~ About Us ~
Welcome to Pleasant Meadows!
~ About Us ~
Welcome to Pleasant Meadows!
Where Heritage Meets a Healthier Future
At Pleasant Meadows, we are stewards of a legacy built on love. Our story is rooted in a deep-seated passion for animals that has flourished across generations, beginning with the values of dignity, respect, and quality care first instilled by our grandparents. While our roots took hold in Alberta, we have called the beautiful countryside of rural Ontario home for many years.
Established in 2009, our program was built on a foundation of ethics and expertise. Our reputation for excellence grew quickly, and we are proud to have Pleasant Meadows puppies bringing joy to families in every single province across Canada.
CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ROTATE THROUGH THE GALLERY!
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |
Our Mission: Sustainable Family Lines
We believe every family deserves a companion that is built for a long, happy life. Because we adore the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, we have dedicated our program to a "genetic restart." Our ethical strategies are designed to minimize genetic defects, guided by research from scientists at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute.
Our practices follow evidence-based recommendations published in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, which emphasize the importance of out-crossing purebred lines—specifically the Cavalier—to increase genetic diversity and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Cavapoo.
To achieve this, we maintain a zero-inbreeding standard in our lines. We out-cross at every generation, ensuring total genetic diversity. When we retain a dog from our own line, we always match them with a completely unrelated mate chosen for the healthy traits and wonderful temperaments we want to see blossom in the next generation.
Purposeful Selection: A Healthier Counter-Balance
While we are helping to lead the way in genetic diversity in Canada, the heart of our program remains our Legacy Cavapoo lines. We continue to maintain lines that are strictly Cavalier and Poodle—heritage lines that we can proudly trace back nearly two decades. This deep history allows us to provide families with incredible predictability in temperament and health, backed by generations of our own careful selection.
In addition to these established lines, we also choose to out-cross some of our pairings following the scientific recommendations of the Roslin Institute. This allows us to offer both the traditional heritage companions our families have loved for 17+ years, and new, diverse lines built for maximum longevity.
Each breed we choose to introduce acts as a natural counter-balance to ensure a robust, happy puppy:
-
English Springer Spaniel: Known for structural soundness and athletic longevity, they bring physical vigor while mirroring the affectionate Spaniel spirit.
-
Tibetan Spaniel: One of the world’s oldest and healthiest breeds, they offer a vital genetic reset and are known for exceptional heart health.
-
Havanese (Our Future Goal): We are excited to introduce the Havanese for a hypoallergenic boost. They are sturdy, cheerful dogs that add structural diversity and "zest" to our future litters.
High-level Health Standards
With With nearly two decades of experience in canine birthing and specialized care, we don’t leave anything to chance. Our program is grounded in a deep academic foundation; educated in Animal Sciences and Genetics, we understand the technical complexities of hereditary health. We utilize a multi-layered screening process that combines the world’s leading DNA laboratories with rigorous physical veterinary exams:
Wisdom Panel: A world leader in canine genetics, providing screening for 265+ genetic health conditions. Crucially, we utilize Wisdom Panel for Heterozygosity Screening, allowing us to scientifically measure and maximize the genetic diversity within our lines.
Orivet / Canine Health Check: Through the strategic partnership of these industry leaders, we screen for over 320+ genetic diseases and 50+ traits. This provides an ISAG/Orivet/PPG DNA Profile/Fingerprint for our dogs, ensuring a clinical-grade look at hereditary risks to ensure long-term vitality.
Paw Print Genetics: Renowned for high diagnostic accuracy, these panels offer specialized screening for inherited conditions, allowing us to pinpoint and eliminate specific risks with absolute precision.
Comprehensive Eye Screening: Collectively, our genetic partners screen for a combined 81 eye conditions. This includes testing for retinal dysplasia, cone and rod degeneration (PRA-prcd), hereditary cataracts, retinal atrophy, and dry eye syndrome (specific to the Cavalier). Canine Health Check tests for 58 of these conditions, while Wisdom Panel screens for an additional 23.
Physical Veterinary Exams:
-
Patellas (Knees): Our veterinarian performs manual joint manipulations to gauge tendon laxity. We only breed dogs with Normal/Grade 0 results, indicating solid joints with zero laxity.
-
Cardiovascular: Our vet checks for murmurs (turbulent blood flow) or irregular beats using a stethoscope and an ECG, where the heartbeat is assessed on a monitor.
-
Vision: Our veterinarian also conducts physical eye exams using an ophthalmoscope to view and assess the retina and inner eye.
The Foundation of Longevity: Nutrition
We provide the genetic blueprint for a healthy life, but we believe that quality nutrition is the fuel that allows that blueprint to succeed. Because poor nutrition can negatively impact development, longevity, and quality of life, our 2-to-5-year genetic health guarantee is specifically linked to the use of high-quality, approved nutrition. By pairing expert genetics with superior fuel, we give your puppy the best possible start for a vibrant future.
A Home Full of Heart, Not a Kennel
We are firmly against kennel environments. We believe that for a dog to have a sound mind and a wagging tail, they must be a cherished family member.
To ensure every one of our dogs receives the individual love they deserve, they live within a family circle. Our dogs reside either with us or with our trusted circle of extended family and friends throughout the year. They are pampered pets who enjoy life as family companions between litters. When our moms are ready to have their puppies, they return to our home to be raised underfoot with constant snuggles and expert socialization.
