Schapendoes of Messy Hair Kennels

Messy Hair Kennels began in 2010 as a family venture shared between myself and my daughters. Together, we have dedicated ourselves to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the Schapendoes breed. Our goal has always been to support the growth and development of this rare and remarkable breed here in Canada, while sharing our passion with everyone we meet.

How Our Love for the Schapendoes Began

Our journey started in 2003 at the All About Pets Show, where we encountered the Schapendoes for the very first time. Among all the breeds present, the Schapendoes stood out—beautiful, goofy, playful, and irresistibly charming. We were instantly captivated. Later that year, we welcomed our first Schapendoes, Mugsy, into our home.

At the time, breeding was not yet part of our plan, but Mugsy drew attention everywhere he went. People were constantly asking about him and the breed, and we found ourselves becoming enthusiastic ambassadors without even realizing it. When Mugsy unexpectedly passed away in 2010, we knew we wanted another Schapendoes—but this time, we wanted to do more. We wanted to help preserve and promote this exceptional breed.

The Beginning of Messy Hair Kennels

Our kennel officially began when Quigley joined our family in 2010. His name, meaning “Messy Hair” in Gaelic, became the inspiration for our kennel name. In 2011, we welcomed Millie, and together they introduced us to the world of dog shows. We loved attending shows, meeting new people, and proudly answering the question we heard so often: “What kind of dog is that?”

Since then, we have continued to participate in conformation, agility, obedience, and rally events. Our dogs have brought home many accomplishments, but more importantly, they have helped introduce countless people to the Schapendoes breed.

Our Commitment to the Breed

Over the years, we have worked diligently to support the development and diversity of the Schapendoes in Canada. When planning our litters, we carefully select dogs from strong Canadian and European championship lines, always prioritizing health, temperament, and structure.

To help expand the genetic diversity of the breed, we have imported several Schapendoes from Europe. Dalia joined us from Slovenia in 2015, followed by Nora and Hazel from Sweden in 2018 and 2019. Most recently, Trinica arrived from Slovenia in 2023. We also have two wonderful males, Neo and Charlie, living with their families in Quebec—both imported from Sweden in 2019. When Millie retired in 2016, we proudly kept her daughter, Audrey, to continue her legacy within our home.

Raising Our Puppies

All of our puppies are raised in our family home, where they are immersed in daily life from the very beginning. We focus on early socialization, exposing them to a variety of people, environments, and experiences. Friends begin visiting the puppies at four weeks old, and they interact regularly with our adult dogs.

We also begin foundational training before they leave for their forever homes. Puppies learn to sleep in a crate at night, begin their potty‑training routines, and are introduced to basic commands. Each puppy is carefully evaluated to ensure the best possible match between puppy and family.

We Welcome You to Learn More

We are always happy to share our love for the Schapendoes with others. Anyone interested in learning more about the breed or meeting our dogs is welcome to visit by appointment or reach out by phone. We can talk endlessly about our Schapendoes—but we believe the dogs themselves are the best ambassadors for showing just how special this breed truly is.