Our Puppy Plan





We began our Icelandic Sheepdog breeding program journey in 2007 with our very first litter. Using recommendations from Pieter Oliehoek's research to preserve genetic diversity in the Icelandic Sheepdog as our blueprint, our goals were to produce typical, good tempered Icelandic Sheepdogs, with good work ethic and health, while striving to preserve genetic diversity. It was imperative that our pups stay true to their working breed heritage and maintain the breed's drive, work ethic and adaptability. Our pups have gone from farm to show ring successes, small town to the streets of New York City, they compete in a wide range of performance sports, they work with special needs children and are members of Canine Search and Rescue Teams. In 2017, Jo-Ann became an AKC Bronze Breeder of Merit, and in 2024, became an AKC Silver Breeder of Merit, with all qualitying titles carrying the Fox Meadow prefix.


Our aim is to follow the recommendations for breeding Icelandic Sheepdogs oulined by the Icelandic Sheepdog International Cooperative and the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America. Our puppies are whelped from AKC registered, health tested sires and dams in accordance with these guidelines. Health testing is publicly recorded with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.


Fox Meadow puppies will be whelped and raised in our home along side the rest of the Fox Meadow family. We give them a nurturing environment so that they will get the very best possible start in life.





Our lovely ladies are fed a holistic fish based food, giving them and their developing offspring a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA, a building block for improved mental development, as this diet is a constant in their life, they will continue on it through nursing.

We begin early Nero-stimulation exercises at day three of our puppies lives, as well as "neonate scent work" exposing them to different scents before they can see and hear to help expand their world. When their eyes and ears open, we then begin socialization experiences to help shape balanced dogs for their new families by offering them new challenges daily. This aids in their developing confidence, it also helps us assess each puppy's temperament and drive for future placements. We


Puppies from Fox Meadow will be AKC registered, will be micro-chipped and recorded, have all age appropriate immunizations, exams and health checks, as well as a puppy care package and lifetime "technical support" for our Fox Meadow puppies.


Jo-Ann is dedicated to raising the best possible companions, she had amazing mentor's from Iceland, Scandinavia, Europe and the USA when she first began her Icelandic Sheepdog journey, she dedicated herself to knowing and understanding the pedigrees of the breed and issues that might be present. To help further her understanding of the canine genome she has attended the following seminars related to Canine Health and Breeding:

  • ABC's of Breeding - Claudia Orlandini,PhD
  • Canine Reproduction - Cheri Johnson DVM, DACVIM
  • Recognizing Reproductive Emergencies - L. ARI Jutkowicz, DVM, DACVEEC Canine Eye Disease - Simon Peterson-Jones DVM
  • Canine Orthopedics -T.A. Zachos, DVM, PhD, DACVS
  • Canine Cardiology - Bari Oliver, DVM, PhD, DACVI
  • Optimizing reproductive performance through Nutrition and Technology - Deborah Greco, DVM,PhD,DACVIM
  • Canine Reproduction and Whelping - Myra Savant Harris
  • Puppy Intensive Care - Myra Savant Harris
  • Breeding Better Dogs - Carmen Battaglia
  • Basic Population Genetics for Dog Breeders - Institute of Canine Biology
  • Canine Theriogenology - Dr Peggy Root
  • Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression


Our Puppy Challenges





Just a glimpse of the Challenges we expose our pups to



IsBrynja and Isorn



Isbrynja (Brynja) and Isorn (Archer) together on the dog walk under the watchful eye of our Chinook Rory. Pups are exposed to challenges, to build confidence. We do not lure them on to these obstacles, they navigate them on their own, building confidence daily.



Isbrynja and Isorn



Pups become so confident that races often occur. Their safety is monitored closely and the footing below is astroturf that has been layered to provide a soft surface for them to bound about on.



Isbrynja and Isorn



Brynja and Archer lounging on the mini dog walk, our goal is to have them be comfortable with any obstacle they might meet. The puppy A-Frame is their introduction to the adult obstacle. They become so comfortable with them that lounging on them becomes a thing. .



Isbrynja



Brynja's favorite thing is the dog walk, She's never lured on to the obstacles, she choses to be challenged - but- when she gets to the other side she's rewarded with applause and praise. Brynja has gone on to a Conformation / Agility home.



Isorn



Isorn aka "Archer" is a travelin' man vacationing with his family and will hopefully be offered for stud..



Tyfon



Six week old,. Tyfon, from our IceDragon Invasion litter loves the Dog Walk too






The Ice Dragons First Snowcones



The joys of small town living! Our little town had a last day of school snowcone stand set up for the kids in town - so we took our "kids" to sample some of their treats. Safe from any exposure in their little buggy, the 4 week old pups experienced big dump trucks rumbling down the road, a pack of elementary school kids hyped up on sugary snow cones, pumping their arms, asking the trucks to blow their horns, and various other stimulas. They were unphased as they each nibbled on their own snowcone.




Lessons within the Chaos



Being part of an Icelandic Sheepdog litter requires each pup to be resilient, the chaos is constant as their busy brains and little bodies seek to use up all that energy they have.


The puppy yard is a favorite place for the pups and the adults of all ages to hang out together. It gives the pups the opportunity to learn puppy manners, learn to respect space and to read body language.



