about us

Kenco Farm and Kennel is located on 30 acres of land in Iva, SC. It is a family-owned farm run by Kenneth Whitehouse, Christine Whitehouse and Bonita Elliott. These three work together to care for the vegetable garden, wildflower garden, apple and peach orchard, blueberry patch, chicken coops, family dogs, boarding dogs, and horses.

Kenneth Whitehouse is a craftsman specializing in boat building. He has constructed everything from multi-million dollar yachts to the family fishing boat. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan and has lived and worked in Ohio, Florida, and currently resides in South Carolina. He has always had a passion for Harley Davidson, the color purple, and one of his favorite foods is spaghetti. His dog’s name is Bobo, which is short for Bojangles.

Christine Whitehouse is a multi-talented creative and has channeled that energy into hair styling for the last 35 years. She has recently changed career paths and is currently working in the medical supply industry. Now her creative outlets include cooking and baking, raising chickens, planting and harvesting vegetables and flowers, and she still does hair styling for a select few clients. She enjoys cuddling with her dog Rune, taking care of family, and mowing the fields with her new mower.

Bonita Elliott has devoted her life to the study of dog behavior and the best methods for training. She has experience breeding and training Akitas and Belgian Malinois, working as a program coordinator at animal shelters, and working as an animal control officer. She has lived in California, Texas, and now resides in South Carolina where her day job consists of working for the State. A true cowgirl, Bonita is also a certified firearms instructor and is experienced with hunting and preparing meat.

garden & bees

We planted a “small” garden -on about a half acre- this year to test our soil fertility. We’ve been impressed at the growth we’ve seen so far. We’ve harvested sweet potatoes, beans, cabbage, kohlrabi, bok choy, blueberries, beans, yellow squash, zucchini, watermelon, okra, pumpkins, carrots, cantelope, and more!

We are members of the Anderson County Beekeeper’s Association. We have seven colonies of bees, three of which were swarms that we caught. Honey is harvested every year at the end of the summer.

We have a wildflower garden, an apple and peach orchard consisting of about 60 trees, and a blueberry patch.

Our chicken coop has over 30 birds of all different varieties and sizes resulting in eggs that are a rainbow of colors. We feed our chickens cracked corn and laying pellets and they live a happy life in our two “gated” chicken communities.

We hope to start a farm subscription service next summer. Boxes would be available on a weekly basis and would include a variety of in-season goods produced at our farm. If you would like to sign up please submit your information in our interest form below.

summer 2021

subscription box interest form

Belgian Malinois puppies

Our puppies are born with the genetics from parents who have proven themselves in the police and military fields. They are intelligent, loyal, and friendly dogs.

“Belgian Malinois are squarely built, proud, and alert herders standing 22 to 26 inches. Strong and well-muscled, but more elegant than bulky, there’s an honest, no-frills look about them, as befit dogs built to work hard for their feed. A breed hallmark is the proud carriage of the head. Coat colors range from a rich fawn to mahogany. The black ears and mask accentuate bright, questioning eyes the color of dark Belgian chocolate.

If you have ever seen a Mal perform an obedience routine, you know firsthand what a smart and eager breed this is. Problems set in, though, when this people-oriented dog is underemployed and neglected. Exercise, and plenty of it, preferably side by side with their adored owner, is key to Mal happiness.” (akc.org)

Our puppies have papered parents and come with a Bloedlijnen Registration Number (BRN). They are kept in our clean facility at Kenco Farm and Kennels and are kept up-to-date on all necessary puppy shots and veterinary visits. We only produce one litter every one to two years in order to keep our mamas happy and our puppies healthy. Our past litters have been sold to local private owners as family dogs, trainers as protection dogs, and to a police department as a working dog. If you are interested in talking about reserving a puppy please contact us.

training and boarding rates

A new dog followed me home from school every day as a kid. They were drawn to me and I loved them. Since then, I’ve learned the art of dog training, having trained dogs of all shapes, sizes, and demeanors. I’ve worked with dogs in many different capacities including: showing confirmation dogs at AKC shows, breeding and training both Akitas and Belgian Malinois, working as an animal control officer in the Houston, Texas area, working at dog shelters, and working as a dog trainer. Let me tell you about a program I started when I lived in Houston, Texas. I worked at a high-kill animal shelter called Bark. I realized that people were returning their dogs after adoption because they had no idea how to handle and train the dogs. I started a dog training program at the shelter and it was so successful in helping to save dogs that it continued to grow the entire ten years I was an employee there and still exists today. I have over 20 years experience handling and training dogs and their people and I would be happy to help you with your training goals.

-Bonita Elliott

$30 Boarding Per Night

Our guests receive an individual kennel and bed and are exercised twice daily. For intake we require validation of rabies vaccine. Please provide all necessary food and medications required for the intended stay duration.

$40 Boarding Per night- working dog

We can board protection and working dogs. We will customize our services to the needs of the individual client. For intake we require validation of rabies vaccine. Please provide all necessary food and medications required for the intended stay duration.

$40 obedience training- weekend group class

Learn basic obedience in a group class setting. Classes are one hour in length. Check our Facebook page for updates on weekly day/time.

$60 obedience training- private lesson

Learn basic or advanced obedience in a one-0n-one lesson. 

$50 akc good citizen certification

We are qualified to administer the AKC Good Citizen Certification test. Dogs must have had basic obedience training.

$1,500 board and train

Guests will stay at the farm for three weeks and over that period of time they will learn basic obedience, house training, manners, and will be exercised twice daily. Clients interested in this service will receive a free consultation.

CONTACT US

telephone: (831) 419-7731

mail: 191 kenco way, iva, sc 29655

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