ABOUT US

A woman and a man sitting outdoors on a bench with several dogs, surrounded by greenery and fallen leaves.

Le Epitome Kennels is a boutique, family-run kennel based in the Waikato, owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Olivia and Alistair Potter. We are centrally located within New Zealand’s Golden Triangle, within easy reach of Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga. Prospective puppy families are welcome to contact us, arrange a visit, and come out to meet the pack.

Olivia, our breeding specialist, has been breeding brachycephalic companion breeds for over 30 years, with extensive experience in raising confident, well-socialised family dogs. Our kennel focuses on French Bulldogs and Pugs, and we are registered members of DogsNZ and the Master Dog Breeders Association. Our puppies are raised in a real family environment, around children, other animals, household noise, loud music, supervised pond play, water, outdoor life, and the normal rhythm of a busy home. From the beginning, we focus on producing confident, well-socialised companions who are ready to become part of family life.

We are not trying to breed ordinary dogs. Our programme focuses on health, temperament, sound structure, confidence, and producing French Bulldogs and Pugs with the presence, quality, and character that people notice.

Our programme includes a wide range of colours and coat types, including fluffy-coated lines, for families looking for something a little different without compromising on care, quality, or wellbeing.

Raw feeding is a core part of how we raise our dogs. We feed our dogs a 100% raw diet, as nature intended. After over 20 years of raw feeding and more than 10 generations of raw-fed dogs, we have seen the difference this makes in condition, vitality, skin health, digestion, and overall wellbeing.

Our puppies are raised on raw food from the beginning, and we provide guidance to help new owners continue that approach at home. We believe consistency matters, especially during the settling-in period, and we give our puppy families practical feeding, hygiene, and care information before their puppy comes home.

Preparation is also a big part of our process. Before collection, we encourage new owners to prepare their home and yard carefully, including checking fencing, drains, decks, stairs, access under buildings, and other hazards young puppies may not understand.

Each puppy receives veterinary care, vaccination, worming, and a full vet check before handover. New owners are also asked to arrange a second veterinary check shortly after pickup, so any early concerns can be identified quickly.

We also provide practical support around settling in, crate use, toileting, safe vehicle travel, early training, health care, and general puppy management. Our aim is not just to send puppies to new homes, but to help families feel prepared, informed, and supported.

Many of our puppy owners also join the Le Epitome Family Facebook group, where they can connect with other owners, share updates, arrange play dates, and stay informed about seasonal reminders and general care advice.

At Le Epitome Kennels, our goal is simple: to raise healthy, beautiful, well-adjusted dogs with sound structure, confident temperaments, and the classic Le Epitome presence our dogs are known for.