Champion Iseyjar Mjoll asleep on the Job



This is great Grand Dam Mjoll an AKC and International Champion , she loves the puppiews and frequently takes on babysitting duties, although she doesn't always have the energy for the pups, like many grandmothers - you'll sometimes find her snoozing while the pups are playing.



Hyndla and Isorn



Hyndla was but 6 months old when Isbrynja and Isorn were born, she was so excited to have youngsters to play with, and she is an amzing dog for them to model behaviors after


Having the opportunity to have dogs of all ages and sexes to interact with is a real benefit to young dogs to learn manners and model behaviors.



Stjornubjort Nott "Star" and Herbjorn Rebbasson "Bjorn"



Little Herbjorn Rebbasson "Bjorn" was a singleton and Star just adored the little guy, As a singlton he really benefitted from being able to interact with the other dogs .and Star was his best pal. They were ridiculous together.



Pool Party Playtime



All the dogs love it when the pool comes out





Sefyr's little friend



A young friend came to play in the pool with little Sefyr



Lina and Fafner swimming in the Creek



12 week old Lina and Fafner swimming in the creek once their vaccinations were complete.



Lina, Fafner and Heaven post swim at the town park



Heaven loves the water and Lina and Faner are huge fans too! What better way to dry off than to run your fastest in the sunshine!



The Ball Pit Castle



We inherited a childs play castle when some folks moved away next door. It's the dogs favorite thing, the interior of the castle makes an amazing Ball pit.




Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair



Heaven peeking out the window of the Fox Meadow Castle.



Who is the Queen of the Castle?



The puppies, when they're little always try to get to the top of the slide, and then slide down. The one who gets up there first always has the "top dog" advantage. Flurry is Queen of the Castle in this photo!.






Long Live the Queen



Daisy made it up to the top first in her litter! The rest are soon to follow, but she's holding the high ground.



Ruby - the little mermaid



Ruby was a singleton puppy, the gang quickly adopted her and introduced her to the wading pool




Ruby - the Little Mermaid



Heaven's little singleton puppy "Ruby" . Singleton's need extra socialization as they have fewer opportunities for interaction.



Ruby the little Mermaid



Ruby our little treasure



Conquering Catepillars



The big dogs requently taunt the littles by staying just out of reach. The Catepillar tunnel offers another challenge to the youngsters.



Shopping - the most fun adventure!



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Puppies choosing to Do the teeter



We give the puppies the opportunity to explore obstacles without any pressure. They make the decision to try them, if they do we are there to make the experience a fun one!





Einherji Takes on the teeter



For some puppies the teeter becomes their favorite thing, for others they decide it isn't their cup of tea, and that's ok



Skater Chick



Some of the pups really love the skateboard



Skater Chick



Ivy loved entertaining herself riding her skate board.



Skater Chick



Little Ivy was the ultimate skater girl by 7 weeks old.



Puppy Scent Work



The Maintenance Department at work made me scent tubes for Heaven's litter, and she was amazing at detecting the target scent..




Finding the target scent



A have amazingly supportive co-workers, and our maintenance department at work has manufactured so many amazing things for our puppies. Here baby Heaven has detected the target scent and is waiting for her reward




Neonate Scentwork



A neonate puppy is guided through the world by their scent of smell asd their eyes and ears are closed until they're about 2 weeks old. Exposing them to different scents encourages them to begin discerning scents earlier



Cat tunnels are the perfect size for Icelandic Sheepdog puppies



Often you have to get creatiive when it comes to toys and obstacles for Icelandic Sheepdogs. Well - it seems that Cat Tunnels are the perfect size for them!



Cat tunnels are the perfect size for Icelandic Sheepdog puppies




Some of the tunnels are a lot of fun - they love this unicorn tunnel. Not only is the body a tunnel, but the legs are too, and .....it CRINKLES! Their favorite thing!



One of their very first obstacles




One of the first things we give the puppies to play with, is the little tykes play slide. First they explore under it, then they try going up the slide of the stairs, and then it becomes part of their play.



One of their very first obstacles




And as they get older, they use it as a tool to look over the side of the whelping box - or to make their escape!



One of their very first obstacles



Once play time is over - theere is no problem finding a comfy place to crash for a power nap!



Saucer swings more than just a place to nap




The Saucer swing may be in the kids department, but these pups think it's amazing too. Not only does it help entain them and build confidence, it also helps to train their inner ear to the motion so that they are less likely to experience car sickness as puppies. As time goes on - we learn a lot more about how to "build a better pupy"



Finding unconvential things for them to explore




Giving them new experiences and exposing them to sounds that will startle them, and then recover from, such as sirens, thunder and fireworks helps them learn that the noisy world around them isn't so scary.



One of the Puppies 1st obstacles



One of the puppies first obstacles is the tiny tot slide. It is popular with every littler, first they begin exploring, then they incorporate it into their play time.




One of the Puppies 1st obstacles



One of the puppies first obstacles is the tiny tot slide. It is popular with every littler, first they begin exploring, then they incorporate it into their play time.






443-280-4966
joann@fox-meadow.com



Fox-Meadow.com