Happy New Year!

As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year that brought profound loss, significant growth, and countless reminders of why this work matters so deeply to me.

A Heartbreaking Goodbye

In March, I said goodbye to Olaf – the dog who started it all. He was my first Maremma, the one who convinced my dog-hating husband that dogs could be incredible, the foundation sire of Prancing Pony Farm, and my loyal livestock guardian dog for nearly ten years. Losing him left a hole in my heart and in our farm that I’m still learning to navigate.

But Olaf’s legacy didn’t end when his life did. Every puppy born here carries forward what he taught me about this remarkable breed. Every successful placement honors the foundation he built.

Becoming the Breeder Olaf Deserved

Just one month after losing Olaf, I achieved something I’d been working toward for a year: I became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. This certification represents hundreds of hours of intensive study in canine behavior, learning theory, and positive reinforcement training. It means every puppy I raise benefits from science-based protocols proven effective across thousands of dogs.

Completing this program wasn’t easy. There were moments I thought I might not make it. But I kept thinking about Olaf and all the dogs who came after him – they deserved a breeder who was also a professional trainer, someone who understood both genetics and behavior from a scientific foundation. And their owners deserved a breeder who would be equipped to support them as they finished raising and training their puppies to maturity.

As far as I know, I’m the only Maremma Sheepdog breeder in North America who is also a KPA certified professional dog trainer. This isn’t just a credential – it’s a commitment. A commitment to excellence, to continuous learning, and to giving every puppy the best possible start in life.

A Perfect Match in Paradise

One of my greatest joys this year was watching Caia thrive in her new home in Hawaii. Shipping a puppy to the islands isn’t simple – most breeders wouldn’t even consider it. But Caia’s family was exceptional from the start, and they’ve proven to be everything I hope for in puppy owners.

They don’t just love Caia – they’re intentional about meeting her needs. They’ve taken multiple dog training courses, including the one I recommend to all dog owners, KPA Foundations. They train with her daily. They take her on adventures to the beach, the lake, on walks, and to visit other dogs several times a week. They update me regularly with photos, videos, and questions if they’re unsure about anything.

This is what proper companion Maremma ownership looks like. Caia thrives as a single companion dog because her family works hard to ensure she has an enriched, fulfilling life. Their dedication validates everything I believe about placing well-socialized Maremmas in diverse roles with committed families.

Caia is Living Proof That I Made the Right Choice

For years, I refused to sell Maremmas to non-working homes. I believed these dogs could only be happy guarding livestock, and I believed their value as working dogs would guarantee their owners would cherish them forever.

I was wrong on both counts.

I’ve seen working homes fail dogs just as badly as any pet home could. I’ve had LGDs returned because owners lost interest, sold their farms, or simply didn’t want to deal with training their young LGDs. (Dogs are not robots who magically do exactly what you want. They need to be set up for success through careful management and positive, science-based training.) Working homes are no guarantee of a happy life or a forever home.

That realization changed everything for me. I stopped asking “Will this dog work livestock?” and started asking “Will this family love, commit to, and meet this dog’s needs for its entire life?”

Caia’s family has chickens, and she has access to outdoor pastures, but she lives primarily as a companion dog – in the house most of the time, living a pet lifestyle with outdoor access. She’s not working as a traditional LGD, and that’s perfectly fine because she has something far more important: a family completely devoted to her well-being, her enrichment, and her happiness.

This is what I want for every dog I breed – not a specific job description, but the level of love, commitment, and intentionality that Caia’s family demonstrates every single day. 💜

The Year in Numbers

In 2025, 29 Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas found their forever homes across eight states and Canada. Three became companion dogs like Caia. The rest became what I call “family farm dogs” – working livestock guardians who also enjoy close bonds with their human families.

These dogs ranged from 12-week-old puppies to mature 6-year-old working dogs, proving that there’s a perfect Prancing Pony Maremma for every situation and timeline.

Looking Ahead

As we head into 2026, I carry Olaf’s legacy forward with renewed purpose. I have puppies from my fall litters ready to find their families – puppies raised by a KPA-certified trainer using science-based protocols, puppies who benefit from everything Olaf taught me about this incredible breed. Puppies who are equally suited to lives as working livestock guardian dogs or devoted companions.

If 2026 is your year to add a Maremma to your life – whether as a livestock guardian or a companion – I’d love to talk about whether one of these puppies might be right for you.

I wrote a blog post about our year, which you can read here. I’ve also put together a video of highlights from 2025. It includes some of my favorite photos of the puppies who carry on Olaf’s legacy, and a few photos of Caia with her amazing family – the family who opened their hearts and home to this beautiful Prancing Pony Maremma this year.

Thank You

Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for the updates, photos, and stories you share. Thank you for trusting me with your livestock guardian needs and for helping carry Olaf’s legacy forward.

Here’s to honoring the past while building an even better future.

Kim

Prancing Pony Farm

P.S. Interested in available puppies? Reply to this email or book a call with me – I’d love to chat!

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