Hawthorne Terriers
- Iowa Falls, IA
- Responds within a day
Meet the breeder
I'm Sara S., the breeder behind Hawthorne Terriers located in Iowa Falls, IA. We acquired our first female, Seegmiller's Pippin, in 2016. We fell in love with the Seegmiller breeding program from the moment we made contact. We selected a female from our first litter, Carmen, for our daughter. Carmen has been an exceptional all-around dog for our family and breeding program. Carmen will be retired this year and we are looking forward to introducing puppies from our new female, Seegmiller's Lady Loki, and Carmen's son, Hawthorne's Honey Bear.
Q. & A. with Sara
Why did you start breeding?
We acquired our first female, Seegmiller's Pippin, in 2016. We purchased her for our son for rabbit hunting. We have owned and bred a variety of other working dogs, but this was our first Rat Terrier. We bred Pip and kept back our female Carmen from this litter. Carmen has been an exceptional all-around dog for our family and breeding program.What makes your program special?
We raise our puppies in our home as part of our family. They are exposed to other dogs and animals, kids, and lots of play. We start litter training at 4 weeks and crate training at 6 weeks. We learn their temperaments and are very selective about where we place pups. We require a questionnaire and family interview to reserve a puppy. All puppies have the option for limited AKC registration.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies are black white and tan. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Smudge
Went homeMale
Patches
Went homeFemale
Tootsie
Went homeFemale
Sadie
Went homeFemale
Nyx
Went homeMale
Sirius
Went homeMale
Onyx
Went homeMale
Bear
Went homeMale
Jack
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Sara
Sara has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.
Sara partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 7 weeks old.
“We take great care in matching puppies with their families. We learn puppy temperaments and are very selective about their placement based on family questionnaires and interviews. We consider each puppy part of our family and take pride in making sure the match between puppy and new owner is a forever one. We are usually able to match a puppy with its family around 7 weeks.”
Price
“Includes vaccine and deworming records, nail trim, bath, option for limited AKC registration. We require a questionnaire and family interview to reserve a puppy. Our deposit is non-refundable unless there are extenuating circumstances. We will match you with a puppy based on your questionnaire, not a specific color or sex.”
Contract & health guarantee
Sara may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Sara offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Sara directly.
You’re protected
on Good Dog
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What's included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
Extras
- Toys
- Basic obedience & manners
- AKC registration
- Food & treats
- Initial potty training
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Sara.
Breeder's location
Meet in Iowa Falls, IA
856 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at Des Moines Airport
869 miles away
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Meet in Des Moines, IA
867 miles away
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More about Sara
Sara has been a member of Good Dog for 10 months
Sara was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
Sara’s links
Sara is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Hawthorne Terriers meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Litter and program updates
Sara S.
Litter update on 24 May •…The puppies started exploring outside this week. After a few sessions of exploring we started to see some personalities come out. Sadie and Patches are really happy to be where people are, tails a wagging. Smudge watches everything from a distance until he’s sure. Tootsie samples everything and especially loves fighting with branches.
Stick and Carmen's litter
Sara S.
Program update on 17 May •I want to thank each of you who have expressed interest in Carmen’s current litter. A very special thank you to those of you who are going home with a puppy next month! All pups have been sold and we look forward to another litter from Loki x Bear next spring.
Sara S.
Litter update on 17 May •Puppies’ first meal! They promptly passed out with full bellies.
Stick and Carmen's litter
Sara S.
Litter update on 14 May •Patches says good morning and announces that there is only one puppy left for sale! If you’re looking for a phenomenal family dog this is your chance!
Stick and Carmen's litter
Sara S.
Litter update on 01 May •Pups are growing like weeds! Sadie is starting to open her eyes.
Stick and Carmen's litter
Sara S.
Litter update on 23 Apr •The pups are looking nice and plump!
Stick and Carmen's litter
Sara S.
Litter update on 21 Apr •We have puppies!
Stick and Carmen's litter
Sara S.
Litter update on 22 Mar •We have an ultrasound confirmed pregnancy for Carmen! Puppies will be arriving around April 18th.
Stick and Carmen's litter
Parent dogs
Carmen, mom
Rat Terrier
About Carmen
Carmen has been an exceptional all-around dog for our family. She is forward, athletic, equally at home on the farm, in the show ring, traveling, or in the house (yes, the bed is hers!). Carmen is clear for PRA-PRCD, DM, PLL and many other genetic disorders via EMBARK testing 220 different genetic inheritable disorders!
Parent health testing
Good level
Hawthorne Terriers reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Rat Terriers.
Vet Wellness Exam
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
Full Embark Panel
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Sara to bring home their puppies.
- DL
David L.
Verified owner · June 2026
Sara was awesome to work with. Sharing information and photos as the litter grew. Our little Mr. Smudge came a happy healthy pup. He has adjusted very well to our family and our older pup. If your considering a Rat Terrier and grt the chance to get a Hawthorne pup we would HIGHLY recommend them!
Nicole B.
Verified owner · Oct. 2025
+4Sara was amazing to work with - responsive, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about her program. She set us up to succeed with our new family member - already well socialized and on a potty routine! My vet even commented on how well-bred Fred is - would recommend Sara to anyone looking for a rat terrier!
Steven J.
Verified owner · Oct. 2025
Sirius has been a pretty good puppy. Although we don't expect him to tell us when he needs out he's not had accidents in the house. The challenge is to get him to be friends with our other dog. They play a little with a fence between them but they need more time before they can be trusted together.
