A Few Of Our Puppy Families

We had lost our dog a year earlier. Like others, it took a year for our healing to happen. When we started our search for a new dog, we came up with a specific list of requirements. Friendly to children, low or no shedding, lap dog, small breed, playful, and easy to train. Very quickly we discovered most of the dog breeds did not fit these requirements, but in the search process we discovered the Havanese. This breed seemed a perfect fit for us.    We soon discovered finding a good Havanese breeder was easier said than done. My grandmother bred dogs. I knew the gold standard.  My search for a responsible breeder like my grandmother for Havanese puppies was time consuming and difficult.  I quickly discovered what someone wrote on the website and what actually took place in real life were two different things.  Mariposa Havanese was different.  Michele actually invited us into her home to see how her dogs lived and played. We were beyond impressed.    We have had our Havanese over three years. He has been an absolute joy to us. While we were on a trip out west, our dog developed an uncontrollable itch.  We did not have strong enough cell service for a call to our vet, but we could get texts to go through to Michele. With her constant guidance and homemade remedies, we were able to find him relief in the “desert.”  Without question, Michele has the passion, love, and expertise of a top breeder like my grandmother.     

Keith and Patty Hamilton  Buford, GA  

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We want to thank you for the delightful, happy, and loving pup we call Emma. The patience and knowledge that you put into every Mariposa puppy shines through. You have supported us every step of the way during her first year, by answering our questions and sharing your vast knowledge of the Havanese breed. 

Some breeders only breed puppies. You raise them as a part of your family. You     take pride in sending each puppy to their new home well prepared for a successful and easy transition. We have had many dogs over our lifetimes, and we both agree that we have never enjoyed bringing up a puppy as much as we have Emma. She came to us litterbox trained and sleeping through the night! That is amazing for a 10-week-old puppy! She is well socialized and perfectly matched to our personalities and lifestyle. We are so thankful that we left the selection of the puppy up to you. We admit, the concept of placing the puppy based on temperament testing, instead of choosing by color and gender was a new concept. It could not have turned out better. I am in contact with “parents” of some of her littermates and they all say their pup is perfect for them. Well, done!

Getting to know you as the caring, efficient, and passionate person that you are, has been a pleasure. Our experience as Mariposa parents has changed our lives for the better. Again, thank you for guiding us through the process and thank you for our darling Emma.

Most Cordially,

Richard and Sue Ellen Wimbish

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Dear Michele,

How can I adequately express to you the joy that Walter has brought to our family? He is smart and adorable and funny and a delight.  

Your breeding practices and friendly support should be the hallmark other breeders strive to meet.  Receiving a puppy that sleeps through the night, is able to self soothe when appropriate, and is so easy to train is a dream come true.    I never imagined this transition would be so smooth. It's evident Walter had a life rich in experiences for his first 10 weeks.  The support you have offered us as new puppy parents has been equally remarkable.  You are always there to answer our questions and guide us in the right direction while we were preparing to be new owners, and you've offered so much support after we have brought our Walter home.  I'm forever grateful to have you as a resource for this sweet bundle of love.  

Our Tibetan Terrier Maisie is so happy to have a playmate.  We were concerned about how Maisie would take another pup coming into her life, but I can see the joy in her eyes when they're playing.  Maisie has been gentle and nurturing to Walter as he learns his way about his new home, and we can see Maisie maturing with this experience.

I sincerely hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and please give Maple and Rooney extra kisses from us.
Best,

Jean and Danny Moye

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"We just can't thank you enough for Lacey. She is MORE than we ever expected. We love her so much. You should be proud of the job you've done shaping these puppies into the delightful babies they are."

Love, Kathy and Tim Coder Fitchburg, MA 

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"I picked a Mariposa Havanese puppy after months of researching Havanese breeders and meeting with several of them. Michele is by far the most involved breeder I have met. The amount of time she spends with the puppies makes such a difference, as well as her attention to every detail. She is devoted to all of her dogs and is careful to place each pup in the best home, finding the best match. She has also made herself readily available to help with any questions. 

My pup, Bear, has spent every night happily in a crate since the day I brought him home. He was fairly easy to house train and rings a bell to go outside. He has quite a personality, everyone loves him. When he first meets someone, it takes about a minute for him to investigate, and then he has a new best friend. I do think it helps every pup to get out and be socialized as soon as possible, he started puppy training right away, and goes lots of places with the family. He is eager to learn and please. Also, he is very smart. When the bears come around the house, he hides behind his big brother, an 80 pound Labrador Retriever. 

Bear has been going out to the farm where I keep my horse since he was a puppy. He learned quickly to stay out of the way on trail rides. As he has aged, when I ride in the ring he hangs out on the sidelines, instead of running around. He gets along well with the four dogs at the barn. Bear has been taking agility classes for a year and loves it. He is quite fast and agile. 

