We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karina Townsend. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karina below.

Hi Karina , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The Story Behind Our Mission – Blue Denim Doodles

Our mission at Blue Denim Doodles is simple but powerful: to rebrand what it means to be a breeder. There’s a long-standing stigma around dog breeding—people often assume it’s purely for profit. But for us, it’s deeply personal. It’s about ethics, intentionality, and love.

As a mom of three young kids and a lifelong animal lover, I’ve always craved a dog that could effortlessly blend into the chaos and joy of family life—just like your favorite pair of denim jeans that just fits. That desire inspired the name and soul of our program. Every dog in our program is carefully selected not just for looks, but for temperament, health, and the ability to truly become part of a family.

We invest heavily in this process—both emotionally and financially. Health testing alone is extensive and expensive, but it’s non-negotiable for us. We seek out top-quality bloodlines that complement each other to ensure we’re producing puppies with the best possible start—genetically, physically, and emotionally.

When puppies arrive, our work only intensifies. It’s a 24/7 job throughout their time with us. We’re constantly monitoring the mama, caring for the puppies, and making sure every need is met around the clock. At the same time, we’re nurturing the experience for our puppy families—keeping them updated, included, and excited every step of the way. This isn’t a side gig. It’s a calling.

Blue Denim Doodles started as a way to keep my passion for animals alive while navigating life as a young military wife and a new mom. Both roles, while deeply rewarding, can also feel incredibly isolating. I found myself craving connection—something that would allow me to stay true to who I was before motherhood while embracing the season I was in. So I built something rooted in purpose and community, something that extends far beyond the first eight weeks of a puppy’s life.

When you adopt from us, you’re stepping into something we’ve built with heart and intention. Every part of this journey—from the health testing to the 2 a.m. bottle feedings, to the way we welcome families in—is a reflection of the life we live and the values we hold. I started Blue Denim Doodles to stay connected to who I was, but it’s become so much more. It’s now a way to serve others, to bring joy, and to raise dogs that truly change lives. That’s the story behind our mission— my goal is for every one of our families to feel like they always have a spot at our table.

Karina , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Karina Townsend. I’m 28 years old, and I officially began my journey as a breeder at the age of 23. I got into this industry in the most unexpected way—after bringing home a Goldendoodle and a Labradoodle for our family, we had an accidental litter. At the time, I knew nothing about breeding. But once I confirmed that our mama dog was pregnant, I immediately dove headfirst into research. I wanted to do it the right way.

Back then, I started browsing breeder websites and social media pages—and to be honest, a lot of them felt the same. The pictures, the messaging—it all looked like people were just trying to make a quick sale. I didn’t want that. I wanted to be different. I wanted my program to reflect the love, creativity, and intentionality behind what I was building.

I’ve always had a crafty side and a deep love for creating things with my hands. So when it came time to announce our litters, I leaned into that creativity. I started making unique, themed litter announcements, giving each puppy a fun and thoughtful name, and dreaming up ways to make every moment feel special. Over time, it became more than a cute post—it became a full-blown production. Now I plan weeks in advance, designing and building props, filming content, and pouring myself into every detail to bring my vision to life. And honestly, that’s what sets us apart. It’s the experience. People follow along just to see, “What is she going to come up with next?”—and I love that. I live for the challenge of outdoing myself with every single litter.

But beyond the visuals, what I truly care about is the connection. I want our families to feel something when they adopt from us—whether it’s joy, peace, excitement, or a deep sense of trust. I take pride in how many people, even those who haven’t adopted a puppy from us, are invested in how we do things. That tells me our mission is resonating.

One moment I’ll never forget was when a past family called me and asked if they could list me in their will—so that, in the event anything ever happened to them, their dog could come back to me. Without hesitation, I said, “Absolutely.” That was the moment I truly felt like I had made it as a breeder. Not because of recognition or success, but because of the trust. They knew I would take that dog back in a heartbeat and find her the best life all over again if needed.

That’s what I want to be known for. That level of heart. I want people to know I’ve poured my entire soul into this program—not just for the dogs, but for the families who welcome them home. Blue Denim Doodles isn’t just a brand. It’s a piece of me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments of resilience in my journey came during two separate seasons of heartbreaking loss. I miscarried twice—both times while delivering puppies for two of our mama dogs. It felt like such a painful contrast. I was grieving the loss of my own child, while helping bring someone else’s joy into the world. It was heavy, confusing, and deeply emotional.

There were moments I didn’t want to keep going. I wanted to hide away, to shut down, to escape the pain. But in those moments, I leaned hard into my faith. I cried out to God, and He met me in the stillness. He reminded me that there was still purpose in my pain. That even though my arms felt empty, my heart could still pour out love.

My children were a light in that darkness—they needed me. And so were the families waiting to meet their new puppy. There’s something sacred about witnessing a go-home day. When a family meets their new furbaby for the first time, there’s a joy so pure it almost feels divine. I began to see those moments as part of my healing. As little glimpses of God’s goodness, even when life didn’t feel good.

That experience changed me. It reminded me that resilience isn’t always loud or bold—sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes it’s choosing to show up in the middle of grief. And that’s what I’ve continued to do. For my family, for our puppies, and for every family waiting to meet theirs.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

One of the most effective strategies I’ve used to build clientele has been showing up with transparency and authenticity. From day one, I’ve made it a priority to be real with my audience—to share the highs and the lows, the behind-the-scenes moments, and the heart behind everything I do. I truly believe people are craving connection more than perfection.

There’s no one else in this world like you—and that’s your superpower. Once I stopped trying to fit into what I thought a breeder should look like and leaned fully into what made me different, everything changed. I embraced my creativity, my love for storytelling, my faith, and the chaos of being a mom of three while running a breeding program—and people connected with it.

It’s easy to get caught up in comparison, especially online. But what I’ve learned is that people don’t just buy a product or service—they buy into you. When you lead with who you are, the right people will find you and stay with you. And that’s what’s helped me build a loyal, invested community—because they don’t just love the puppies… they believe in the person raising them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Bluedenimdoodles.com
• Instagram: Bluedenimdoodles
• Youtube: The Blue Denim Experience
• Other: Spotify – The Blue Denim Experience

Image Credits

Professional photos done by Corvette Summer Photography