Our Story
Our passion and love for dogs at Paradise Kennel started when Colette was only a three year old child. Her older brother at the time had been in the army training with a black German Shepherd and upon his return home, Colette felt a curiosity with the dog.
While at the family cottage, Colette accidently fell into the swimming pool. The dog instinctively jumped in to rescue her and started barking to attract attention. From that day, Colette developed a strong bond with Peter and they quickly became inseparable. In 1979 when her father wanted to raise a litter, Colette loved everything about it. She was constantly with the pups and that is when the passion began.
At 17 years of age she raised her first litter of German Shepherds. She soon realized that it was not just German Shepherds that were intelligent and great companions, but that there were other small breeds that would make a great addition to any family.
From here, Colette started breeding a few different breeds, eventually narrowed it down to the breeds we carry today. Her favourite small breed and specialty is the Havanese breed which is smart and easy to train, extremely affectionate and great with kids.
Colette and her husband eventually found a perfect place to build her dream in 1992. The property where the kennel sits today is a 125 acre forest and construction of the kennel began soon after.
In 1992, Colette was also pregnant for her daughter, Stephanie. In just a few months, Stephanie was in the kennel in her stroller watching her parents care for the dogs. From here the facility grew into the incredible place that all of the dogs and puppies get to call home!
They make families complete with a passion!
Meet Colette the Founder
Meet Stephanie (her Daughter)
Our Facility
Welcome to Paradise Kennel’s facility: a wonderful kennel on a beautiful land of 125 acres of rolling hills with a beautiful pond and various trails to bring the dogs to explore. This 5-star Kennel has 2000 square feet of brick exterior play area.
Puppy Wonderland
Each dog has access in and out as they please to their play areas via 6 large patio doors which includes little doggie doors. The remarkable 4180 square foot building was designed with comfort and relaxation in mind for the dogs and puppies to reside in. The health and well-being of our fur babies is at the top of our priority list and thus many things have been implemented to make this a success.Our main focus will always be to provide our dogs with a nourishing, comforting and clean environment. The parents of our charming Havanese and Morkie puppies are treated as a part of the family and included in every aspect of what makes Paradise Kennel so incredible. Building this stunning 4180 square foot “puppy wonderland” is what sets us apart here at Paradise Kennel!
Nursery
Our nursery is at the forefront of caring for our newborn puppies. The neonatal requirements for a newborn puppy are abundant and thus a proper nursery is crucial for the early stages of a puppy’s life. Within the nursery, there are multiple private spaces for the moms to give birth peacefully and quietly. We like to call these places a “private puppy condo”. These “condos” are made from medical grade plastic which is a surface that is easy to clean/sanitize, and environmentally friendly. The condos are complete with a glass door so we can frequently check on the birth process without disturbing the mother or the puppies at their most vulnerable moments. In addition, the glass doors provide an opportunity for the puppies to view what is happening outside of their kennel and prevent the feeling of being “caged”. Furthermore, there are exterior windows which allow for a plethora of natural light to shine in and nourish the puppies with important Vitamin D throughout the day. Another important characteristic of the nursery is that the temperature remains between 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a critical aspect of the nursery because the puppies are unable to regulate their own body temperatures at such a young age. We use overhead heat lamps in each space, so the young puppies have additional access to warmth to stay at a healthy body temperature. Lastly, each birthing space is elevated off the floor, so mothers and puppies are not feeling any cool temperature coming from the floor beneath them. Overall, it is extremely important that moms and their puppies feel relaxed and comfortable during this important stage of their lives.
Clinic & Intensive Care Unit
At Paradise Kennel we have the benefit of having a Clinic and Intensive Care Unit in our facility and an on-call veterinarian available for a11 of our puppies' medical needs. Having this space available in our facility limits the risk of the puppies developing illnesses or diseases from being exposed to different sick dogs at a veterinarian's office. Most importantly, our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) allows us to isolate the sick puppies from their peers in order to prevent further infection. In addition, the ICU allows for one-on-one care which a young puppy needs when facing a medical challenge. Within the medical area of the kennel there is various medical equipment such as nebulizers and microscopes. Nebulizers are crucial for newborn puppies with respiratory issues because the nebulizer allows the puppies to breathe more freely on their own after each treatment. Microscopes are also essential to analyze any bacteria or enzymes they may have discovered in a puppy. Overall, the puppies appreciate being able to stay in the comfort of their own home to receive the necessary medical care and analysis.
