Our story
A programme built from heart, purpose, and a very special dog.
Ebonheart began with Amanda and Jocianna in 2012.
From one beloved companion to a future-minded line.
When Amanda’s sister Jessica was looking for the right puppy, Amanda set out to raise one with the same love and connection she knew with Jocianna. That first litter became the beginning of Ebonheart.
Today, the American Moxie is being thoughtfully developed from Papillon, Miniature American Shepherd, and Border Collie influence, with the aim of creating compact, adaptable, intelligent companions with heart.
Jocianna Dorkus Ebony
The Heart Behind Ebonheart
Before there was a kennel, before there were puppies to raise or dogs to train, there was Jocianna.
Jocianna Dorkus Ebony was a little Papillon with the heart of a lion, a personality far bigger than her body, and enough stubbornness to drive me absolutely mad.
She was my psychiatric service dog, my greatest teacher, and my lifeline.
She taught me courage when I was afraid, gave me strength when I was falling apart, and helped me experience a world I might otherwise have been too frightened to explore.
She quite literally saved my life.
And because of her, I dedicated that life to helping other dogs become everything they might mean to someone else.
Because I will never know which dog might become someone's reason to stay.
Someone's lifeline when the world feels too heavy.
Before there was Ebonheart, there was Jocianna.
And because there was Jocianna, there is still me.
American Moxie
A working draft breed standard
Purpose
Quick, agile, structurally sound dogs with the endurance for performance sports and the focus and emotional steadiness for service work.
Temperament
Confident, intelligent, lively, responsive, approachable, adaptable, and mentally resilient.
Size
Ideal adult height is 13–15 inches at the withers. The acceptable height range is 12.5–15.5 inches, with an expected adult weight of 15–25 pounds. Overall proportions, soundness, and body condition matter more than weight alone.
Carefully developed
The line remains in its foundation stage, shaped with integrity, collaboration, and purpose.