Get to know us
Muletown Doodles is a family operation led by Steve and Jennifer Spoerl, alongside our four children, nestled in the heart of Columbia, TN. Our primary goal is to rear puppies of the highest quality and superb socialization, geared towards becoming beloved family members. While we don't specialize in show-quality dogs, we dedicate ourselves to producing the finest family pets possible. With over three decades of experience in dog breeding, we curate a nurturing home environment where our personal pets, deeply cherished members of our family, are carefully selected as breeding parents. Raised alongside our four children, our puppies inherit not only impeccable genetics but also a foundation of love, care, and interaction crucial for their development as well-rounded companions.
Our mission
Our mission is to raise exceptional pets for your family while teaching our children the values of hard work and responsibility through running a small business. We aim to raise the very best Aussiedoodle puppies for your family while instilling essential life skills in our children, fostering strong bonds within our family and our community.
Our vision
We recognize that adopting a shelter pet may not suit everyone, and that puppy mills, pet stores, and extensive breeder networks are not optimal alternatives, we aim to provide a superior solution. Our commitment lies in offering a premium experience, ensuring that each furry addition to a family is a joyous and fulfilling experience for both humans and pets alike.
Our Puppies
Our puppies will grow to be between 35 and 60 lbs. Most are between 40 to 50lbs, but some of our males have been known to get up to 60lbs.
All of our puppies will have the "poodle" or "doodle" look with minimal to no shedding, plus Momma's beautiful Aussie colors and markings. Some of our past owners report some minimal shedding at about 10 months old as they shed their puppy coat, but no shedding otherwise.
Our puppies will be vet checked, have their first round of shots, come with a complete set of records, as well as a 1 year health guarantee at time of pickup around 8 weeks old or older.
Starting with our 2024 litter, our puppies have their dew claws removed and tails partially docked to look like dad's in the image to the left or below.
Get to know Liberty (mom)
Our Beautiful Female Australian Shepard
Liberty has the most beautiful blue merle coat weighing in at 50lbs. She came to us from a local family here in Columbia that bred their 2 Australian shepherds in their living room as we do. Most of her brothers had blue eyes and we are so excited to see many of her puppies get this trait. Libby is one of the smartest dogs we have ever owned, she learns quickly but as is typical with her breed, she requires an assertive pack leader to keep her in line. She is protective of her family and distrustful around strangers but warms up to new people quickly. She loves cuddling and getting her belly rubbed.
Get to know Junior (dad)
Our Lovable & Goofy Male Moyen Poodle
Junior is our male Moyen Poodle and weighs in at 45lbs. Junior came from another high-quality home-based breeder just a few towns over. Junior was one of the calmest and well-behaved puppies we have ever raised. As an adult Junior is lovable, full of energy, lives to please, loves to play fetch and learn new tricks. As a dad he is very affectionate with his pups and will even help Libby with clean up duties and tries to help as much as Libby will permits.
What makes our puppies the best pets?
Here are some key references and findings from such studies:
Scott, J. P., & Fuller, J. L. (1965). Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. University of Chicago Press.
This classic study examines the effects of early socialization on puppies, demonstrating that puppies raised with regular human interaction are generally more social and better adjusted compared to those with limited human interaction.
Freedman, D. G., King, J. A., & Elliot, O. (1961). Critical Period in the Social Development of Dogs. Science, 133(3457), 1016-1017.
This research highlights the critical period for socialization in puppies, suggesting that those who have frequent human contact during this period are more likely to develop into well-adjusted adult dogs.
Serpell, J., & Jagoe, J. A. (1995). Early Experience and the Development of Behaviour. In J. Serpell (Ed.), The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behaviour, and Interactions with People (pp. 79-102). Cambridge University Press.
This chapter discusses the impact of early experiences on the development of behavior in dogs, emphasizing that puppies raised with human interaction tend to exhibit fewer behavioral problems.
Pluijmakers, J. J. T. M., Appleby, D. L., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2010). Exposure to video images between 3 and 5 weeks of age decreases neophobia in domestic dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 126(1-2), 51-58.
This study shows that early exposure to human interaction, even through indirect means like video images, can reduce fearfulness in dogs, indicating the importance of social experiences during early development.
Overall, K. L. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier Health Sciences.
This manual provides comprehensive information on the behavioral development of dogs, noting that puppies with limited human interaction are more likely to develop fear-based behaviors and socialization issues.
Battaglia, C. L. (2009). Periods of Early Development and the Effects of Stimulation and Social Experiences in the Canine. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 4(4), 203-210.
This paper discusses the stages of early development in puppies and the positive effects of early socialization and stimulation on their behavior and adaptability.
Studies comparing puppies raised in homes with regular human interaction versus those raised outdoors with limited human interaction often focus on various aspects of canine development, such as socialization, behavior, and temperament.
The consensus across these studies is that puppies raised in homes with consistent human interaction tend to develop better social skills, exhibit fewer behavioral problems, and are generally more well-adjusted compared to those raised with limited human contact.
