Q&A with Emily
Why did you pursue preservation breeding - How did you progress to where you are now?
As a life long dog lover I worked with dogs in some capacity since I was 16. As a grooming and veterinary technician. I observed countless Dachshunds from poor breeding practices that were suffering from hereditary health and genetic temperament issues, causing unnecessary suffering. I decided to do more than only say it was a shame.
I dedicated myself to improving the breed by firstly educating myself on the breeds history, breeding fundamentals, pedigree research, understanding form, function, health, temperament, adherence to AKC standards and advanced canine breeding genetics by completing multiple courses available through AKC Canine College - which gave me enough foundation to engage in conversation with breeders far beyond my experience.
I then began attending AKC conformation events, specifically Dachshund Speciality shows as a spectator. Just myself and a notebook. I would stay to watch all three coat varieties to observe their movement, breed type and wrote down what I liked about them and why, followed by where the judge placed them and who their breeder was. This helped me begin to refine my eye for a good dog. At one of the Specialities, I introduced myself to many accomplished breeders that I’d admired. One of which subsequently became my mentor, and later breeding partner which led me to where I am today.
What sets Cemcade Dachshunds apart?
Because I only breed a litter with the intention of retaining a puppy for myself, I am never breeding simply to produce puppies to sell. Every litter represents a long-term investment in my breeding program, and every puppy is evaluated with the same care and scrutiny as the one I hope to keep for myself.
The time, planning, socialization, development, evaluation, and expertise invested into these puppies are not determined by which puppy stays and which puppy leaves.
Every puppy receives the highest standard of care because every puppy has the potential to become the one I keep.
That means the puppy you bring home has been bred, raised, and evaluated with the same standards I require for the future of my own program - not simply for a sale, but with an understanding of the long-term health, quality, structure, temperament, and soundness that will shape this breed for generations to come.
With me, You aren’t simply purchasing a puppy. You’re receiving a puppy raised to the same standard I demand for myself.
Veterinary Care?
Each pregnancy is followed from delivery through puppy health exams and heavily supported by the reproductive services provided by the wonderful veterinarian’s and staff at Skipworth Veterinary Clinic. I’m grateful for our continued partnership through the years. I could not do what I do without them and their shared commitment to my dogs.
No expense is spared in the care required to raise dogs that produce the highest quality puppies possible. If you can’t do something right, it shouldn’t be done at all - especially with living beings.
Where do your breeding dogs and puppies live?
Our breeding dogs and puppies live in our home as part of the family, we actually built an entire addition onto our home just for the dogs to have their own paw-lace bedroom. 🥰
From birth our puppies are raised right in my bedroom with me until 3 weeks - they then transition to our living room where they begin potty tray training, are exposed to normal household sights, sounds, and interactions which encourage confidence and proper socialization.
We love and give each puppy personalized attention from day one. They’re raised underfoot in our home to encourage stable temperaments and early socialization. The result is healthy, well-adjusted puppy that reflects the care and expertise we’ve invested in every stage of their development.
I perform the following to give each puppy the best possible start.
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)
Early Scent Introduction (ESI)
Complete a modified puppy culture program.
Nutrition is a priority: We feed premium, age-appropriate diets such as Royal Canin and Eukanuba Performance foods and adjust feeding plans as puppies grow. I monitor and support developmental milestones, neonatal reflexes, socialization stages, basic motor skills, and early bite inhibition so puppies leave with solid foundations for training and family life.
Ongoing support: I’m always available to answer questions about ongoing care after placement, you have my support for the lifetime of your dog.
What are the different breed sizes in your program?
Our program focuses primarily on miniature Dachshunds that meet the AKC miniature standard (11 lbs at maturity).
Occasionally we produce small standard-size dogs, which typically mature under 15 lbs, depending on parent size and genetics.
Final adult size can vary based on pedigree, and individual genetics; we provide approximate expected size ranges for each puppy’s parents to help you plan.
What are the different coat types in your program?
We breed primarily smooth (short-haired) and occasionally a longhaired litter.
Do I get to Pick My Puppy?
Our priority is to match each puppy to the right home based on temperament, conformation, and long-term compatibility; color and gender are noted as a preference but are both secondary to health and long term suitability for your specific family. It is important to rely on your breeders expertise to evaluate and make the best selection for you and their puppies long term success in their new families for the next 15+ years
What colors and patterns do you offer?
Colors and patterns may include: red, black and tan, chocolate and tan - some of which may have the brindle, piebald or dapple pattern.
I breed to AKC standards and do not combine patterns (one example being dapple and piebald) as doing so could compromise health and is grounds for disqualification from exhibiting in AKC conformation.
Combining flashy colors or patterns that are disqualified from the show ring is done for marketability and to increase profit for personal financial gain - NOT to preserve and advance the breed. It is inconsistent with the mission of a true preservation breeder and represents an unethical breeding practice of exploiting dogs for personal gain.
This is not a transactional relationship for me, I hope to establish and maintain friendships with each of my puppy families and be brought along through updates on their growth and development throughout their entire lifetime.
Breeding for me is not just a passion or a hobby; it’s a responsibility to my breed and to the families who welcome these dogs into their homes. Each and every puppy represents that commitment.
— Emily