Welcome 

We believe in raising family-ready puppies that are well-socialised and well-adjusted to everyday life. We begin their early development and socialisation from as young as one week of age, giving them the best possible start in becoming confident, well-rounded companions.
 

Week 1-2 
Early Scent Introduction (ESI) involves exposing puppies to a variety of different scents and aromas, such as herbs, animal fur, essential oils, feathers, and other natural materials. This early stimulation helps develop the puppies' olfactory senses and supports the healthy development of their nervous system, encouraging confidence, curiosity, and adaptability from an early age.

Week 2-3

Once the puppies' eyes and ears have opened, we gradually begin introducing a variety of toys into the whelping box. These include soft toys with bells inside, as well as toys made from different materials and textures, such as hard and soft plastics, leather, natural sisal, and wood.

We also introduce baby keyboards and other interactive toys. As the puppies climb over them, they activate lights, sounds, and music, gently exposing them to unexpected noises in a fun and positive way. This helps build their confidence and encourages them to adapt to new sounds and experiences from an early age.

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Week 3-4 ​

At around 3–4 weeks of age, our puppies are moved into a spacious puppy pen in our living room, positioned next to a large window overlooking the front of our property. From here, they are able to observe everyday outdoor activities, including our cars and garden machinery such as the lawn mower, tractor, grass trimmer, chainsaw, and other power tools while they are in use.

The puppy pen is set up between our living room and kitchen, allowing the puppies to become familiar with the normal sights and sounds of a busy household. They are naturally exposed to everyday noises such as the television, vacuum cleaner, radio, kitchen appliances, cooking, mopping, and general family life. This helps them build confidence and prepares them to settle more easily into their future homes.

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Week 4-6

At this age we begin to introduce play equiptment to the puppy pen, for example a small set of steps, a wobbly board, a seesaw and a yoga pillows etc to stimulate their brains and improve their nervus response to these movements. 

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Week 5- 9 

Starting at around 5 weeks of age, and weather permitting, our puppies begin exploring their outdoor puppy play area. The main area is covered with natural grass, with access to sections of concrete to expose them to a variety of surfaces. The play area also includes a sheltered, weatherproof section, providing protection from the sun on hot days and a dry space during wet weather.

Outdoors, we continue to expand the puppies' experiences by introducing a wide range of enrichment activities and novel objects. These include tunnels, ball pits, puppy-safe paddling pools, larger toys, balloons, umbrellas, mirrors, baby prams, bicycles, bells, and many other everyday items. They also have regular, supervised interactions with our adult dogs and cats, helping them develop confidence, curiosity, and appropriate social skills in a safe and positive environment. At around 5 weeks of age, we begin introducing the puppies to new people as part of their ongoing socialisation. This is also when we start arranging visits with their prospective families, allowing them to meet the puppies, begin building a bond, and experience their personalities before they go to their new homes.

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At around 6½–7 weeks of age, the puppies enjoy their first car rides alongside their mother as they begin attending important veterinary appointments, including microchipping and DOK eye examinations. These early journeys help them become familiar with travelling by car in a calm and positive environment. At this stage we also start training them to walk on a lead and harness. 

From this point onwards, we continue taking the puppies on regular car rides each week, helping them build confidence and ensuring they are comfortable with travelling before they leave for their new homes.

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Moving out 

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By the time the puppies have reached 9 weeks, they will have been

• Microchipped

• had their first vaccinations

• gotten a Veterinary Health Certificate

• had a DOK/ECVO Eye test 

• they also receive a puppy package with food, a blanket, a toy, treats and chews 

• They will receive a FCI /VDH / CASD Pedigree 

• EU Travel Pet Passport 

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*As part of our commitment to every Thorn & Thistle puppy we breed, our contract includes the option for owners to return their dog to us for holiday boarding or emergency care whenever needed. We believe this provides peace of mind for our puppy families, knowing their dog can always return to a familiar, safe, and loving environment.*

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*We also offer our puppy families the opportunity to bring their Thorn & Thistle dog back to us for assistance with coat maintenance and grooming. Whether it's routine brushing, coat care, or advice on maintaining the breed's beautiful coat, we are always happy to help.*

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*We promise to take back our puppies at any stage in their life, regardless of the situation.*

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Who is behind Thorn & Thistle Shepherds?

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My name is Sophie Smillie. I’m originally from Scotland but have lived in the south of Germany for almost 10 years now. I live with my fiancé and our five dogs — four Aussies and one Small Münsterländer — in the mountains of Baden-Württemberg.

We live in a very rural setting, with no direct neighbours and plenty of woodland surrounding us. It’s the perfect environment for our dogs and a big part of what inspired me to start Thorn & Thistle Shepherds.

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Why the name Thorn & Thistle Shepherds? Because Scotland will always be a part of my soul and is woven into alot of the decisions we make. We try to take one annual holiday with our dogs, and ofcourse, if possible we always try to make this a Scotland Holiday. 

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Myself, pictured below with 3 of our dogs, in Scotland in 2023 and 2024 (Red merle - Phoenix, Blue merle - Romee and Small Münsterländer- Oslo)