Our Story

The BlackDog Appraisal Story

Founded in 2007 by John Whartnaby, BlackDog Appraisal, Inc. is built on the core values that guide our family. For over three decades, John and his wife Jannine have been rescuing black dogs, each one displaying the same remarkable qualities: loyalty, protectiveness, and trustworthiness. When it came time to name the company, John knew that BlackDog Appraisal was the perfect fit.

In 2016, John’s son, David Whartnaby, MAI, returned from living abroad for over eight years and joined the family appraisal business. Shortly after returning to Fargo, David and his wife Mariana adopted Sherman, a black dog from 4 Luv of Dog Rescue, further strengthening the family’s bond to the values the business was founded upon. Today, David is the owner of BlackDog Appraisal, continuing the legacy of exceptional service and integrity.

Every day, our name serves as a reminder of our commitment to the appraisal profession—being loyal to the appraisal process, protective of sensitive information, and trustworthy in producing accurate, credible appraisal reports.
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