Upscale Blackberry Farm has animals to match

Not only can you be pampered at Blackberry Farm, but you can experience a dog breeding center.

You can go home with a $3,000 Italian truffle-hunting dog ($6,000 if you have Blackberry Farm train it).

In February I visited its Lagotto Romagnolo dog breeding center, where 23 puppies romped. This breed looks like a curlier, lighter-colored Portuguese water dog, and these dogs make loving, hypoallergenic pets.

On a return visit I would like to try Blackberry Farm’s horsemanship experience. With a fully equipped Western and English tack room and well-bred horses, you can learn to ride in the arena, go on trail rides in the Smoky Mountains or gallop across fields.

You also can take a daylong natural horsemanship classes, delving into the psychology between humans and horse.

::

If you go

THE BEST WAY TO BLACKBERRY FARM

From LAX, Delta, American, United and US Airways offer connecting service (change of planes) to Knoxville, Tenn. Restricted round-trip fares from $462, including taxes and fees. It’s about a 25-minute drive to the farm.

Blackberry Farm, (800) 557-8864, https://www.blackberryfarm.com. Doubles from $745 a night with a two-night minimum. Includes all meals from dinner on day of arrival through lunch on day of departure, all snacks and nonalcoholic beverages.

WELLNESS VACATIONS: Going on vacation and returning healthier | A guide to wellness vacations | Look beyond the price | Some select hotels’ and resorts’ wellness programs | Blackberry Farm guests grow healthy