From canvas to kennel, in Les Éboulements.
Twelve years, two breeds, and one rule that has never changed: never more puppies than we can paint one by one.
It started with a dog who posed for my paintings.
Before the kennel, there was painting. Trained in visual arts, I moved to Les Éboulements for the Charlevoix light — the same light that Baie-Saint-Paul's artists have been painting for over a century. Praline, my first English Cocker Spaniel, was my model: she held still, patiently, while I worked out her ears in watercolour.
It was my veterinarian who suggested, after two years of health testing, that Praline deserved a litter. That first litter taught me the essential thing: the difference between a puppy handled every day and a puppy left alone in a pen doesn't wash out. You can still see it years later.
Twelve years on, the studio and the kennel are the same room. Litters are born among the canvases still drying, puppies discover the staircase before they leave, and I know each one well enough to say which family they'll join — and how to paint them.
Two breeds, and nothing else.
We don't diversify. Knowing two lines well beats skimming across eight.
English Cocker Spaniel
Affectionate, playful, always ready to follow their people from room to room. Sensitive by nature, they bond deeply and don't do well left alone for long stretches.
Good to know: their ears and coat need regular upkeep — weekly brushing at minimum. We talk about this openly before any reservation.
Brittany
Quick, athletic, with a remarkable nose. A sporting dog at heart: they need real exercise, not just a fenced yard, or their energy turns into mischief.
Good to know: sometimes born tailless or with a naturally short tail — a breed trait, not a flaw.
Why these two? Both are spaniel breeds with a fine nose and an expressive face — exactly the kind of face you want to paint. We don't produce any crosses: every litter is purebred, with papers.
What we screen for, and what we guarantee.
No breeding takes place before both parents have completed the screenings recommended for their breed. Certificates are handed to you directly — not summarized, not "available on request."
Hips
X-rays evaluated by a recognized body, on both parents, before breeding.
Heart and eyes
Annual cardiac exam and ophthalmologic exam by a veterinary specialist.
Genetic panel
DNA testing for hereditary conditions known in both breeds, to avoid pairing two carriers.
Two-year guarantee against serious hereditary illness, provided in writing. Replacement or refund, your choice.
Come see the studio before you decide.
We welcome families by appointment, even without a firm plan. You'll see where the puppies are born, meet the mothers, and ask the hard questions.
One piece of advice, even if you don't adopt from us: be wary of a breeder who offers to meet in a parking lot, or who won't show you the mother. It's the most reliable warning sign there is.