Donna Connolly opens her personal journal: reflections on 30 years of whelping, late-night vigilance, heartbreaks, triumphs, and the enduring bond between humans and dogs on a Missouri farm.
Key Takeaways
- Routine is the real secret. Dogs thrive on predictable days far more than on fancy gear or expensive food.
- Watch more than you act. Most health problems announce themselves quietly, days before they become emergencies.
- Pets first, always. Every dog on our farm lives in the house, eats at the same time each day, and is known by name and by habit.
- Breeding is stewardship, not production. Decisions made for the dog's long-term health will always beat decisions made for convenience or profit.
- Knowing when to stop is wisdom. Retiring from Bullmastiffs after 30 years was one of the hardest and most responsible choices I have made.
When people hear that I have been raising dogs on five acres outside Monett, Missouri for three decades, they usually expect a story about puppies. There are plenty of those. But the longer I do this, the more I realize the real story is about the ordinary days: the 5 a.m. flashlight walk to check on a nursing mother, the smell of wet dog and coffee on a rainy morning, the quiet hours spent just sitting in the grass while a nervous young dog decides the world is safe after all.
This is my attempt to write down what those decades taught me. It is not a veterinary textbook, and nothing here replaces the advice of a good veterinarian. It is the journal of a farm woman who loves dogs, who has made plenty of mistakes, and who has learned, slowly and sometimes painfully, what actually matters. If you are thinking about welcoming a dog into your family, or you already have one and want to do right by them, I hope something here helps.
How It Started: A Farm, a Family, and a Bullmastiff
I did not set out to become a "breeder." I set out to have a good dog. Like many families in the Ozarks, we had animals around us as long as I can remember, and a dog on the porch was simply part of what made a house a home. My first Bullmastiff came into my life as a family companion, and she changed everything. She was calm, watchful, and tender with the children in a way that I had never seen in another animal. I was hooked on the breed, and on the idea that a dog could be both formidable and gentle.
Over the years the family grew, the dogs multiplied, and our five acres became a place where dogs were not locked away in a back building but lived as part of daily life. That decision, to raise our dogs as pets first, shaped everything that came after. A dog who lives among people learns people. A puppy who grows up hearing the dishwasher, the vacuum, children playing, a screen door slamming, and the occasional thunderstorm is a puppy who is far less likely to be frightened by the world later on.
I have written elsewhere about how the farm itself shapes confident dogs, and I will not repeat all of it here. But I want to say plainly: the land matters. Space to run, grass to roll in, a creek to splash at, and fresh air matter to a dog's mind as much as to their body. A tired, content dog is a good dog.
The Daily Rhythm of a Dog Farm
If you could follow me through a typical day, you would be surprised at how unglamorous it is. There is very little magic. There is repetition, and the repetition is the point.
Early Morning: Eyes First
Before I do anything else, I look at every dog. Not a glance, a real look. How do they stand up? Are their eyes bright? Is the coat lying right? Is anyone leaving food in the bowl who normally cleans it? Did anyone vomit overnight, or is there something unusual in the yard? The earlier you notice a change, the cheaper and kinder the solution tends to be. A dog who skips one meal might be fine. A dog who skips one meal and also looks tucked up in the belly deserves a phone call.
After the look comes fresh water, and then breakfast. Meals are measured, not guessed. We feed on a schedule because a schedule gives you information. If you free-feed, you will never know the day your dog quietly stopped eating.
Mid-Morning: Movement and Mind
Each dog gets exercise suited to their age, breed, and body. A young Maltese, a mature Bullmastiff, and a high-energy young dog need very different things. Giant breeds should not be pounded on hard surfaces as puppies, and flat-faced breeds must never be pushed to exercise in heat. I will say more on this later, but the principle is simple: exercise the dog in front of you, not the dog in your imagination.
Training happens in tiny sessions scattered through the day. Sit at the door. Wait for the bowl. Come when called. Walk politely on a leash. None of it is dramatic, and most sessions last just a few minutes. Short, cheerful, repeated lessons beat an hour-long drill every time.
Afternoon: Grooming, Cleaning, and Quiet Time
Afternoons are for the upkeep: brushing, nail trims, ear checks, teeth, and cleaning the yard and kennels. I treat grooming as a health exam in disguise. When my hands move over a dog every few days, I find lumps, hot spots, ticks, and tender places long before they become serious. If you take only one habit from this article, let it be this one: put your hands on your dog every single day.
