As my mentor Frank Baylis told me when I first went to his kennel, “all dogs need to be great pets because only a few will be great in the show ring.” I have taken this to heart. If it cannot live in my house, then it is not going to fit in my breeding program.
When I brought my first show bred Aussie home I was not sure how a dog who had lived in a kennel all her life would react. As I write this she is curled at my feet and I have to laugh at how much concern I had.
The best part of an Australian Shepherd is that the are so versatile. While I love the conformation ring I get as much joy in Agility, Obedience and Rally and cannot wait to find a place to try herding. And the best part – I can do it all with one dog!
When I made the decision to get into breeding was not taken lightly. I cannot even walk into Petco or PetsMart and not break down at all the homeless animals. In my home I have rescue cats and dogs – the indiscriminate breeding and the throw away society we have become weighs on my mind. In the end I decided that my Aussies not only fit the breed standard they are incredible family pets as well.
The proof is in the fact I no longer have a name, people see Bumble Bee and yell HER NAME – I am just the leash holder. It does not matter if I am at a horse show, or my son’s school or around the block. People first comment on her beauty but in the end they are in love with her personality.
I am so lucky to have a great mentor in Frank and Chris of Bayshore and through them met so many wonderful people like Jeff Margeson of Stonehaven,
Any puppy that is bred or co-bred by me will have the guarantee that I will always be there for them. I have done thorough genetic testing, CERF, OFA and will spare no expense in their care. A puppy is a commitment not only to the buyer but to the seller as well and seeing a happy puppy and a smiling family is the perfect happy ending.
For me the day I saw Bummy I realized I was the luckiest person on earth and I want everyone else to feel that way.
- Jodie