ABOUT US

whelp. values the unique qualities of each individual dog breed and each individual owner.

our story

"Hi, I'm Courtney Smith - the founder of Whelp. A little bit about me, I was a dog breed "nerd" from a young age and took a deep interest in the unique qualities of dog breeds. Throughout my early adult life, I had the privilege of learning about a wide variety of different dogs through family dogs, personal dogs, and meeting and speaking with breeders at several local AKC dog shows.

When I started Whelp in 2019, my initial goal was to build a central hub for breeders to showcase their available puppies. Over time, the idea morphed into something I felt was more valuable for the breeders, their dogs, AND the hopeful owners looking to bring home a puppy. I had learned that when it comes to dog breeding, quality and compatibility is the most important thing for the long-term benefit of the dogs and owners.

My hope is that Whelp will grow into a community that puts quality over quantity every time. Bringing value to both dog owners and dog breeders by prioritizing the individual needs of dog breeds and the people who love them.”

- Courtney Smith [Pictured Right with her Lagotto Romagnolo "Northwest’s Winning Colors"]

"people deserve to have an enjoyable relationship with their dog. meeting your dog's needs should fit right into your lifestyle, not take away from or limit your lifestyle."

we value the diversity of dog breeds

Not every person and dog will be a perfect fit for each other.
People have needs. Dogs have needs. It can be all too easy for someone to bring home a dog, just to find out the hard way that this adorable new puppy is not a good fit for their lifestyle. As the best dog breeders already know, what a dog will need to live a fulfilled life is generally predictable based on their breed.

informed consent is our priority

Our goal as a company is to educate and inform people about dog breeds. Many people outside of the professional dog world don't realize that often times the unique behaviors, preferences, and habits they have observed in dogs are heavily influenced by the dog's breed. The internet and social media are jam-packed with information about dog breeds, which often leaves this group of people overwhelmed and conflicted. To make confident decisions, we need to be well-informed.