Extensive experience with wide variety of breeds, including pregnant females, newborns and special needs dogs. Love spending time with dogs of all ages. Would like to specialize in giving pet owners a break for several hours while they go out to dinner, a concert, etc. We live in a dog-friendly area, with lots of knowledgeable people who care about their dogs and take them most places they go, but, even here, they can't go everywhere. There are also lot of people here who are traveling with their dogs, who might be limited in their activities because they are reluctant to leave their dogs alone in a strange place. Have whelped and raised litters myself and for friends. Extensive experience caring for youngsters and for dogs with medical issues. Most experienced with medium to giant breeds. Have had Rhodesian ridgebacks since 1999. Dalmatian, lab, and collie growing up. Had rescue sheltie and Doberman. Have spent considerable time with Danes, basenjis, whippets, and vizslas, but have had at least some experience with most breeds. Experience in conformation, agility, lure coursing, rally, nose work, and herding, so have learned wide variety of ways to deal with different issues. I am willing to travel up the I5 corridor as far as the Canadian border for several days or longer stays.