Evening: The Quiet Check
Dogs settle in for the evening, and so do I. A last walk, a last look, and a final headcount. I have found that dogs, like children, are most likely to reveal that something is wrong at the end of the day, when things are quiet and they are tired. I keep my phone nearby, and I keep my veterinarian's emergency number on the refrigerator door, not buried somewhere in a drawer.
My Seven Golden Rules After 30 Years
If someone asked me to boil down three decades into a short list, this is what I would give them. These rules are not clever, and they are not new, but I have never found a situation where ignoring one of them made things better.
1. Choose the Breed for Your Life, Not for a Photograph
Every breed on our site is wonderful, and every one of them is wrong for somebody. A Bullmastiff is a loving, drooling, 100-plus-pound presence who needs a firm, kind owner and a home with room. A French Bulldog is a clown who snores, overheats, and wants to be in your lap. A Maltese is a tiny, dainty companion who needs daily grooming and gentle handling. A Bernedoodle is a big, cheerful, social dog who can be a joy for an active family. Matching the dog to the home is the single most important decision you will make, and the American Kennel Club's expert breeding and ownership advice is a good place to begin your research.
2. Health Is the Foundation, Not an Add-On
Every breed carries its own list of risks. French Bulldogs struggle with airways and spines. Bullmastiffs face bloat, joint disease, and a short life expectancy. Maltese often have dental trouble and delicate knees. Bernedoodles can inherit problems from both parent breeds. A responsible caretaker learns the list for their dog's breed and plans for it before problems appear, rather than after.
3. Routine Beats Intensity
A modest, consistent daily routine will outperform a heroic weekend of training and exercise followed by days of nothing. Dogs live in the rhythm of the day. Feed at the same time, walk at the same time, and sleep in the same place, and your dog will feel safe, which makes learning and calm behavior come much more easily.
4. Socialize Early and Gently
The weeks between birth and about sixteen weeks are the most important window in a dog's life for learning that the world is a safe place. In my experience, a puppy needs to meet many kinds of people, hear many kinds of sounds, walk on many kinds of surfaces, and experience many kinds of gentle handling, all in a way that is positive and never overwhelming. A frightened puppy who is pushed too hard can learn the wrong lesson. Gentle and gradual wins.
5. Never Stop Learning
I have raised dogs for thirty years, and I still learn something new every season. Veterinary medicine moves forward. Nutrition research evolves. Training methods improve. I read, I ask questions, and I ask my veterinarian a lot of them. The day you believe you know everything is the day a dog teaches you otherwise.
6. Be Honest, Even When It Is Hard
Honesty is the rule I care most about. Be honest about what a breed needs. Be honest about what you can afford. Be honest when a dog is not a good fit for a home, and be honest with yourself when the time comes to ask for help. In this business, a comfortable lie can hurt a dog for the rest of their life.
7. Remember That They Are Family
The most important rule is the one I started with. Our dogs are our pets first. They sleep in the house. They know our voices. They grieve when one of their own is gone, and so do we. When you treat a dog as a member of the family, many difficult decisions get much simpler.
Lessons from the Whelping Box
Nothing teaches humility like a whelping box at two in the morning. Over the years I have been present at many births, and I can tell you honestly that every one is different. Some are smooth and quiet. Some are long and worrying. Some end in a phone call to the emergency veterinarian and a drive through the dark.
What I have learned is that preparation is everything. Before a litter arrives, I have a clean, warm, quiet space ready. I have my veterinarian's number and the number of a backup emergency clinic written down. I have a kit with clean towels, a heating source, a scale, and the supplies my vet has told me to keep on hand. And I have a plan for the moment when things do not go as expected, which is the most important item on the list.
The first weeks of a puppy's life are a delicate time. Puppies cannot regulate their own body temperature, so warmth is critical. They need to nurse regularly, and weighing them daily tells you very quickly whether all of them are getting what they need. Mothers need rest, good food, fresh water, and a calm environment. I keep visitors to a minimum for the first few weeks. Not because visitors are bad, but because new mothers deserve peace and puppies deserve protection from infection while their immune systems are still developing.
I will also be honest about the emotional side. Not every puppy survives, no matter how careful you are. Anyone who raises dogs long enough will face loss. What I have learned is to grieve honestly and to learn from each loss without being crushed by it. Our dogs do not need a perfect caretaker. They need a caring, observant, honest one.
Raising Confident, Well-Mannered Dogs
A confident dog is a safe dog and a happy dog. Confidence does not come from harsh correction or from coddling. It comes from a series of small, successful experiences, repeated over time, in the company of a calm and consistent human.
