Celestial Swedish Vallhunds brings together my experience in training, veterinary care, and dog sports with a commitment to preserving what makes this breed special.
I’m Kristin, a dog trainer, pet sitter, and canine photographer based in Chesapeake, Virginia. Dogs are part of both my work and my everyday life. My animal-care background spans more than 14 years, including professional dog training and emergency veterinary work.
Before focusing on training and my own canine work, I spent approximately eight years as an emergency veterinary assistant. That experience continues to shape the care I give my dogs and the importance I place on health, comfort, and informed decisions.
I’m an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and have training in low-stress handling techniques and pet CPR. Helping dogs feel safe and understood is an important part of how I work.
Through Alchemy K9, my work includes training, pet sitting and boarding, and dog-sport photography. I welcome boarding dogs into my home in small groups, with individual attention and opportunities for activity and rest. Working with different dogs and their families has reinforced how much individual temperament, daily routines, and the relationship with their people matter.
I enjoy exploring a wide range of activities with my own dogs. With Tala, that includes conformation, agility, rally, scent work, Fast CAT, barn hunt, tricks, and herding. I love seeing the same dog succeed in different settings, then come home and be part of everyday life.
That is the kind of partnership I hope to help future Celestial Swedish Vallhund families build: a dog they enjoy living with, learning with, and sharing adventures with.
Meet my teammate, Tala →My goal is to maintain and thoughtfully improve the Swedish Vallhund, with physical and mental health at the center of breeding decisions.
I want to preserve the breed’s recognizable type, working ability, intelligence, and character while making careful choices for future generations. Health, temperament, structure, and breed identity belong in the same conversation.
Health screening is an essential starting point. My goals also include considering family history, sound movement, functional structure, and the ability to enjoy an active, comfortable life.
I aim to make informed pairings, share results openly, and consider genetic diversity alongside the strengths and concerns of each dog. That means looking beyond an individual test or title to the pairing as a whole and its contribution to future generations.
I value stable temperaments, confidence, curiosity, and the ability to learn and work with people. How a dog feels and copes in everyday life matters alongside its achievements. I value the ability to recover after a surprise, engage in learning, and settle when it is time to rest.
My goal is to support dogs who can enjoy activity and engagement while also feeling comfortable as companions in a suitable home.
The breed standard guides my goals for proportion, outline, movement, coat, and temperament. I want dogs that remain recognizably Swedish Vallhunds.
Preserving their herding heritage means valuing useful instincts, alertness, intelligence, stamina, and versatility along with their appearance.
Conformation and performance activities give me different opportunities to learn about my dogs. I want balanced structure and efficient movement that serve a practical purpose, together with the willingness and ability to take part in life with their people.
I do not expect every puppy to want the same activities. Each dog is an individual, and finding a home that suits that individual is an important part of the program.
Breeding thoughtfully means continually evaluating, learning, and being honest about what can be improved. My aim is to contribute positively to the breed over generations.
For families, I want this approach to be understandable: clear health information, an honest picture of the breed’s needs, and a conversation about the individual puppy rather than appearance alone.
Explore the breed standard →My goal is to place puppies in homes where they can thrive, including show and sport homes and active companion homes that suit the puppy’s temperament and needs.
I plan to keep a puppy from my breeding program and offer lifetime breeder support to the families who welcome the others. I want owners to feel comfortable asking questions, sharing accomplishments, and reaching out when they need guidance.
Learn about future puppy homes →