A one-person kennel, in Lac-Beauport.
Nine years, two breeds, and one rule that has never changed: never more puppies than one person can know by name.
A track whippet, adopted to slow down.
My first whippet, Balto, came from a lure-coursing line — fast, wired, unable to sit still. Or so I believed before adopting him. Two weeks after he arrived, he had found his spot on the couch and barely moved from it for the next thirteen years.
That contradiction is what made me want to breed: a dog capable of almost absurd speed, and yet one of the calmest companions there is. The Italian greyhound came a few years later, for the same reasons, in a more delicate package.
Nine years on, I whelp two litters a year, never more, in the house where I live with my own dogs. There's no kennel building here — just a living room that sometimes smells a little too much like puppy.
Two sighthounds, no compromises.
I don't mix breeds and I don't diversify. Knowing two lines well beats skimming across six.
Both breeds share the same silhouette — lean, athletic, built for speed — but not quite the same temperament. I lay them out honestly below, strengths and limits included, because a poor breed match is costly on both ends of the leash.
Neither is a good fit for an unsupervised fenced yard: both are sighthounds by instinct, and that chase drive never fully switches off, even in a beautifully trained dog.
Whippet
The larger and hardier of the two. At ease with active children, capable of long walks as much as long naps. It's the sighthound I most often recommend to a first-time family.
Worth knowing: an exceptional turn of speed — recall needs to be solid before any off-leash freedom near a road or a fleeing small animal.
Italian Greyhound
Smaller, more delicate, almost cat-like in its manners. Deeply attached to one or two particular people. An apartment dog par excellence, provided its fragility is respected.
Worth knowing: fine bone structure (caution with jumping as a puppy) and near-total intolerance to cold — a coat isn't an accessory here, it's essential nine months of the year.
What we test for, and what we guarantee.
No mating takes place before both parents complete the screenings recommended for their breed. Certificates are handed to you directly — not summarized, not "available on request."
Heart and eyes
Cardiac exam and annual ophthalmologic exam by a veterinary specialist.
Patellas
Orthopedic evaluation of the knees, frequently fragile in small sighthounds.
Genetic panel
DNA testing for known hereditary conditions, including von Willebrand disease in the whippet.
Two-year guarantee against serious hereditary conditions, provided in writing. Replacement or refund, your choice.
Come meet the parents before you decide.
I welcome families by appointment, even without a firm plan. You'll see where the puppies grow up, meet the mothers, and ask the hard questions.
A tip, even if you don't adopt from here: be wary of a breeder who suggests meeting in a parking lot or refuses to show you the mother. It's the most reliable red flag there is.