Snovali Shelties and Collies

Snovali Shelties is owned by Linda B. Kepner (me) and is dedicated to breeding sound dogs. I work with Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) and Collies in Conformation and Obedience. (eventually I also plan to do Herding and Agility) I also handle other breeds as the opportunity arises.

CH BluValley Macarena, "Mackie"

Finished his championship with me in three months flat!

Snovali came to be because I felt that I could contribute to two of my favorite breeds: Shelties and Keeshonden. I grew up with Shelties as a "kennel hand" for my mom and I obtained my first Keeshond from a close friend of mine in Green Bay, WI. Unfortunately, the Kees didn't turn out and she has been placed in a new home. I don't intend to get another for at least a few years. I currently own or co-own a few Shelties and a Collie. I am dedicated to breeding sound (in both mind and body) dogs to compete in both Conformation and Performance events.

All of the dogs living with me take turns in the house and are raised and treated with TLC. I feed a very high-quality food to my dogs, they have better nutrition than I do! I feed Bil Jac Select Adult Dog Food and I also sell some to people who are having a hard time finding it elsewhere. I try to get to shows at least 2 weekends a month but some months that gets turned into four!

I purchased my first Collie, a Smooth male from an excellent bloodline in 2002, but he didn't turn out so I got ANOTHER one shortly after that! This one was a female and she and I went to obedience classes to become more acquainted before stepping into the show ring together. She came a LONG way from how she behaved when she came to me. I bred her for a litter and got 12 stunning puppies on January 15, 2003... She was "retired" and placed in a loving pet home. Unfortunately, in 2004, shortly after being placed, she escaped their yard and was hit by a car. She was put to sleep a few weeks later due to complications from her accident that were not evident at the time. I grew out two of her puppies for show, a Rough male and a smooth female, the smooth female was placed in a wonderful pet home in May 2004. Her son, "James" started out pretty well in the show ring, he received his first point from a breeder judge at his second show out and got his first major at his first show as an adult (1 year and 9 days old). He also earned his AKC Rally Novice title in January 2005. Unfortunately, James didn't turn out quite like I wanted and I couldn't see myself ever using him at stud so I let him go to a wonderful pet home where he can be an only dog and be spoiled. My Collie days don't end there though, I picked up a lovely, yet small, Smooth female named "Misty" in September of 2004 and she was shown some but didn't have much success in the ring, although she did win her UKC Championship. Misty also enjoys Therapy work and visiting a local nursing home whenever my schedule allowed. Misty has since been placed in a pet home because she was a gray carrier and I didn't want to deal with that in a breeding program. I will be taking some time off from owning a Collie and may get another one in a few years.

Between my Mom and myself, we have 5 cats here also... Click here if you would like to see them...

A little bit about me: my name is Linda Kepner, I have been "in dogs" since I was in diapers. I graduated college with a BS degree in Informatics (Information Systems). a.k.a. COMPUTERS, but I am currently on the road as a professional handler. I found this to be a much more rewarding for me. I am also in the process of finding a "regular job" that will use both my Nursing and Computer training.

I am also very artistically inclined, I sew, draw, paint, do needlework, custom embroidery, pedigree research, web design, photography, and have also been known to cook on occasion (and I do it well also). My dogs take turns sleeping in the bed with me at night and are all TOTALLY spoiled (is there any other way to have them?).

An interesting view from our kitchen!