Hawk Hill Australian Shepherds

04/03/2026

Owner needs to rehome this sweet boy. House broken. Please reach out

12/19/2025

2nd blue Merle male.

12/19/2025

Blue Merle male

10/14/2025

Borrowed:

No breeder escapes this moment: the phone buzzes a few days after a puppy leaves, with a message you could almost recite by heart:

“We love him, but…”

Ah, the infamous but.

But he barks. But he nips. But he cries at night. But he’s “too energetic.”

In short, he’s alive. And for some, that’s already too much.

A puppy isn’t a living stuffed animal or a personal antidepressant. It’s a baby mammal, uprooted from its maternal world, thrown into the unknown. It will bark, cry, explore, and stress—and that’s normal.

Modern humans, however, don’t like disturbance. They want everything fast: their coffee, their phone, even their puppy’s “adaptation.” They forget a puppy’s brain is still learning emotional regulation through experience, not downloads or miracle TikTok tricks.

So overwhelmed families write: “He’s adorable, but he’s not for us.” Translation: We wanted a dog without the challenges of a puppy.

Even the best-raised puppies are still learning. They arrive ready to learn to love, not pre-programmed to love. And learning requires time, consistency, and emotional steadiness—qualities many humans no longer possess.

Some confuse the perfect puppy with the compliant puppy—obedient to their schedule, whims, or noise tolerance. When that fails, blame follows: the breeder, the breed, the dog’s “character.” And suddenly normal puppy behavior becomes a “problem.”

Breeders absorb it all, taking back puppies “returned due to lifestyle incompatibility,” re-socializing them, and repairing broken bonds. They brush trembling little muzzles and remind themselves: humans think they can adopt without adapting.

Living with a puppy is chaos before harmony. It’s the noise, the smells, the nips, the accidents, the doubts. It’s biology, not magic.

A puppy isn’t a test, a trial, or a gift. It’s a living commitment. What it becomes depends on you: balanced if you are, anxious if you are.

And if you’re not ready to give up your slippers and certainties for a few months? Adopt a plant instead. It rarely chews your shoes, and it doesn’t cry at night.

— Eva VanLoo

10/04/2025

Friends we have decided to breed Pepper and Gus one last time. Please contact me to be on our list. We already have 3 people on our list. Puppies will be 8 weeks in February so you can plan ahead. Feel free to text me 817-727-9978

09/10/2025

Bailey came home for a visit. It was so nice to see her. We still love her. She definitely loves her new family.

08/25/2025

Two of our pups living a great life in the mountains

07/11/2025

Look at Millie Mae. She looks like her mom Sadie

07/02/2025

Pnuema and Bailey. Living their best lives.

06/11/2025

Schorr is from Bailey and Augustus

🐾💬 Ethical Breeder Dogs vs. Rescue Dogs 💬🐾

We all love dogs—rescues, mutts, purebreds, seniors, puppies—all of them. But let’s talk honestly for a second about why some people choose to get a purebred dog instead of adopting from a rescue. It’s not always about vanity or status. Sometimes, it’s about fit.

✅ Predictability matters. With dogs from a breeder, people often know what to expect when it comes to size, temperament, energy level, and even health concerns. This can be hugely important for families with young kids, allergies, specific housing restrictions, or therapy/working dog goals.

🏡 Not everyone can take on the unknown. Rescues are wonderful, but sometimes come with trauma, behavior issues, or health problems that require time, experience, and resources. Not everyone is equipped for that—and that’s okay. It’s better to be honest about what you can handle than to adopt and then rehome.

🧬 Specific needs require specific traits. Hunters, herders, service dog trainers, or folks with physical limitations often need a dog with very specific instincts and trainability. That’s not “shallow”—it’s thoughtful.

This isn’t an either/or issue—it’s a both/and. You can support ethical breeding and rescue. You can love mutts and still choose a purebred for your lifestyle. Let’s drop the judgment and support dog owners who are making thoughtful, responsible choices either way. 🐶❤️

04/27/2025

Puppy update picture
Knox. 31 lb. We have large Standard Aussies. Mercedes/Augustus.