If you’d like to share your Cantope story, please send it using the form at the bottom of the page

---

Cantopes Ravin’ about Raven

Hi Peter and Diane, greetings from Calgary. I can’t believe Raven will be 2 in May. Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful addition Raven has made to our family. She’s grown into the most devoted dog pal anyone could ask for and is so willing to please. You picked the right puppy for us Diane, she absolutely LOVES to run and retrieve her ball or catch her Frisbee and has learned more tasks than any standard poodle I’ve ever known. She can count to three (barking), helps remove your socks or gloves if you ask her to ‘tug’, knows to ‘shake’ with her right paw, ‘wave’ with her left paw, and will ‘bow’ to name a few. She finished top of the class in puppy school and was the quickest to find her way out of the maze. You can tell she’s still an adolescent and ‘obedience’ reminders are ongoing. She’s excellent off leash and comes every time even with the distraction of other dogs. I call her tail her ‘happy flag’ as it never stops wagging.  She’s been extremely healthy, other than the routine stuff, no concerns at all. You do a terrific job with your poodle family, thanks again for sending Raven our way!
Best regards, Susan Lucas (2007)

---

We were so pleased with our first Cantope poodle that we ordered a second one two years later. He is a reba/watson pup. Return business is the highest compliment we can pay a breeder. Enjoy your Cantope puppy. (Reference sent by Cantope customer for a potential customer 2005)

---

My name is Laurie and I live in Ottawa. I purchased a puppy last week from Cantope – one of the apricot puppies from Reba and Watson. I was owned by a black standard poodle for 11 years until his death at Christmas. I wanted another standard, but wanted to do my research on which breeder thoroughly.

I have to say I had outstanding assistance from my vet on which breeder to go with for a standard pup for a pet. My vet wanted nothing but the best for my future puppy and requested that any potential breeders I thought of going with, send the genetic testing of the parents/grandparents to his office for him to look at. Several breeders I talked to either didn’t have ALL the genetic testing results that my vet wanted done, or wouldn’t send it to my vet (citing privacy issues). Several breeders did send the requested testing information to my vet, but Cantope came out miles ahead of everyone else.

I toured the Cantope facilities (along with other breeders) over the course of a month and was most impressed with the set-up at Cantope. The dogs were part of the family and were obviously well looked after and Peter didn’t hesitate to spend a long time talking to my husband and I about his breeding program. Don’t be mistaken, WE were being interviewed too. They want nothing but the best for their pups. After seeing the Cantope facilities, there was no other alternative. A Cantope poodle was what we wanted and nothing else would do.

I have to say that Cantope went out of their way to send all their testing results to my vet who approved them 100%. The only choice for me then was WHICH PUPPY ? ? ? ? We had six puppies to choose from and ANY of them would have been perfect for us as a pet. It was luck of the draw that we chose the pup we got. They all looked outstanding to me and I would have been thrilled to have any of the pups.

Please get one of their puppies – I can’t say enough good things about Cantope. I even telephoned Cantope for advice the day after we brought Java home and didn’t feel like I was imposing on them. Java is a bundle of energy and has our undying love and devotion. I stare at him for hours thinking how lucky I am to be owned by him.  (Reference sent by Cantope customer for a potential customer 2005)

---

Diane,

I want to thank you and your husband for the time and effort that you spent with us.  I had come to you because of the warranty that you had implied on your website.  An unconditional focus on customer service.

What we experienced was much more than that.  We saw an actual love from you for “you babies” as your husband likes to call them. This was evident in the small details you took to make us aware of the pups daily routine, provide food and water, toys, baby blanket and even that personal scarf.

You must have some “East Indian” influence on you because your “little girl” sure felt like she came home with a dowry to look after her every need.  The poodle care book, CD, leash, collar, doggie bone, and other guides for us very valued highly.

Your responsiveness to emails and calls was also exceptional. More than that you have stood behind your guarantee on an unconditional basis which speaks volumes for you. The real testament is when you go to see other breeders and can offer a basis of comparison.   You are clearly heads above most. My hat off to both you and your husband for the manner in which you conduct business, the way you keep your kennel and the exceptional temperament of your dogs.

