Photo by Kim Nowatzke: Nevin Neagu,holding his 10-month-old son, Kealan, sits with his mother Jeanette Neagu, who holds her Bichon Frise named "Chipper." English creme golden retriever "Canuck" sits in front. The Neagu Family operates Takoda Dogs, a family breeder of the two breeds of dogs.
By KIM NOWATZKE - For The News-Dispatch Thursday, March 3, 2016 MICHIGAN CITY
This Michigan City business takes the expression, “A dog is man’s best friend” to heart. It’s even part of its name. Takoda (which means “friend to all” in the Sioux language) Dogs began as a quality dog breeding business 34 years ago by George and Jeanette Neagu. Today, this family-owned operation continues its commitment to the mission of breeding and raising bichon frise and English creme golden retriever puppies to truly be friends to all.
Jeanette’s love for the Bichon Frise began when she read a Life magazine article on the breed; bichons were first bred in the United States in 1956. She and George became the proud owners of their first bichon in 1979. One of the benefits of owning a bichon is the fact that they don’t shed and often can live with people who are allergic to dogs.
“I knew if I got a dog, the dog I would want to have would be a bichon, and I knew if I got a dog, I would want to be a breeder,” Jeanette shared. “I’ve learned a lot since then. There’s a lot to being a breeder.”
As son Nevin grew older he became interested in English creme golden retrievers. The family traveled to Canada to purchase "Canuck" in 2006, and Takoda Dogs added the breed to their business. Compared to the American golden retriever, the English creme golden retriever is know for its darkly pigmented nose and black eyes in contrast to a very light creme coat. In addition, it has shorter legs, a stockier body, larger bones, wider shoulders and a blockier head. “I wanted a pet and I thought it would be a good fit for me,” Nevin explained. He emphasized “how critical it is to get a dog from a breeder that meets standards.” “It’s important to show that you are within standards and not breeding unhealthy dogs,” added Jeanette.She recommends that anyone searching for the right puppy should “make sure the parents have health clearances. This gives you the best chance that your dogs are healthy.”
At Takoda Dogs, the heart, eyes, hips and elbows are vet-checked and certified for both male and female dogs. For example, a canine ophthalmologist at North Central Veterinary Emergency Center at Purdue University-North Central inspects their dogs’ eyes and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certifies their hips and elbows.
“You can end up spending thousands on medical bills if your dog inherits a disorder which could have been avoided if the breeder did proper health clearances,” Nevin pointed out. As explained on their website, www.takodadogs.com, “While there are dogs available that cost less, the cost of hip replacement, or years of treatment for allergies often add to the overall expense. Dogs born to healthy dogs with certified hips have a 97 percent chance of having healthy hips. Those born to dogs whose hips are not certified are showing a 37 percent rate of hip dysplasia.”
Takoda Dogs are also bred for appearance; only dogs that meet high standards for their breed are chosen. “By selecting dogs from championship lineage, we are not necessarily producing show dogs; by making such selections we can be sure your puppy will look like an outstanding example of the breed,” the website continued. Typically, Takoda Dog’s bichons produce two litters a year and its English creme golden retrievers are bred no more than two or three times in their lifetime. This year, litters of goldens are expected on March 26 and mid April, a rarity for two litters to be born at Takoda Dogs so close together. A bichon litter was just born on January 2, 2016.
“Our dogs are usually sold by the time they are born,” Nevin commented.
It’s of prime importance which homes their puppies are going to, so Takoda Dogs doesn’t allow electronic sales without first meeting the future owners (or in extreme distances, conducting a phone interview).
And, unlike some other breeders, Takoda Dogs adheres to strict standards when it comes to the care and socialization of their dogs. Bred in a family atmosphere, the dogs used for breeding are treated as family members and cherished pets.c“We are not into dogs living their lives in kennels and crates,” Jeanette stressed. “We have a strong commitment to the quality of life for our dogs.” Jeanette recommended that those looking for the right puppy for their family should “make sure that the parents’ dispositions are proper.” “We breed for disposition, not just physical traits,” added Nevin.
A customer who purchases a puppy can claim full ownership with an agreement, if they are not interested in breeding their dog with Takoda Dogs in the future, to spay or neuter their pet. The breeder also offers a co-ownership agreement where the puppy is purchased at a reduced fee and the customer receives payment for allowing their female dog to produce litters or their male dog to father puppies. The mother dog arrives at the Neagues about a week before she is due with the puppies and leaves once they are weaned at about five weeks.
Takoda Dogs’ first Golden "Canuck" lives along with her daughter "Wrigley" at Nevin’s home. Canuck’s other daughter "Bailly" lives with George and Jeanette’s other son Eric. Another daughter of Canuck "Mattie" lives with George and Jeanette. Since they began breeding more than three decades ago, Takoda Dogs has had the same family of Bichons. Grandmother "Tia" and grandson "Chipper" are the current resident dogs. An eight-week-old Bichon female puppy will be joining the family this week.
“We’re very pleased that we’ve gotten in high-quality breeding,” emphasized Nevin.