Because he is so active, I take him to the groomer every 5-6 weeks to get trimmed in a puppy cut, no maintenance! In summary, I am thrilled that I chose a Havanese and so happy to have found Michele!"

Nancy Jones Asheville, NC

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I can't thank you enough for this wonderful puppy and the fabulous job that you do with all your pups, they are truly special.  I've read about the breed, but it is your work and effort in doing what it takes to perfect this breed and the puppies that you produce.  

Ted Levin Charleston, SC 

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"After retiring, I spent a year researching breeds and breeders for our next family dog. I am so fortunate to have found Michele at Mariposa Havanese! I have owned four other dogs, but never have I had such a positive dog purchasing experience as I had with Michele. Having only large dogs in the past, I had lots of questions about this small breed with which I was relatively unfamiliar. 

During my first phone call Michele not only answered all of my questions, but graciously invited me to her home to meet her Havanese family.  As I sat in her living room surrounded by several of her beautiful Havanese, I was able to quickly fall in love with this breed and see first-hand what a wonderful environment Michele provides for her dogs and puppies. She further explained her breeding philosophy to me. I was most impressed by the Carmen Battaglia Early Neurological Stimulation, Temperament Evaluations, and the early socialization she does with her puppies to ensure they get the very best start possible. This is the mark of a great breeder who truly cares about each puppy, and I am convinced this is why we have such a smart, well-adjusted puppy today. 

Michele's primary goal is clearly not to make fast money, but to create wonderful canine companions while preserving a lineage of which she can be extremely proud. After my first visit, I was invited to come back and visit any time and did indeed make several visits once the puppies were born. Michele was instrumental in helping me choose the best puppy for our family, blending knowledge of our life style with her expert observations of the personalities of the individual puppies.

 Michele kept in constant communication throughout the entire process, from sending weekly pictures and videos to recommendations of supplies and home preparation for a puppy to assistance finding a good local vet. When we picked up our puppy she took time to show us some grooming tips, and sent us home with a crate, a huge bag full of supplies, a notebook full of important information and tips, all his paperwork, and even a flash drive with all his pictures on it! 

On top of all that, our relationship didn't end the day we took our puppy home.  Michele continues to be a resource who welcomes us to call her with any questions or concerns, no matter how big or small. She sends emails encouraging the proper continuing training and socialization for creating a “good canine citizen." 

Thanks to Michele, we now have a sweet, smart, lively, loving ball of furry fun in our little Dash. We couldn't be more pleased or recommend a breeder relationship more highly than with Michele Nieberding at Mariposa Havanese."
Brenda and John Woodcock Charlotte, NC  

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On behalf of my husband and three children, I want to thank you for the amazing job you have done in producing a quality pet for our family. Changing from a big 'outdoor' dog family to a small indoor dog was a big change for me personally and I was a bit apprehensive to say the least. 

We spent endless hours researching the Havanese breed which met my hygienic and personality requirements for the children. Over the months that followed we learned an incredible amount of information about the care you take in raising healthy, social, and adaptable puppies. 

I can’t get over how great Pedro fits into our family and our unique situation. But it appears I am not alone, based on the responses from his siblings owners. The time and love you put into raising these puppies is invaluable for anyone looking to expand their family with a small companion. 

For our family, Pedro’s tolerance of our daughters constantly picking him up just to say hi and tell him how cute he is or to give him a hug and then there is our son who insists Pedro dances with him while holding his front paws, needless to say he gets a lot of random attention. Most impressively is his sensitivity to my husband who is a combat veteran and deals daily with many physical and mental health challenges. Pedro senses the changes in my husband whether it is PTSD related or increased pain, he responds as if he was a highly trained therapy dog. 

We are so grateful for the time and care you took with us in preparing for our new addition and the after care package you sent home with us has been invaluable. Please feel free to share our contact information with any perspective owners, we would be happy to talk with them about our experience being new Havanese owners, having young children with a small dog or any question they may have. And of course my husband's favorite part "he came potty trained to a litter box!" Thank you again Michele. 

The Hanson's Roanoke, VA

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Michele, Zoe is the sweetest puppy ever. She is taking over everybody at the office. We have a pen in the middle of the large front office. Everyone just loves her.  She is sleeping through the night and has not had one "accident " yet.  Thank you for providing me a REAL JOY. She is the BEST. 

Roland Mouchette Tuscaloosa, AL  

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Michele- I know I am full of questions and I cannot thank you enough for your patience and complete and detailed answers. I am so grateful I found you. Our whole family is so excited and impressed with your efforts to have a successful transition home for all the beautiful puppies. 
Heidi Nelson Aiken, SC