I wish you the best of luck in your  endavours and will not hesitate to recommend you to others.  It’s a small world and I hope the word about you filters out.

Best Regards,
Joseph, Indira and Elizabeth Bazal (2005)

---

Hello, Diane and Pete,

Funny you should ask.  I was planning to send you an email this morning.

Gilli is a welcome addition to our family.  Our two boys just worship the ground he walks on.  He has been spending most of the weekdays with Dave at the office.  He has become the “offical greeter”.   Each night he takes turn sleeping in one of the boys’ bed.  In the evenings, we go for walks in the neighborhood.  He is so well behaved.

We are so pleased to have Gilli as part of our family.  I think he is happy to be here, too.  We love him so.

I plan to send you some photos of Gilli and boys.  Last week with the weather being nice, we were able to take some great photos outside.

All the best–
Kimberly Matthews Giandiletti (2006)

---

---

Peter and Diane,

I emailed Kerry right away with an invitation to meet Gilda. Even non-dog people love her! We haven’t taken any pictures recently – sorry! She’s huge, and will get groomed the day before her spay operation – maybe I can try to get a good picture then. Gilda is a delight to everyone, and really seems different now that she’s getting older. (She’s our first experience of  a puppy).

We continue to work on training with her every day, and the kids help too. An example of how responsive she is:  A couple of months ago, I was walking her by the river, off-leash, and some teenagers had a pepperoni pizza right out on a park bench. They also had a dog, that they didn’t seem to know what to do with. Anyway, Gilda starting walking over to sniff, and I asked her to “walk away”, and she walked right back to me, and didn’t go back to them once she’d had her little treat. Also, she seems to be a peacemaker in the dog park, and a lot of people say that their dog usually doesn’t play with anybody, except Gilda can get these dogs comfortable enough to play with her. She’s also adept at staying out of conflicts with other dogs, and seems to be very flexible in the way she plays with them. If they want to be chased, she chases, if they want to chase her, fine. Most want to wrestle, that’s fine too. She’s just really happy hanging out with any dog. And, of course, she’s extremely people-oriented too, which is one reason we’ve worked on the “walk-away” command so much, because there are a surprising number of adults who are afraid of all dogs.

Anyway, we will keep you posted on Gilda, and hope to meet Kerry soon.

Best regards,
Leah (2006)

---

---

Dear Diane and Peter,

I am writing this letter to let you know what a profound impact you have had on the lives of our family.

Tom and I have been visiting Cantope Kennels now for 2 and 1/2 years. From the very first visit, it was obvious to us how happy and healthy a home you have. I call it a home because, despite its being a business, it is very obvious to us that these dogs are “family”.

I remember clearly the first time you introduced us to an adult female. She walked daintily over to Tom, stood on her hind legs, and gently placed her paws on his shoulders (no mean feat, as Tom is 6 feet!). She looked him squarely in the eye as if to say “Nice to meet you”; she then returned to the floor and walked away. We were both astounded at her manners, and the almost human quality she displayed.

Unlike other breeders, you have an open door policy – we are welcome anytime, as you want your clients to see everything that’s going on, and while there is always a lot going on, Cantope Kennels is one of the most organized and well-run establishments I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Now to Dante, our pride and joy. Our red male came to us in March, and he has been an enormous blessing to us all. He is calm, loving, gentle, and a joy to have. He is extraordinarily well-behaved – it still comes as a shock that he has never chewed any of our furniture, as most pups tend to go through such a phase. Dante is an integral part of our family. He gets along famously with our 8 year old son, as he does with the children across the street and, indeed, all people. He plays beautifully with the dogs next door. Tom and I often look at each other and remark on our lives before Dante . . . and that it just wasn’t quite as rich as it is now.

The people who did the personality tests on Dante pegged him precisely. He has a cautious side to him – he is not the boldest of canines, but he is as laid back, as forgiving, and as loving as they stated.