Grooming Room
Another important component of Paradise Kennel is the Grooming Room. A groomer visits the dogs every week to ensure they are looking their best. During this visit, each dog has their fur shampooed and dried, their fur trimmed, and their nails cut. Within the grooming room there is a tub made specifically for our dogs that is both comfortable and relaxing.
The groomer gently massages the shampoo on to the dog’s fur ensuring that every inch of their body is cleaned thoroughly. The dog is then dried with a high velocity hair dryer that ensures the air production is not too warm or too cold for the dog. After this, the groomer uses a variety of different fur trimmers to carefully trim the fur to make them look pristine. Special attention is given to the fur around the ears, the nose and the eyes as this fur can interrupt their eyesight or become irritating if it lays against the eyeball.
The same thing is true for trimming nose hairs, as these can become irritating and cause itchiness if left alone. Trimming the ears is also important as it limits the risk of ear infection and promotes overall ear health. It is also important to note that the tables in the grooming room are motorized and move up and down so the groomer can achieve the best angle to trim each part of the dog’s body.
Finally, the groomer uses nail trimmers specific for our breeds of dogs to trim their nails to a length that is not uncomfortable for the dogs. Also, included in the grooming room is a washing machine and dryer to clean any materials used to clean the dogs so there are no germs or bodily fluids being passed from one dog to the next.
Adult Kennel
The dogs having ample space to explore and spend their time is a top priority in our philosophy of dog breeding. Each dog has a large indoor space which leads to a spacious “puppy playground” which via a patio door. This provides the dogs with an ample amount of freedom because they are the decision makers for when they go outside or come inside.
The “puppy playground” is complete with multiple shaded areas and pools to keep the dogs cool during the summer months. And of course, there are multiple toys and games for the puppies to play with in their “playground”. Also, while outside the puppies can see the other dogs they cohabitate with and communicate with them.
Inside each “dog condo” there is an ample supply of food and water and comfortable areas for relaxation. There is a large bed in each condo that is raised off the floor, so the dogs do not get chilled, and the bed is surrounded by generous amounts of shredded paper.
This material not only absorbs bodily fluids but also adds warmth for the dogs and provides comfort on their paws when walking around their space... This freedom and resort-like area help our adult dogs live a comforting and entertaining life!
Sanitation
Cleanliness and sanitation take precedence at Paradise Kennel because a clean environment is essential for our dogs and puppies. Each day the dogs' living spaces are cleaned and sanitized. The cleaning process is detail oriented and includes many steps.
Every day the bedding, food bowls and water bowls are all changed and cleaned. The bowls are put into a commercial grade high-temp dishwasher in order to ensure that any bacteria that may be on them gets cleaned effectively. After this, the walls and doors of each “puppy condo” are cleaned with a disinfectant that is safe for dogs (name of cleaning product used).
Every floor is also mopped with dog-safe floor cleaner (name of what is used to mop the floor) to ensure that there is no residue left behind that could potentially develop bacteria. Fresh bedding is then applied and the hallways around the kennel are also mopped to ensure that no bacteria was left on the floor from employee’ shoes.
Having a high degree of cleanliness in a kennel is extremely important to omit the risk of spreading disease between the dogs and puppies.
Entertainment
At Paradise Kennel, we also take into consideration that hearing the barking of their fellow kennel mates is not always the best way to create a relaxing environment. Because of this, the kennel is equipped with a sound system that plays soothing music, such as classical music, which helps the puppies and dogs relax throughout the day and night. In addition, this constant music also helps to drown out the sound of scary noises such as a thunderstorm.
In addition, there are large televisions throughout the kennel that the dogs can watch to further stimulate their brains. To add, it is proven that music helps soothe puppies and dogs just as it does babies and young children. Furthermore, watching TV can help enhance a dog’s or puppies knowledge of the real-world and better prepare them for when they find their forever home! Overall, the accessibility to music enhances our goal of creating a calming and comforting environment.
Health and Safety
Throughout the day and night there are many interactions between the dogs, the puppies and the Paradise Kennel employees, however, we do have a camera system in place when that direct supervision is not available. Cameras are put on specifically for pregnant mothers so the staff can monitor their progress and intervene if necessary during the birthing process.
There are also cameras set up throughout the kennel to monitor the day-to-day activities that occur. This ensures that all the puppies are safe and monitored for any discrepancies in their care. In addition, there is a fire system in the kennel to notify us promptly if there are any signs of smoke or fire.
