Meet the breeder
Just a little bit about me!
❤️I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ❤️
❤️I am passionate about everything I do❤️
❤️I don’t put up with any nonsense❤️
My name is Jennifer Lynn, I'm originally from Nashville, TN. Though these days you'll find me situated on a charming little 7 acre hobby farm just outside Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
I have a large family, am active in church and I have lot of kids. Which means I stay busy and don't sit down often. Please be patient if I’m hard to get ahold of. Triple texting me is OK or bugging me until you get an answer is OK. I’m easy going and I try my very best to love pretty much everyone.
Growing up in a suburban environment, living on a little farm like this one was always my childhood dream. So as you can imagine as an adult I have lots of animals in my life. To include a horse, sheep, chickens, cats, bunnies and of course, the Dalmatians! At times I much prefer animals to other people. If I am with people you will often find me in a soup kitchen, homeless village or homeless shelter. The people there are among my very favorite people on this earth. When I began volunteering with day shelter last year for the homeless, they ignited a passion deep in my soul. If you haven’t gotten involved serving with your local homeless community, you should. You are missing out! They will bless your life in more ways than you will ever bless theirs.
Living in the turbulent world of today, it makes me all the more grateful for the genuine innocence and purity about animals. Aside from my children the Dalmatians are an amazing blessing to have. Each day is brightened by their ever faithful companionship. Even though me and my life are both far from perfect God is still so so good! Any good thing I accomplish will only be for the glory of God.
Where I began.....
In all truth and honesty I began 10 years ago as nearly every breeder begins. It was a very classic “Hobby Breeder” or “Back Yard Breeder” situation. A more accurate term though would be “novice breeder” I had no clue what I was getting into, that’s for sure!
However, out of that initial ignorance, a deep passion was born for the breed. I hope to see more people embrace “novice breeders” instead of pushing them out. Invite them in and teach them how to do things well. It will do so much more for our animal population than trying to shun them ever will.
Before Liberty Belle, I had never considered breeding. I bought my "Libby" from a small in home breeder. She raised the puppies indoors, with her children, as part of her family. From birth the puppies were constantly surrounded by love and the results were amazing! When we brought Libby home she just came home and fit right into our life. I knew what that breeder was doing was special. Not everyone has a house full of children to love on, socialize and desensitize puppies. It's a full time job snuggling those puppies! The kids really have set this small breeding program apart.
I knew that I wanted to share that happiness and love we felt with the world. With the support of Libby's breeder, a new passion was born.
Where I want to go.....
My mission quickly became to be “the best”
I could be. Personal growth is an ever growing and ever changing practice....
I made it top priority to produce family pets with superior temperament and excellent health. That's why I back up my puppies health with a written genetic health guarantee. These puppies are all going to be smart, loving and loyal. Two years ago I decided to take that a step further by apttitude testing each puppy. By performing a Volhard PAT test, I am able to better discover their individual strengths and weaknesses. Ensuring you will receive not only a beautiful puppy but most importantly, a puppy that will fit into your personal lifestyle.
Why I decided to breed the long coats
The long coat Dalmatian breeding was not part of my original plan. As a breeder I knew they existed but I also knew they were VERY rare. I only knew of less than 10 in existence. They were all rescues and not being bred. I stumbled upon my girls Banner and Starlette by an unexpected blessing. Originally I only planned to spay them and keep them as pets. The joy was extremely short lived and quickly traded for public persecution. I posted their pictures online I came under fierce criticism from the Dalmatian community. In the worst of it a conversation was shared with me about a group of people were discussing how the dogs should be euthanized. Through all the nasty emails and drama surrounding a simple a picture on Facebook, the heart breaking truth began to emerge. The long coats had been showing up in Dalmatian litters for decades, they were thought of as a disgrace to the breed. So if one showed up in a litter and the breeder wanted to remain reputable, they chose to kill them or hide them. Breeders had been euthanizing or dumping them in rescues for years. The reason? Only that the fluffy fur did not fit the AKC Dalmatian breed standard.
That's why I bought this domain and built this web page. To raise awareness and educate the public. Hopefully, in time, the long coats will gain enough support to change the standard.
The persecution struck a special nerve with me because of my personal story. I was born different too. With a "birth defect". Mine unfortunately is not as pretty as theirs. However, one hand and arm of mine is "irregular" I identified deeply with the long coat dogs because I also was not "standard". In fact at birth the doctors even attempted to condemn me to death. They suggested that my mother dump me in an orphanage because they assumed since I didn't look normal there must be something seriously wrong health wise too. The doctors implied to my mother that
I would not live past the age 5 or ever have children. Well, they were wrong. Just like the Dalmatian community has been wrong about the long coats.
My mother did not listen to what people said, she did not care what they would think. She did not dump me off. Thank you mom, for taking a chance on me. Thank you for raising me with compassion and courage so that I could step outside the standard and take chances. Without that example I may never have taken the opportunity to be an advocate and voice for these dogs that have no voice.
I believe God gave me this gift to encourage me to share my story with the world and to tell other people that it's ok to not be standard. That we should never strive to be a standard when we stand to be extraordinary.
A huge thank you to Kathy Wil for allowing these dogs out into the world and for allowing me to have AKC Breeding rights. It is because of this I was able to produce the very first litter of all long coat Dalmatians known to exist in the entire world in 2016.
Those women were the first two breeders to sell a long coat Dalmatian puppy publicly. They absorbed a lot of harassment and deserve acknowledgement.
The shelters are unfortunately still full of dogs, I can't control the irresponsibility of other people. It's not full of "my dogs" though. I make certain of that. I will 100% take any puppy back, at any time. No questions asked. In fact, that's actually covered in my Contract. I have plenty of room here and will have no problem finding them a new home.
Adoption is simply not the best option for everyone, at every stage of their life. A dog is a major life commitment. It is OK to want to know exactly what you're getting into, especially with small children at home. I know I wanted a puppy that was intentionally bred and born surrounded by love. I wanted to know that the puppy would have an even temperament. I also wanted a young puppy that could grow up with my children. An added bonus was the health guarantee! The fact is, there aren't enough breeders producing that type of Dalmatian puppy.
It has been a learning experience, a humbling experience and a continuous growth experience. There have been ups and downs but I cant imagine my life without my puppy families. I have made many cherished, life long friends through breeding. When someone buys a puppy from me, they aren't just a "customer" they become part of my great big family!
I have been involved with breeding Dalmatians for the past several years. The long coat program is a new venture. I should note it is controversial because it is not currently accepted as a coat standard by AKC. I have anguished over this fact since the opportunity first arose. At the end of it all, my #1 priority has always been producing amazing family pets. I have seen our puppies brighten lives, heal broken hearts and bring so much joy to the world. The long coat Dalmatians are no different. They are just fuzzy teddy bears with the same fabulous Dalmatian attitude I have always loved! They sparked a special light inside of me. I saw their true beauty and I hope that the rest of the world will as well.
After your application is approved you will be given the address and added to our family Facebook page!