The Good Breeder Spotlight Column: Desiree
Learn about the moment Good Breeder Desiree Haynes' first litter was born, and how a childhood love of Dalmatians led her to start her own program!
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
The Good Breeder Spotlight Column is a place to share the stories that matter most...YOURS!
Each month, we’ll be spotlighting a new member of our Good Breeder community. We created this column to amplify your voices, recognize the incredible work and sacrifices you make for the dogs we love, and provide you with a safe space to share your unique breeding stories.
We’re so excited to introduce you to this month’s Good Breeder columnist, Desiree Haynes of Darrfield.
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
Desiree Haynes, Good Breeder of Dalmatians
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Good Dog: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with dogs.
Desiree Haynes: Since I was young I dreamed of owning Dalmatians, but my father heard they didn’t do well with children. I have two boys and we have proved the rumor to be false with our family oriented business. My program name, Darrfield, was derived from my maiden name Desiree Darr and my hometown of Chesterfield, Virginia.
GD: What made you want to become a dog breeder?
DH: My first Dalmatian was purchased in 2020. She was the first in her pedigree to have documented CHIC through OFA. My entrepreneurship emerged because I wanted to improve the pedigree, which in turn betters the breed. My overall goal is to create a program that clients can trust for quality. We also provide them with PawTree products!
GD: What brought you to Good Dog, and how has being a Good Breeder impacted your breeding program?
DH: Good Dog was fairly new when we joined. It has helped tremendously with networking, education, and organization. We sold six of seven of our first litter through Good Dog! We have grown with them and are very appreciative to partner with them.
GD: Describe your program to us. What makes it special?
DH: Our breeding prospects have proper AKC registration, pedigree, COI, and CHIC. We focus on getting closer to the elements of the breed standard. We have been recognized for excellent health testing, received multiple certificates of completion in Good Breeder Courses, and a Certificate of Participation in the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. Program.
GD: Tell us more about the unique history of your breed, and why it's important to you.
DH: Back in the 1800s, when horses pulled fire engines, Dalmatians began their long association with firefighters. Traditionally, their occupation was to trot beside and guard the horses and rigs when otherwise unattended. They are eager participants and we work to title them in a variety of events.
GD: How did you begin to learn about breeding? What were some of your resources?
DH: I educated myself by networking through social media, taking courses, and attending AKC events.
GD: What was it like when you had your first litter this past November?
DH: We put blood, sweat and tears into our first litter. Our dam delivered one day early and we had to help manually. The vet had predicted eight puppies which we prepared for, but she delivered eleven.
GD: Were there any challenges you had to overcome when you began breeding?
DH: Each and everyday there's something you can learn and change within your program. Whether it’s studs, food, kennels, advertising, or training methods. This is something that takes a lot of physical and mental work with the reward not being profit, but rather bringing joy to clients and breed enthusiasts.
GD: If there was one misconception you could clear up about dog breeders, what would it be?
DH: Choosing profit over animal welfare. Our dogs receive proper care and consumers never receive a sick puppy. We take dogs back if necessary and have their best interest at heart always.
GD: Looking to the future of your breed, what do you hope it looks like in 20 years?
DH: I pray that I can continue to educate, participate, and perform with my dogs and mentor others to do the same. My goal is that through research and determination, we can improve upon lines with healthy, beautiful, performing Dalmatians that meet the standard and better the breed.
