for many service or therapy jobs and especially as loyal family pets.
