Located in the townof Ambonnay, in the heart of the Champagne vineyards, our dog breeding facility is situated on a historic site: a former Merovingian cemetery at a place knownas “La Fontaine de Crilly.” In thislush, green setting spanning more than 20,000 m², our Malinois Shepherds live in harmony with nature and a wide variety of animals.
Our dogs roam in large, shaded parks ranging from 400 to 600 m², featuring two ponds and a small wooded area nearby.
Wildlife is abundant here, promoting the natural well-being of our pets.
On-site presence:
All of this promotes the well-being, balance, and natural abilities of our working dogs.
Each of our litters is born in our home, in a space designed for that purpose.
The outdoor enclosures, ranging from 20 to 28 m², are equipped with automatic waterers, umbrellas to provide shaded areas, and a large “little house”-style kennel made of tiles and cinder blocks, and are directly adjacent to our home.
The puppies are part of our daily lives thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that cover half the house.
Thanks to this proximity, we can also take immediate action if necessary and stay in close contact with them at all times.
The floor is covered with sand, and the kennel is lined with straw tocushion their first falls and protect their joints during play and roughhousing.
In the nursery, a CD of sound clips featuring everyday noises from our surroundings plays alternately with the radio.
Meanwhile, at puppy parks, the day unfolds to the rhythm of various types of TV shows (cartoons, action and adventure movies, sports, news, etc.) played through outdoor speakers connected to the TV.
This helps our puppies adapt better to sounds, everyday life, and surprises.
Various exercises are offered to the puppies: getting them used to the sound of firecrackers, walks in the fields, and an introduction to water—not to mention the small birds and pigeons that catch the puppies’ attention as they nest in the hedge separating their pens from the road.
They also grow up hearing the sounds of passing cars, trucks, and farm machinery…
Two specific areas are available to them:
The first area, where children are accompanied by their mothers, helps them feel secure in the open, grassy spaces. It is filled with all kinds of toys , as well as water-filled balloons, to create surprising yet reassuring experiences—all within a guided exploration setting .
The second activity, designed as an obstacle course featuring various textures and flexible materials, will allow them to navigate their way through it and discover the challenges they may face in real-world work situations.
Each of our litters is born in our home, in a space designed for that purpose.
Our dogs, or those bred by our kennel, have won:
Some of our dogs are currently working in:
The story of Le Paradis des Edelweiss farm is, above all, a story of passion, shaped by respect for animals and a deep desire to farm differently.
It all began with a Great Dane, a loyal companion who marked Cédric’s first steps into the world of dog breeding. He quickly developed his expertise across a wide range of breeds, each as unique as they are fascinating. Drawing on these experiences, he refined his vision of ethical, balanced breeding focused on the dog’s well-being.
Throughout his career, he has benefited from the expert guidance of Éric Pecqueur and his wife Evelyne, iconic figures in the dog-breeding world and true authorities on breeding the Braque d’Auvergne. Through his kennel , “De la Ferme Saint Vannes”—which has been named France’s best kennel several times—Éric has passed on to Cédric the cornerstones of his approach: rigorous selection, respect for the dog, and a love for the craft.
It is these values that drive Cédric to create an ideal environment for his four-legged companions: no concrete kennels or overcrowding, but large, tree-lined enclosures covering up to 500 m², shared by no more than two or three dogs, in the heart of a small Champenois forest. A calm, natural, and healthy living environment where every dog can thrive.
Today, the kennel focuses on two breeds that hold a special place in his heart: the Belgian Malinois Shepherd and the Auvergne Braque.
👉 Check out our website dedicated to the Auvergne Braque here.
Vanessa joined the kennel in 2023. She brings dedication, curiosity, and kindness to her work every day. Cédric shares his expertise with her on a daily basis, and together they form a complementary team, dedicated to every step of the process: from socializing the puppies to supporting their new families. Cédric andVanessa share the breeding responsibilities, actively participate in the care of the dogs, and share this common passion with you.
A family-run breeding operation, a close-knit team, and a clear philosophy: breeding with care, respecting the dogs, and being transparent with prospective adopters.
At our shelter, we never take the purchase of accessories, dog food, or toys lightly. First and foremost, we offer a mandatory class lasting about 1.5 to 2 hours to all prospective adopters. This discussion is essential: we explain how a puppy behaves, what it can chew on, swallow, or play with, and the risks to its teeth, stomach, or growth.
Keep in mind that in the vast majority of cases, it’s your instincts, interpretations, and the environment you provide that cause your puppy to exhibit problematic behaviors, make a mess, or even destroy your home.
Our approach is simple: you wouldn’t buy a toy for a child without knowing whether it’s appropriate for their age or developmental stage. It’s exactly the same for a puppy. Every accessory, every kibble, and every toy has a purpose, a use, and consequences.
👉 That is why we strongly urge you not to buy anything in advance.
Don't worry—we won't leave you high and dry. There's a small shop right on site where you can stock up on supplies on the day of your departure. We'll give you a quick tutorial, and once you've been trained, you can go shopping on your own—the results will be all the better for it.
For the sake of economy, consistency, and above all, your puppy’s well-being, please wait for this class before making any purchases.
Also, please note that your future puppy has already been prepared with various elements; all you need to do is continue his early stimulation and training in the same spirit.
Everything is carefully selected: safe ingredients, responsible brands, and premium dry food that we use ourselves on our farm. And you’ll notice the difference right away.
Very often, our clients who had started their purchase before this course tell us they gave everything away or threw it out… only to eventually return the relevant items.
They're our babies first and foremost—before they're yours—and we hope this will be a wonderful experience for everyone.
Don't forget that you're embarking on a 15-year adventure—we'd love for everything to go smoothly right from the start. We want to hear good news and see photos, not worries about this, that, or the other thing going wrong… just because you decided not to follow the breeder's advice.
World Championship titles, dogs placed with professional handlers, and satisfied families—this isn’t a coincidence: it’s because our method works.
If professionals and dog event organizers endorse it, why not just… trust it?
Careful selection of strains
Complete awakening: physical, mental, and emotional
Personalized advice, follow-up, and support
Family Life
Dog Sports
Work (safety, research, public service)
Exhibition & Framed Reproduction
Our farm is open 7 days a week
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Farm tours are by appointment only.
Please provide us with your contact information and three dates when you are available; we will call you back to confirm the date and time of the visit.
Fill out the form below, and Cédric will call you back as soon as possible!