Hello, I am Evelien,
And together with my family, our dogs of course, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm, I am the face behind House of Bears. What started as a love for dogs grew into a passion for the Australian Cobberdog and eventually into the desire to raise healthy, stable, and loving puppies on a small scale.
This is my passion project
Dogs have played an important role in my life for a large part of it. Not since birth, but from the moment I decided, as a ten-year-old girl, that we really had to get a dog. That wasn't so simple, because my father is allergic to dogs.
Armed with a healthy dose of persuasiveness, I made an extensive plea at home as to why I thought having a dog should be possible after all. You see, I had picked up somewhere that poodles were supposedly suitable for people with a dog allergy. My father decided to test this in the only way that really works: by spending a lot of time with one. Fortunately, that turned out well, and not long after, our first dog became part of the family.
So, ultimately, I grew up with dogs and experienced firsthand how much joy, comfort, and connection a dog can bring to a family. That is why I also find it important for my own children to grow up with a dog as a full member of the family. That is where it all started, with our dog Pip.
It might sound strange, but the word 'breeder' still doesn't feel quite right to me. That is mainly because I see myself first and foremost as a dog lover. Guiding our dogs, raising puppies, and seeing beautiful matches between dog and family develop give me by far the most satisfaction.
House of Bears therefore originated as a passion project : out of love for the breed and the desire to raise healthy, stable, and social dogs. Because I also have a regular job, I have the freedom to consciously remain small-scale and always prioritize quality over quantity.
In addition to House of Bears, I work as a legal professional in my daily life. Before that, I was a lawyer for many years. Although that might seem far removed from dogs, that background has a significant influence on how I view breeding. I am naturally curious and enthusiastic, but I have also learned to think critically, conduct research, and carefully evaluate information.
I don't just accept things because they are often said. When I believe in something or make a choice, I want to understand why. That is why I enjoy delving into health, behavior, genetics, and everything involved in responsible breeding. I also prefer to examine subjects about which many assumptions exist, such as hypoallergenicity in Doodle-type breeds, based on facts and research rather than marketing or popular beliefs.
When I do something, I want to do it right. That means juxtaposing different perspectives, carefully weighing options, and being honest about what we know, but also about what we do not yet know. For me, therefore, health, well-being, character, and transparency form the basis of responsible breeding.
Our family mission
House of Bears is first and foremost a family story.
Our dogs do not live in kennels, but simply with us in the house as full-fledged family members. They walk along in our daily lives, lie on the couch, join us on adventures, and grow up amidst all the coziness and hustle and bustle that comes with being a family. Our children are also closely involved. They help out wherever they can, cuddle a lot, and enjoy the dogs and puppies just as much as we do. We consider this important, because a dog is part of the family, not the other way around.
That is precisely why we made a very conscious choice for the Australian Cobberdog back then. We were looking for a dog that was not only social and trainable, but also suitable for a family with children. Although we initially dreamed of a Belgian Malinois, we soon realized that the characteristics of the Australian Cobberdog aligned much better with our lives. The combination of a stable temperament, strong people-orientation, and great adaptability ultimately tipped the scales.
That choice has not disappointed us for a single moment. Every day we see for ourselves why we fell for this breed. Our dogs come from carefully established therapy lines in which traits such as sensitivity, intelligence, stability, and social skills have been consciously selected for generations. These are qualities that are not only pleasant in a family but also make the Australian Cobberdog so special to us.
I am a caring person by nature and derive great satisfaction from providing attention, love, and a safe foundation. Not only to our dogs, but also to the families who place their trust in us. From preparing for a litter to the moment a puppy leaves for its new family: every phase deserves time, attention, and care.
For us, breeding is therefore not about numbers, but about quality. We believe in health testing, well-considered choices, extensive socialization, and personal guidance. But above all, we believe in honesty. Future owners deserve a realistic view of the breed and a breeder who takes the time to think along with them, so that the puppy and the family are a perfect match.
That is why our involvement does not stop as soon as a puppy moves to its new family. We believe it is important to remain available for questions, advice, or just a nice update. Whenever possible, we stay in touch with our puppy families and we absolutely love seeing how the puppies develop. We regularly receive photos and stories, puppies come to visit again, and every now and then one even stays overnight. It is precisely this lasting bond that makes this so special to us. The door of House of Bears is therefore always open.
Our goal is simple: to raise healthy, stable, and loving Australian Cobberdogs that enrich the family in which they grow up. Always guided by the same philosophy with which House of Bears began: with love, attention, and responsibility for every dog entrusted to our care.
