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SouthFork Ranch believes that six elements should be considered in every breeding in order to preserve what the ideal means to us. 

 

We like to compare our breeding philosophy to that of the *Monster Cookie: complex and full of varying ingredients, textures, and profiles that all work together to make something lovely.

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Health. Like any specific breed of dog, our dogs are not without health problems. It is impossible to guarantee that any dog will be without health issues; the best we can do is to be honest about what anomalies are lurking within our pedigrees and bloodlines, and make breeding decisions to keep them at bay. To that end, SouthFork Ranch dogs are thoroughly assessed for health, and the data we collect contributes to every planned breeding decision. We believe so much in the general/overall health of our dogs that every single puppy comes with a health warranty and lifetime breeder support.

Temperament. A dog’s temperament is the aspect of his personality that is innate. It also determines how an individual dog responds to the world, and it is predominantly driven by genetics. This is why careful selection of dogs with proper and compatible temperaments is key to a successful breeding. It is critical for each dog’s temperament to be assessed and understood in order for it to be placed in the right home and given proper training and socialization for his temperament type to make him the best dog he can be.

Character. Unlike temperament, a dog’s character is developed by training, socialization, lifestyle and individual experiences. If temperament is the structure of a bicycle, character is the color, bells, and whistles.

Livability. Livability is a function of both temperament and character. For us, the best SouthFork Ranch dogs are those who are easy to live with; they’re content, patient with children, don’t bark excessively, sleep all night (don’t stir until we do), never potty in the house, take to crate training easily, don’t get carsick, and adapt well to new people and environments.

Structure. The AKC Breed Standard (the blueprint for the individual breeds) has a lot to say about what a dog should look like. It should go without saying that every single SouthFork Ranch dog meets the majority of the written standard. [It’s impossible for one single dog to meet 100% of the breed standard.] Our measure of success for adhering to the breed standard lies in the accolades we’ve been given by licensed judges through the sport of showing dogs.

Ability. SouthFork Ranch breeding program is preserving each breeds natural abilities and their original purpose, form and function.  

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Let’s go back to the cookie analogy. There are folks out there who don’t believe in putting nuts in their cookies. Others will argue that a Monster Cookie without nuts is an abomination.

So who’s right?

It actually doesn’t matter. 

Supporting a breeder’s philosophy works the same way. Decide what’s important for you, and find a breeder who has the same values. The puppy you ultimately bring home is a vote of support for your breeder’s philosophy, ethics, and values.

As for us, we prefer cold milk with our cookies!

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SouthFork Ranch Monster cookies are loaded with crunchy peanut butter, roasted nuts, chewy oats, colorful m&ms, and gooey chocolate chips! They bake up super thick, with chewy edges and incredibly soft centers. A must try for all of my fellow cookie monsters out there!

RECIPE

1 cup (227 grams ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup creamy peanut butter, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 and 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 large egg yolk, at room temperarure

2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup quick oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 and 1/2 cups M&M candies

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup roasted pecans, roughly chopped

 

Instructions

 

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.

• Add in the peanut butter and vanilla and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.

• Next add in both sugars and beat until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed, about 2 minutes.

• Add in the eggs and yolk, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Turn mixer off.

• Add in the flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk the ingredients together lightly before turning the mixer back on low and mixing in the dry ingredients until just combined. Be sure not to over mix here.

• Turn mixer off and use a spatula to fold in the M&Ms, chocolate chips, and pecans. 

• Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes, or up to 2 days. 

 

When ready to bake:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Scoop two tablespoon sized mounds of dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, leaving a few inches between each cookies for spreading. Gently press down on each cookie ball, slightly flattening the ball. This will help them spread evenly in the oven. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with some extra oats, if desired. 

• Bake one tray at a time, for 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers have set. If any edges spread out while baking, use a spatula and gently press them back in as soon as you remove the cookies from the oven. 

• Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

* adapted from Barrett Weimaraners: the kitchen sink chili: