About · Meet Deidre
Hello!
I’m Deidre Philpot.
Welcome to the home of my kennel, RockSteady Tibetan Terriers. What started as a lifelong love of dogs has grown into a small, careful breeding program built on health, temperament, and heart. I hope you enjoy getting to know us — and I hope we might get to know you, too.
Since 1997
Caring for D.C.’s dogs for nearly 30 years.
Health first
CHIC / OFA tested, show-proven breeding dogs.
Giving back
Serving on the TTCA Board of Directors.
A little about me first
A life shared with animals.
I live within the city limits of Washington, D.C., but my neighborhood feels very suburban. My dogs and I share a small home on a quiet street not far from Takoma Park, Maryland. My life has been dedicated to the care and training of little furry friends of all walks, sizes, and breeds for as long as I can remember.
Knowing from a very young age that I wanted to work with animals, I opened my dog walking and pet sitting service in 1997, and I’ve operated continuously in the Georgetown neighborhood of D.C. ever since.
I’ve been lucky to build a good client base and reputation over the years — all by word of mouth — so my business has stayed small and organic. I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly over the past almost thirty years.
Having taken care of almost every breed of dog you can imagine, I have a soft spot for the small, the shaggy, and the clever. As it turns out, that’s exactly where this story was always heading.
How I found the breed
Frankie and Ellie
I fell in love with Tibetan Terriers when I cared for two very sweet Georgetown residents named Frankie and Ellie — Franklin and Elinor, very aptly named for living in Washington. I adored those dogs. I cared for them for many years, until their family moved away to Georgia. We lost touch, but I never forgot them.
In 2012, I welcomed my first TT by my side: Cookie. She shifted the course of my life, opening the door to a whole new world — and a whole community came with it. Five years later I adopted her brother, Turtle, and the rest is history.
Welcoming Cookie in 2012 shifted the course of my life. She opened the door to a whole new world, and a whole community came with it.
More than a hobby
My passion, my vision and my responsibility.
I very quickly became involved in the close-knit family that is the world of Tibetan Terriers. I’ve gone from being a partner and caregiver for Cookie to exhibiting in conformation shows; trying my hand at Agility, Obedience, Barn Hunt, and Scent Work; and serving for several years now on the Tibetan Terrier Club of America Board of Directors, where I chair several committees overseeing Membership and Meet the Breeds.
Last year, my sweet four-year-old Tibetan, Fable, gave birth to a lovely and long-awaited litter of five beautiful puppies — the beginning of my foray into the gift and wonderment of breeding. It was an experience that was truly an honor, and I thank Fable (and the puppies) for sharing it with me.
My promise
Dedicated, firstly, to every little life we bring into this world.
All of our breeding dogs are extensively health tested, have been proven in the show ring, and have earned their CHIC number with the OFA. I’ve been granted the title of Accredited Breeder by our breed club, the TTCA. I hope to continue along this journey for many years — and I invite you to come with me!
— Deidre Philpot