For more information about Takoda Dogs, visit www.takodadogs.com, call 219-873-0431, email jgneagu@yahoo.com or look up Friends of Takoda Dogs on Facebook.
This Michigan City business takes the expression, “A dog is man’s best friend” to heart. It’s even part of its name. Takoda (which means “friend to all” in the Sioux language) Dogs began as a quality dog breeding business 34 years ago by George and Jeanette Neagu. Today, this family-owned operation continues its commitment to the mission of breeding and raising bichon frise and English creme golden retriever puppies to truly be friends to all.
Jeanette’s love for the Bichon Frise began when she read a Life magazine article on the breed; bichons were first bred in the United States in 1956. She and George became the proud owners of their first bichon in 1979. One of the benefits of owning a bichon is the fact that they don’t shed and often can live with people who are allergic to dogs.
“I knew if I got a dog, the dog I would want to have would be a bichon, and I knew if I got a dog, I would want to be a breeder,” Jeanette shared. “I’ve learned a lot since then. There’s a lot to being a breeder.”
As son Nevin grew older he became interested in English creme golden retrievers. The family traveled to Canada to purchase "Canuck" in 2006, and Takoda Dogs added the breed to their business. Compared to the American golden retriever, the English creme golden retriever is know for its darkly pigmented nose and black eyes in contrast to a very light creme coat. In addition, it has shorter legs, a stockier body, larger bones, wider shoulders and a blockier head. “I wanted a pet and I thought it would be a good fit for me,” Nevin explained. He emphasized “how critical it is to get a dog from a breeder that meets standards.” “It’s important to show that you are within standards and not breeding unhealthy dogs,” added Jeanette.She recommends that anyone searching for the right puppy should “make sure the parents have health clearances. This gives you the best chance that your dogs are healthy.”
At Takoda Dogs, the heart, eyes, hips and elbows are vet-checked and certified for both male and female dogs. For example, a canine ophthalmologist at North Central Veterinary Emergency Center at Purdue University-North Central inspects their dogs’ eyes and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certifies their hips and elbows.
“You can end up spending thousands on medical bills if your dog inherits a disorder which could have been avoided if the breeder did proper health clearances,” Nevin pointed out. As explained on their website, www.takodadogs.com, “While there are dogs available that cost less, the cost of hip replacement, or years of treatment for allergies often add to the overall expense. Dogs born to healthy dogs with certified hips have a 97 percent chance of having healthy hips. Those born to dogs whose hips are not certified are showing a 37 percent rate of hip dysplasia.”
Takoda Dogs are also bred for appearance; only dogs that meet high standards for their breed are chosen. “By selecting dogs from championship lineage, we are not necessarily producing show dogs; by making such selections we can be sure your puppy will look like an outstanding example of the breed,” the website continued. Typically, Takoda Dog’s bichons produce two litters a year and its English creme golden retrievers are bred no more than two or three times in their lifetime. This year, litters of goldens are expected on March 26 and mid April, a rarity for two litters to be born at Takoda Dogs so close together. A bichon litter was just born on January 2, 2016.
“Our dogs are usually sold by the time they are born,” Nevin commented.
It’s of prime importance which homes their puppies are going to, so Takoda Dogs doesn’t allow electronic sales without first meeting the future owners (or in extreme distances, conducting a phone interview).
And, unlike some other breeders, Takoda Dogs adheres to strict standards when it comes to the care and socialization of their dogs. Bred in a family atmosphere, the dogs used for breeding are treated as family members and cherished pets.c“We are not into dogs living their lives in kennels and crates,” Jeanette stressed. “We have a strong commitment to the quality of life for our dogs.” Jeanette recommended that those looking for the right puppy for their family should “make sure that the parents’ dispositions are proper.” “We breed for disposition, not just physical traits,” added Nevin.
A customer who purchases a puppy can claim full ownership with an agreement, if they are not interested in breeding their dog with Takoda Dogs in the future, to spay or neuter their pet. The breeder also offers a co-ownership agreement where the puppy is purchased at a reduced fee and the customer receives payment for allowing their female dog to produce litters or their male dog to father puppies. The mother dog arrives at the Neagues about a week before she is due with the puppies and leaves once they are weaned at about five weeks.
Takoda Dogs’ first Golden "Canuck" lives along with her daughter "Wrigley" at Nevin’s home. Canuck’s other daughter "Bailly" lives with George and Jeanette’s other son Eric. Another daughter of Canuck "Mattie" lives with George and Jeanette. Since they began breeding more than three decades ago, Takoda Dogs has had the same family of Bichons. Grandmother "Tia" and grandson "Chipper" are the current resident dogs. An eight-week-old Bichon female puppy will be joining the family this week.
“We’re very pleased that we’ve gotten in high-quality breeding,” emphasized Nevin.
For more information about Takoda Dogs, visit www.takodadogs.com, call 219-873-0431, email jgneagu@yahoo.com or look up Friends of Takoda Dogs on Facebook.