Saturday, October 1, 2022 | Country Acres South • Page 1 PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #278 Madelia, MN 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave Sauk Centre MN 56378
SOUTH Saturday, day, October 1, 2022
Focusing on Today’s Rural R Environment
Volume 1, Edition 9
Sharing a love for
German Shepherds
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Mika, a female German Shepherd owned by Jessica Stutzman of Middaylich Hotzaw German Shepherds near Lansboro, bites the sleeve of a person acting as a decoy. Stutzman uses some aspects of shutzhund training on her dogs, including protection work and obedience.
Lanesboro breeding business grows from one special dog BY JAN LEFEBVRE | STAFF WRITER
LANESBORO – Jessica Stutzman has turned her love for German Shepherds into an athome breeding business called Mid-daylich Mid daylich Hotzaw German Shepherds, located near Lanesboro. While Stutzman said the first
two litters were learning experiences, she quickly worked to gain more knowledge about how to raise German Shepherds with the best health and temperaments. “I dug more into bloodlines bloodline made and health testing, which mad me decide on switching gear gears German to import working-line Germ Germa Shepherds.” She reached out online an aand Vydrová, connected with, Àja Vydrová á, a Repubwoman from the Czech Repu ub German lic who also raises Germ ma Shepherds. Shepherd ds Vy d r o v á is nnow training trainiin s o m e dogs that ttha w i l l later join jo oi
Stutzman’s pack. Stutzman also began partnering with Lora Williams from Vom Lexhaus German Shepherds out of Illinois. Stutzman, Vydrová, and Williams co-own a male German Shepherd that Vydrová is having compete at higher level trials. Stutzman has focused on the breeding aspect of her business, making sure her puppies can be guaranteed to have the best qualities of the working line breed of German Shepherds. “My program is specifically geared towards breeding. I am a firm believer in knowing what dogs you have inside and out,” Stutzman said. “I currently do not offer training or boarding as my breeding stock is my priority and keeps me plenty busy.” Her efforts have earned her respect. Just two and a half years after deciding to focus on breeding, the AKC has accepted her into its Bred with H.E.A.R.T. Program, meaning she has met all AKC expectations for her breeding program as to health, education, accountability, responsibility, and tradition. Stutzman has also been recognized by Good Dog for being a good breeder in its Responsible Breeder Program. Both programs stress that puppies and their dog parents must be
healthy, happy and trained well and that their owners are continually seeking more education in all aspects of dog breeding. Stutzman has made sure that her puppies are raised in her home and on her land, in a spacious, clean and enriching environment to enhance their natural abilities and confidence. By breeding with strong bloodline combinations, she strives to produce puppies with excellent health, solid temperament, strong nerves, and balanced drives. “Our puppies will be expected to be successful in a range of venues including, but not limited to, agility and obedience competition, dual purpose police K-9, family companionship, narcotics and explosives detection or search and rescue.” Since the focus of her business is very specific, Stutzman has not needed to hire employees. Her business is truly a family enterprise. “Because my program is small, I’m able to give each dog and puppy all of the attention and care that they need to develop and thrive,” Stutzman said. “My dogs are part of my family, and I give that same love to each puppy as I prepare them to join their forever homes.” The humans in Stutzman’s family pitch in when needed. Jessica Stutzman poses with her husband, “I do not have employees, but Harvey, and their dog, Jhett, on their I do have the cutest helpers…our property near Lanesboro. Stutzman has grown two children,” she said.
her German Shepherd breeding business into a well-respected program that is recognized by the American Kennel Association.
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Publications bli ti The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
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COUNTRY: Watch for the next edition of Country Acres on October 15, 2022
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