Life in the Country
Our puppies are raised in the heart of our home, but they also benefit from the rich environment of our country property. We share our land with chickens, quail, and rabbits, and we believe in a holistic approach to wellness. We utilize fresh chicken and quail eggs from our birds as a nutrient-dense dietary supplement for our dogs. Raising puppies with exposure to the daily rhythms of the country and other small animals creates confident, well-adjusted companions who are ready to transition seamlessly into your family home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still offer traditional Cavapoos?
-
Yes! We are very proud of our Legacy Lines, which are strictly Cavalier and Poodle. We have been working with these specific bloodlines for nearly twenty years, allowing us to trace the health and temperament of our puppies back through multiple generations of their own unique family tree.
What is the difference between your traditional Cavapoos and your out-crossed lines?
-
Our traditional Cavapoos follow the classic pairing of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. Our out-crossed lines introduce a small percentage of a third, healthy breed (like the Tibetan or Springer Spaniel). Both lines are raised with the same 17+ years of expertise and extensive health testing.
Why do you choose to out-cross every generation?
-
We maintain a zero-inbreeding standard to maximize genetic health. By introducing a completely unrelated mate in every generation, we significantly reduce the risk of recessive genetic disorders that are common in "closed" purebred gene pools. It’s about being proactive so your puppy has the best foundation for a long life.
Do out-crossed puppies still look and act like Cavapoos?
-
Yes! We specifically choose out-crosses—like the Tibetan Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel—because they share similar "Spaniel" traits, soft coats, and affectionate personalities. Our goal is to retain the predictable look and the classic "Comforter Spaniel" nature that our families love, while simply making the "engine" under the hood more robust.
Are your puppies hypoallergenic?
-
Most of our puppies are very low-to-non-shedding, making them excellent for many families with allergies. Our future goal of introducing the Havanese is specifically designed to provide an even greater "hypoallergenic boost" to our lines while adding to our genetic diversity.
Can I see the health testing for the parents?
-
Absolutely. Transparency is a core value here. All health testing and clearances for our parents are fully visible on their individual profile pages. We utilize Wisdom Panel, Orivet, Paw Print Genetics, and Canine Health Check, along with vet clearances. We are always happy to discuss the health foundation of our sustainable family lines with you.
Our Promise to You:
-
Whether you are looking for a calm therapy-standard temperament or a playful sidekick for your backyard adventures, our goal is the same: to provide a healthy, happy, and predictable companion. We invite you to join the Pleasant Meadows family and see what years of heart-led, scientific breeding and our heritage "Comforter Spaniel" lines can do.
~ Proverbs 12:10 ~
We believe that God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them -- as told in Genesis. Animals are valued by God Himself and He left the responsibility to man, to rule over all of His creation. Let us be good stewards of that trust, and be kind to all His creatures great and small.
"A righteous man regards the life of his animal ..."
Where did the name
"Pleasant Meadows"
come from?
Our Grandparents were a huge part of our lives and during our founding years in 2009 and beyond to 2016 they immensely enjoyed the puppies we raised while they lived with us on our farm so that we could care for them as they aged and still enable them to have some independence. My Grandfather (who was English through and through) had a dream that our farm was called "Pleasant Meadows" just like the farms and cottages are named over in England in the home of his childhood. He took great pride in tending gardens and making our property the scene of perfection and beauty. It was his complete joy to stay active and take care of our property that bore the name "Pleasant Meadows" as he had dreamed. Our name honours him and the immense influence that our Grandparents had in our lives as they supported our dreams and helped us achieve them! Our Border Collie mix "Meadow" was thus named by my Grandfather to match our name, and he often referred to her endearingly in his later days as "Meadows" like our name. Meadow and our rescue shepherd, Sebastian, were much loved by our grandparents. Below is a photo of Meadow and her companion Sebastian who are now both senior citizens around here -- we cherish every day we have with them. Both still take their "job" seriously as guardians for our horses, although they spend most of their days in our air conditioned/heated garage due to their age. Some day, their torch will be passed on, but for now, our name and their lives are a reminder of our beloved Grandparents.
Summer 2018 Update: Sebastian and Meadow have aged significantly in the last year and are now both unable to protect our horses and our other dogs from dangerous predators! They both have a strong work ethic and loved to "work" well into their old age, and by "work" we mean bark at anything suspicious on our property like a coyote or bear! Sebastian is the eldest, and because he was a rescue, we don't know his exact age but he is well over 10 years old and he now spends most of his time lounging around! Both he and Meadow have earned that right and they are considered retired and "off duty" but you'll still likely hear their thundering barks when you roll up to our home! We hope and pray that we still have some more time left with them in our lives, but we can see that age is catching up to them faster than our hearts can handle!
Winter 2019 Update: Sebastian passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 1st -- we originally had rescued Sebastian 11 years earlier in December, and so the fact that he also left us in December brought back many bittersweet memories of when he was first came into our home! We will always love and dearly miss Sebastian as he was such a huge part of our founding years as Pleasant Meadows! Sebastian is likely walking through beautiful flowered gardens in Heaven with my Grandfather who adored Sebastian for his beauty and bravery!
Winter 2022 Update: Meadow has enjoyed the life of a pampered house pet for the past 5 years, but her guard dog spirit is still very strong and she is often seen watching over our younger generations when they are outside. Meadow is perhaps the heart and soul of Pleasant Meadows being our namesake and we are enjoying every day that we have with Meadow who truly is a guardian angel.
Fall 2023 Update: Meadow has joined her Beloved Sebastian and our Grandparents in Heaven -- she passed quickly and peacefully Thanksgiving 2023 after a heart attack. She was 14 years old and her presence will forever be missed in our home and lives -- she was irreplaceable beyond any measure, but we are so thankful to have been blessed so tremendously by her simply being in our lives! We love you sweet darling Meadow!