On our farm, young dogs learn about the world gradually. They hear the tractor from a distance, then closer. They meet visiting children, one at a time, and are rewarded for being polite. They walk through the yard, across gravel, over bridges, through tall grass. They learn that a closed door will open, that a crate is a safe place, and that being alone for a short time is perfectly fine and always ends with a happy reunion.
I do not believe in forcing a nervous dog into a frightening situation. When a young dog is worried, I go slowly, increase the distance, and reward calm behavior. When the dog is relaxed, I move a little closer. This is slower than "just getting it over with," but it builds a dog who trusts the human at the other end of the leash, and that trust is worth more than any trick.
Basic manners matter too. A well-mannered dog is a dog who gets invited places, who is welcome in a home with visitors, and who is far less likely to be surrendered to a shelter. I teach sit, down, stay, come, and polite leash walking. I teach dogs to wait at doors, to take food gently, and to settle on a mat. None of this is difficult, but all of it must be taught consistently.
Everyday Health and Nutrition
People often ask me for the "best" dog food. The honest answer is that I do not believe there is one. What matters is that a food is complete and balanced for the dog's life stage, that the dog does well on it, and that it is fed in the right amount. A lean dog lives longer than an overweight dog. That is not an opinion. It is one of the most consistently supported findings in canine health, and it is one of the easiest things an owner can control.
Ask your veterinarian about the right food and portion for your particular dog. Large and giant breeds in particular have special needs while they are growing, and feeding a puppy too much or too fast can lead to joint and bone problems. Small breeds, on the other hand, can be prone to low blood sugar when they are very young, so tiny puppies need frequent, small meals.
Beyond food, I put a high value on routine veterinary care. Annual examinations, appropriate vaccinations, parasite prevention, and regular dental care are not luxuries. They are the quiet foundation that keeps small problems from becoming large ones. Dental disease in particular is one of the most undertreated problems in dogs, and it affects far more than the mouth.
I also keep a few simple things in mind about safety on a farm. Keep fencing secure and check it often. Know what plants and chemicals around your property are toxic to dogs. Keep antifreeze, rodent poison, and fertilizers well out of reach. Be careful in heat, and never leave a dog in a parked vehicle. Always have fresh water and shade available. These are boring precautions, and they save lives.
Seasons on the Farm
The Ozarks have four distinct seasons, and each one brings its own tasks and risks.
Spring is for fresh starts: parasite prevention goes into full swing, mud gets tracked in, and puppies are born. It is also when I check fences for winter damage.
Summer is about heat. Hot, humid Missouri afternoons are dangerous for every dog, and especially for flat-faced and giant breeds. We exercise early and late, provide plenty of shade and water, and keep dogs indoors in the air conditioning during the hottest part of the day. Heatstroke can kill quickly, so I treat a hot afternoon as seriously as any other emergency.
Autumn is cool and comfortable, and the dogs love it. It is a good time to review everyone's health, update vaccinations, and enjoy long walks.
Winter brings ice, cold winds, and a reminder that small and short-coated dogs need warm shelter and sometimes a sweater. Paws need checking for ice and salt, and water bowls must be checked often so they do not freeze.
Knowing When to Stop: Retiring from Bullmastiffs
This is the part of my story that people ask about most, and it is not easy to write. For thirty years I raised Bullmastiffs, and I will love the breed until the day I die. But there came a time when I had to be honest about what I was physically able to do.
A Bullmastiff can weigh well over a hundred pounds. A mother in labor, a puppy that needs to be lifted into a vehicle, an adult dog who needs emergency help: all of these demand strength, stamina, and quick reaction that I cannot promise to provide forever. Continuing to breed a giant breed when I could no longer care for them as they deserved would not have been loyalty to the breed. It would have been a betrayal of it.
So I stopped. It was a painful decision, and I cried over it. But I have never regretted it. If there is one lesson here for anyone who works with animals, it is this: the dogs' needs come before your pride. Responsible stewardship includes recognizing your own limits, and being willing to change course when those limits change.
That same honesty is why today I focus on smaller breeds. French Bulldogs, Maltese, and Bernedoodles are dogs I can handle safely and give the full attention they deserve. I would rather do a few things well than many things poorly.
Faith, Family, and the Idea of Stewardship
We are a Christian family, and our faith is woven into how we care for animals. It is not something I use as a marketing device. It is simply who we are. The Bible's book of Proverbs says that "the righteous care for the needs of their animals", and I have taken that line to heart. For me, caring for a dog is not a transaction. It is a responsibility.
