Our puppies and dogs are raised on our acreage where they get to run unleashed while supervised, but live in our home and hearts. All of our breeding dogs are evaluated for structure, temperament, and health before choosing which dog they’ll be bred to. We do this as objectively as possible so we continue to improve our dogs and the breed as a whole. There is a strategy behind each breeding: relatives/pedigrees, health, temperament, structure/confirmation, and many other factors are all considered. We are always happy to share why we decide on particular sires and dams of the litters. Do not hesitate to ask. All of our litters are raised in our house - in the living room to be specific! They’re exposed to new people, sounds and smells as they develop in their first 8 weeks of life. Grooming starts very young as well to ensure a solid foundation for their new parents to continue with when they go to their forever homes. All puppies are evaluated at 7 weeks for temperament and at 8 weeks for structure. This process helps us determine which puppy will stay with us at Ascent for the next generation as well as matching puppies with their forever home. We are different than other breeders in that we are with our puppy owners for the lifetime of the dog. Whether your dog is 6 months, 6 years, or 16 years, it is our job as the breeder of that dog to support, coach, and guide each dogs' family. We frequently have families come back to us for the next addition to their family. (It's hard to have just one PWD ) We believe purchasing a dog is a commitment that should be honored by the new family and the breeder. Every dog deserves to have the best life possible. Background: Rachel's passion started with PWDs in 2007 when she got her first dog from her aunt, who is also a breeder. She was raised around dogs, but the versatility and “partner in crime” attitude that PWDs offered was exactly what she was looking for. Through college and graduate school, her PWDs came with her. She competed (and still does!) in agility, obedience, water work, rally and other sports. Rachel is a chiropractor for people AND dogs, and her thorough and extensive knowledge of dog anatomy has been an asset to her understanding of canine structure and balance. Rachel is now a part time chiropractor for dogs and their people and a part-time dog mom/rancher.