In 1989 I married my life partner and loyal companion Jeff Fagan.  I would tease him that my four-legged Jeff had returned for lasting companionship in the heart of this great guy.  I continued to share “Jeff” stories and it was obvious I was missing that Doberman presence, so in 1990 we purchased our sweet Rosie, another pet quality Doberman, super with children and a great family pet.

Being an educator I began to research the Doberman Pinscher.  Through my research I became very interested in Faye and Gary Strauss and their breeding program.  I talked with Faye several times on the phone and in April 1992 made the commitment to purchase a show quality pup from her.  We were off on an adventure to Kent, Washington, to pick up our first show puppy.

Sherluck’s Velvet Ash, “Ashlee”, was beautiful.  Everything about her said, “Look at me!  Look at me!”.  Her temperament was consistent and her attitude was always upbeat and eager to please.  Her pedigree was rock solid with some of the all time greats like Ch. Electra’s the Wind Walker (double), Ch. Tolivar’s Boo Radley DOB Mann (triple), and Ch. Sherluck’s Slew O Gold (double).  I didn’t appreciate her pedigree until several years later as my education in Dobermans continued.

When Ashlee was four years old I gave up on the show ring and decided to try the whelping box.  I put 5 single points on her (one Best of Breed) but when it came to the big shows and professional handlers she wasn’t as cooperative.  I bred her to Ch. Ravenswood Cairo V Aquarius and whelped a beautiful litter of eight.  We kept a black bitch, Heartwood’s Jewel of the Nile, “Jewel”.  And that is how Heartwood Dobermans began to grow.  What started as a dream continues to develop with every dog show we compete in and every litter we breed.

Heartwood has sixteen homegrown champions (one a 2005 Top 20 finalist), 2019 Top Twenty Obedience contender, and many more performance titles.  Our strength has been breeding temperaments for Therapy Dog work.  Sound minds and awesome temperaments has been our focus.  Puppies are raised in our home.  With each breeding we plan for the future.

My commitment to the breed is to improve health while focusing on developing a sound, consistent temperament.  My goal is to raise strong, loyal, intelligent Dobermans that are the standard in body and mind.  Of course my first goal is to raise puppies that are great companion dogs, but also puppies that are competitive in the conformation and performance ring.  We are 2019 recipients of the DPCA Bronze Apex Award...recognizing outstanding breeders!