Why I Turned Away a Family with Cash in Hand
Sometimes the hardest part of breeding isn't raising puppies, it's knowing when to say no to good people who aren't right for your dogs.
Read moreThe Ethical Breeder
25 years of hard-won wisdom from the whelping box to the show ring. No sugar-coating, no shortcuts, just honest guidance for those who want to breed dogs the right way.
Breeding Done Right
I'm Margaret Thornton. I've been breeding White Swiss Shepherds at Snowpeak Shepherds in Vermont since 1999. I've made mistakes, learned from them, and raised over 40 champions. This site is where I share what I wish someone had told me when I started.
Responsible breeding isn't about producing puppies. It's about improving the breed while protecting the dogs we bring into this world. That means saying no more often than yes, and being prepared for the heartbreak that comes with this work.
Recent Articles
The Genetic Mistakes I Made (And How You Can Avoid Them)
My first litter was a disaster. Here's what I learned about COI, carrier testing, and why that "perfect match" on paper can still go wrong.
Read moreBreeding for Temperament: Beyond the Health Tests
Health clearances matter, but a dog with perfect hips and a terrible temperament is still a breeding failure. Here's how I evaluate what really counts.
Read moreWhat Happens When a Puppy Comes Back
Every responsible breeder takes back their dogs. But nobody prepares you for the emotional weight of a return. Here's how I handle it.
Read moreAbout Snowpeak Shepherds
My grandmother raised Collies on this same Vermont farm. My mother had German Shepherds. When I came back from Cornell in '99, I fell in love with the White Swiss Shepherd and never looked back. Three generations of shepherd knowledge runs through everything I do.
I serve on the White Swiss Shepherd Club of America's health committee and run workshops on responsible breeding at regional kennel club events. This work matters too much to keep quiet about.