I have watched Dante grow since he was a few weeks old, tumbling over his siblings in the pen you provide for your youngest puppies. I was floored the first time I realized that your young pups were residing in your livingroom. Nothing is too good for Cantope puppies!

I’ve watched you groom, Diane, and you are the master! You are firm, gentle, and loving, and despite the fact that grooming is not Dante’s favourite thing, he showers you with kisses, because you are his first “mom”, and he has never forgotten that! I’ve watched you discipline an uncooperative dog – your tone was calm but firm, as you knew his squirming on the table was a hazard to him. Everyone who works at Cantope is calm . . . and it’s obvious from the temperaments of your dogs that they are surrounded by even-tempered people.

I guess I could go on forever . . . I could talk about the extraordinary records Peter shows us when we want to know something about our dog . . . or his parents . . . or his parents’ parents. I could talk about the quality of the food you provide, the detailed instructions employees get regarding care and feeding of resident dogs, the routines you both provide, so each and every dog has a clean, happy, healthy environment.

Where I live, people are tired of hearing me gush about Peter and Diane and Cantope Kennels, but that’s only because they have no idea how incredible the people are who make Cantope what it is.

I have no interest in owning anything other than a Cantope poodle, and we are already in the process of discussing a new Cantope addition to our family.

Sincerely,

Sonya Hutter (2008)

---

Well, Sterling has been in his forever home for 1 week and has wiggled his way into everyone’s heart! He is the happiest, most outgoing little guy! Abby thinks she has found her new best friend and we have added “Saint” in front of Zoe’s name. Sterling launches himself at any part of Abby he can reach, but preferably her head and she just mouths and plays with him the way she does with Pete. They chase each other around the house and I’m not sure what Sterling will do when he is too big to scoot under chairs. He fakes her out by lying still and as soon as she turns away, he jumps up and chases her. Their favourite game at the moment is tug – and anything will do…a toy, a tea towel or whatever else is handy, including our pant legs. He does little run-by muggings of Zoe and grabs her ears or face and she just stands there unless he nips a little too hard and then she just gives him a little warning and walks away. He is learning how hard he can play without getting told off, so by the time he starts playing with other dogs, he should have some pretty good manners.

As Len says, “Sterling must have gotten the memo from Diane”, because he has been sleeping through the night for the past few nights. He may have just been lonely and missing his litter mates the first couple of nights home. His toilet schedule is becoming pretty predictable, so only a couple of peeing accidents in the house and no soiling, but that is because we are diligent at getting him out as soon as he wakes up, eats, has a big drink, or every hour or so. He know what he is going out there for and goes right away. Then we play for a bit and come back in. He is happy to get back in the house because he knows that he gets a tidbit of liver treat, which he sits and waits for. The smartest thing we did was make a little play pen for him to be in when we can’t keep an eye on him. He can see us, but can’t get into trouble. He eats in there as well.

We weighed him two days ago and he had already gained a pound – was 9.06 lbs. and 11 1/2″ at the shoulders. He has a great appetite and eats mostly softened kibble and some dry. He is excellent at chewing the dry kibble and not just swallowing it whole. We have now transitioned him totally to Innova Puppy food and he had no problems with the switch and is loving it.

I took some pictures this morning, so will send a couple as soon as I download them to the computer.

Chat soon,
Jeanette (2007)

---

Hi Bonnie,

Diane and Peter Welsh asked us to tell you about Cantope poodles. We have a almost 4 year old silver female and a 6 month old blue female. Both are exceptionally good natured and affectionate dogs. They love other dogs as well as people. When we wanted a second puppy, we relied on Diane to find us a good match for Lexie. Annie is more than well-suited to Lexie as well as our family. We couldn’t be more pleased!

Annie and Lexie are wonderful family dogs. We can’t say enough good things about their breeding. It is notable that, although they both have great personalities, they are from totally different bloodlines. I can confidently say that I wouldn’t hesitate to have any Cantope poodle.

If you want any specific information, or if you want to see our dogs, please feel free to respond and I will be happy to set something up.

Liz Murray (2007)

---