Lastly, there is a back-up generator in the case that the power goes out. This way if there was to be a power outage, all of the electronics and systems in place for the dogs and puppies will remain functional.
These health and safety precautions are in place to ensure that our puppies and dogs are safe and secure at all times.
Our Vet
The Florenceville Veterinary Clinic their team believes in the human-animal bond, and treats each animal as an individual.
Dr. Shannon Monteith , Veterinarian & Practice Owner
Education: Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island
Dr. Monteith is a 2001 graduate of the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island. She has worked for several mixed and companion animal practices along the Saint John River Valley. Dr. Monteith joined the Florenceville Veterinary Clinic as a part-time associate in 2003, became full time in 2008, and purchased the practice in March of 2010.
Dr. Monteith loves the challenge and variety of cases that veterinary medicine brings each and every day. She has a special interest in orthopedic surgery and animal rescue/rehabilitation.
Shannon’s ability to treat her patients as if they were her own is a quality that every pet owner desires in their vet. Her constant drive to improve her practice, learn new techniques, enhance the client relationship and positively influence the lives of their pets makes Florenceville Vet Clinic a one-of-a-kind medical endeavor.
Shannon is known for having an uncanny ability to handle even the most nervous and stressed pets with kindness and compassion, always keeping their comfort level at the forefront of her treatment plan. She is a doctor unlike any other and embodies the true values of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
The full Vet exam of the Puppies
We have established a strong collaboration with the Florenceville Veterinary Clinic to ensure that all our dogs are in excellent health condition. Dr. Shannon Monteith comes directly to the kennel every month.
Our veterinarians consistently strive to maintain the puppies and the parents of our precious fur babies in optimal shape and condition until the travel date. Each puppy is vaccinated and dewormed before travel.
Our veterinarians conduct close examinations for the following:
-
Possible signs of genetic defects.
-
Weigh the puppy
-
Listen to heart and lungs with a stethoscope
-
Take his temperature (note: pet temperatures are taken rectally)
-
Examine eyes, ears, nose, feet, and genitalia
-
Examine skin and coat
-
Look at teeth and mouth
-
Palpate abdomen
General appearance Body score 1 to 10
-
Mouth
-
Teeth
-
Eyes
-
Ears
-
Cardiovascular System
-
Respiratory System
-
Lymph Nodes
-
Abdomen
-
Gastrointestinal System
-
Genitourinary System
-
Skin
-
Musculature
-
Skeleton
Florenceville
240 Burnham Rd.
Woodstock Branch
395 Connell Rd.
Perth Branch
119 Fort Rd.
Contact Florenceville Veterinary Clinic
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
Inukshuk Professional Dog Food
Available here at the Kennel
The Inukshuk StoryInukshuk Professional Dog Food is produced in our family-owned facility in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada under the strictest safety and quality assurance guidelines in the industry. The CoreyTEC™ innovations in pet food allow us to deliver the highest levels of nutrition and energy in the market. Our nutrient-dense formulas mean you feed less than the common brand dog food, stretching each bag further. Buying from us means you’re buying directly from the manufacturer, saving you money upfront. Inukshuk is ideal for working dogs of any breed, and for kennel owners, breeders, mushers, K9 units, service dogs and any other owners who require top performance level nutrition.
Our Inukshuk 26/16 formula is designed to be an ideal dog food for all life stages, including growing puppies and normally active dogs of all breeds. Easy to digest and nutrient-dense with vitamins and minerals essential for building strength.
The 26/16 formula is the best choice for a puppy, an aging dog, small-medium breeds, and the average family dog.
Join our Community!
Paradise Kennel Family Facebook Group
We are more than just your regular breeder, our relationship with everyone continues well beyond the day your puppy comes home. We love to keep in touch and see our Paradise Family group growing online by sharing the love with pictures and video of birthday, brother and sister, first visit at the groomer and a lot more... We love to see our fur babies growing up in loving homes. We provide life time support on all our dogs, We're there for you!
Our Clients Say
" I wanted to share my positive experience for those considering getting a puppy from Paradise. I have two Havanese from them: one is nearly 8 years old and very sweet, while the other is almost 4 and quite energetic but equally affectionate. Over the years, I've always been able to reach out to Colette with any questions, even just this morning. She is consistently there to help in any way possible, which is incredibly important when searching for a breeder, as you often have questions throughout the entire journey. I am extremely grateful to have found this wonderful team (I'm from Toronto). Thank you, Colette Voisine, for your unwavering support! We love you, sweet Mia and playful Stella! "
Marcella Poretta, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
