My Passion for Dogs 

Hi! My name is Dot Douglas. I breed show and sport quality pure bred Havanese puppies.  I’m originally from Vancouver Island, living in the Cowichan Valley most of my life. Before I got married I worked at a dog kennel helping with clean-up, conditioning show dogs, and grooming. That is when the dog bug bit me. In 1976, I joined the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and the local dog club, the Tyee Kennel Club. I bought my first dog, a toy poodle. 

Soon after, I started showing my dogs and helping friends with their dogs.

After having 5 children, one with special needs, I realized I couldn’t give everyone the attention they needed and I gave up the dogs. I never lost the love of dogs, keeping up all my memberships and helping the Tyee Club wherever possible. For 20 years I catered the judge’s lunch for their dog show even though I didn’t own a dog. I still longed to get back in the dog game again, but I knew the time wasn’t right. I did manage to get my daughter into Junior handling where she showed other people’s dogs. She still shows dogs, her own and other people’s dogs.

In 2008, after getting divorced, I decided to move off the Island with my son and a couple of cows and settled into the 100 Mile House area. It quickly became home. After a couple of years I let the cows go, something now was still missing – “a dog”. I started seriously thinking about what breed would best suit us. I knew it would have to be a “toy” breed since I didn’t have room for a larger dog. It would have to be hypoallergenic since my son has allergies. I don’t mind the grooming, but a poodle was out of the question.

After a lot of research, I kept going back to the Havanese breed. They have a long silky coat but yet don’t shed. They are hypoallergenic, and look elegant in the ring, yet still have a mischievous way about them (much like children). And the big bonus, they come in any colour combinations without it being a disqualification at the dog shows. 

~ Dot Douglas, Estacaliente Havanese