Australian Shepherd

After approximately twenty years, I stepped away from competitive horse riding. Horses remained a hobby, but together with my son Jeffrey, I decided to turn my passion for Australian Shepherds into my profession.

Over the years, I continued to explore the breed's history, original purpose and bloodlines. This journey brought me into contact with breeders throughout the United States and Europe, giving me the opportunity to visit kennels, exchange knowledge and gain valuable experience.

Our dogs come from carefully selected, proven bloodlines with strong connections to the breed's origins. Temperament, stability, health and versatility have always been essential considerations in our breeding programme.

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Not Just Owning Dogs, but Living With Them

Anyone visiting Dolci Angeli will quickly notice that our dogs are an important part of our everyday lives.

They live freely in our home, have plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors and are accustomed to living together. They play, communicate, seek each other's company and each have their own unique personalities and preferences.

And yes, sometimes things get quite lively.

But there is also peace and quiet.

A great deal of it, in fact.

Over the years, I have learned that an Australian Shepherd does not need to be constantly entertained to be a happy dog.

Everywhere we look, we read about how much exercise, training and mental stimulation this breed supposedly needs. Of course, the Australian Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog, with intelligence, energy and a strong desire to work alongside people.

But not everyone has forty sheep in their backyard.

Most Australian Shepherds today live as part of a family. And that is exactly where they should feel comfortable and at ease.

A dog does not need a daily schedule filled with activities. Not every walk needs to become a training session, and not every moment needs to be filled with something to do.

A dog also needs to learn that sometimes, absolutely nothing is happening.

That does not mean that upbringing and guidance are unimportant. Quite the opposite.

For me, clarity, boundaries, trust and a natural daily routine form the foundation of a happy life together.

I believe we sometimes make raising dogs far more complicated than it needs to be. We become so focused on everything we think we should teach them that we almost forget to simply enjoy living with them.

A dog is not a project. A dog is part of your family.

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Temperament Doesn't Begin With Training

Throughout the years, I have watched countless Australian Shepherds grow and develop, each with their own temperament, personality and individual characteristics.

This experience has taught me just how important it is to look beyond appearance, colour or performance when breeding dogs.

The temperament and emotional stability of the parents matter enormously.

Good upbringing and guidance are essential, but not everything can be changed through training.

That is why, at Dolci Angeli, we aim to breed healthy, stable and sociable Australian Shepherds and Miniature American Shepherds that can thrive in everyday family life.

Dogs that enjoy adventures with their people, but are equally happy spending a quiet day at home.

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Our Way of Life

Our days revolve around our dogs, but that does not mean we spend every waking moment trying to entertain them.

They go outside, play together, explore their surroundings and eventually settle down again. Meanwhile, everyday life simply carries on.

We believe it is important to give our dogs the freedom to be dogs, with opportunities for social interaction, independence and clear boundaries.

We enjoy walks, trips to the forest or the seaside, and the simple everyday moments we share.

It is often during those ordinary moments that you truly get to know a dog, and that your dog learns to understand you.

This way of living together also forms the foundation of Canine Compass, my personal philosophy on understanding and guiding Australian Shepherds and Miniature American Shepherds.

Not complicated training programmes, but learning to observe, understand and appreciate the dog standing in front of you.

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Getting to Know Dolci Angeli

To respect our dogs' daily routine and peaceful environment, we welcome visitors by appointment only during our Saturday introduction afternoons.

During your visit, you will have the opportunity to meet our dogs, discover how we live with them and ask any questions you may have about the breed, upbringing and our approach.

Our dogs are divided into smaller groups during visits, ensuring a pleasant and relaxed experience for both people and dogs.

We hope our website will not only introduce you to our dogs, but also offer you a different perspective on life with an Australian Shepherd.

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Because ultimately, for us, it is about much more than breeding dogs.

It is about the life we share with them.

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Warm regards,

Francisca & Jeffrey

Dolci Angeli – Aussies & Mini's