In practice, this means honesty, patience, and humility. It means treating every animal, from the smallest Maltese to the largest Bullmastiff, as a creature that deserves dignity. It means making decisions that put the animal's welfare ahead of convenience. And it means being honest with other families about what a dog needs, even when the honest answer is not what they hoped to hear.
I have written separately and in more detail about how these values shape our work. If you would like to read more, I invite you to see The Ethics of Animal Husbandry: Why Christian Family Values Guide Everything We Do. Whether or not you share our faith, I believe the underlying principles of honesty, patience, and responsibility are ones that every dog owner can use.
Mistakes I Have Made (So You Do Not Have To)
Anyone who tells you they have never made a mistake with their dogs is either lying or has not had them very long. Here are a few of mine.
- Waiting too long to call the vet. Early on, I assumed some problems would pass on their own. A few did. Some did not, and those taught me a hard lesson. These days, if my gut says something is wrong, I call.
- Over-socializing a shy puppy. I once pushed a nervous puppy into too many new situations too quickly and made her more fearful. Slow and gentle is always better.
- Skimping on routine. There were seasons when life got busy and routines slipped, and the dogs let me know in their own ways. Consistency is not optional.
- Underestimating heat. A mild-looking day can still be dangerous for a flat-faced dog. I learned to respect the weather.
- Ignoring my own limits. I kept going with giant breeds longer than I perhaps should have before admitting that it was time to change. Honest self-assessment is part of the job.
Advice for New and Prospective Dog Owners
If you are considering getting a dog, here is my practical advice, boiled down from three decades of experience.
- Do your homework. Read about the breed, talk to owners, and visit if you can. Be honest about your lifestyle, your budget, and the time you have available.
- Plan for the full lifespan. A dog is a commitment of ten to fifteen years. Think about how your life might change over that time and whether you will still be able to care for a dog through all of it.
- Budget for veterinary care. Routine care, emergencies, and aging dogs all cost money. Consider pet insurance or a dedicated savings fund.
- Prepare your home. Dog-proof it before the dog arrives. Set up a crate or safe space, buy appropriate food and toys, and find a veterinarian ahead of time.
- Start training immediately. A new puppy or adult dog is learning from the very first hour. Be consistent, patient, and positive.
- Find a good community. Veterinarians, trainers, breed clubs, and experienced owners are all valuable resources. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
And if you have a question about a particular breed or situation, you are welcome to ask me directly. I read every message, and I answer as many as I can.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much exercise does a dog really need?
It depends on breed, age, and health. A young, energetic dog may need an hour or more of activity a day, while a senior toy dog may be happy with a few short strolls. Watch your dog: a well-exercised dog is relaxed and content at home. A dog who is destructive or restless is often telling you they need more physical or mental activity.
Should dogs live indoors or outdoors?
On our farm, every dog lives indoors as part of the family. Dogs are social animals, and they thrive with human contact. Outdoor time is wonderful, but extreme weather, loneliness, and safety are all risks for dogs who live outside full time.
When should I start training a puppy?
The day they arrive. Start with simple, gentle lessons like house training, crate comfort, and name recognition. Formal classes can begin once your veterinarian says your puppy has had enough vaccinations to be safe around other dogs.
How do I know if my dog is in pain?
Dogs hide pain well. Look for subtle signs: reluctance to jump or climb stairs, changes in appetite, hiding, excessive licking of one area, panting at rest, or a change in temperament. If you notice any of these, call your veterinarian.
Why are you no longer raising Bullmastiffs?
Simply put, the physical demands of a giant breed grew beyond what I could safely manage. I would rather step away from a breed I love than risk not giving the dogs the care they deserve.
Are puppies currently available?
Not at this time. This site is now a place to share what I have learned. If you have questions about a breed or about dog care in general, please use the Ask Donna page.
Final Thoughts: What Thirty Years Taught Me
If I could sum up three decades in a few sentences, I would say this: dogs ask very little of us and give almost everything in return. They want a routine, a warm place, honest care, and someone who pays attention. Most of what I have learned is simply how to be that someone a little better each year.
I am still learning. I expect to be learning until my last day on this farm. And if something in these pages helps one dog get a better life, then every early morning, every late night, and every tear has been worth it.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring about dogs. If you would like to continue exploring, start with the ethics of animal husbandry, or write to me through Ask Donna. I would love to hear your story, too.