Page 78 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023

An Interview with a Breeder

very critical of the dogs I kept, I tried to have my
own standard that the puppies had to measure up
to, or they were sold on spay/neuter contracts.

Did you have mentor/mentors and how have
they helped you?
I had many, of course, Sarah Barkley was my main
mentor. We travelled together and on out-of-town
shows, we would take time to watch the groups
and discuss all the breeds, what they were bred
to do and their structure. She told me to listen and
keep my mouth shut. And I did and boy did I learn
a lot about other breeds which I could apply to my
Aussies.

Karen Broadus of Marquis Aussies was a good
friend and mentor, she discussed bloodlines with EZ Victor. Cruiser had the most correct front and
me. Sadly we didn’t live close to each other, so this rear, he had the bone I like, a strong top-line, a
was through letters. beautiful head, a lovely muzzle, correct bite, the
correct number of teeth, and that ‘it’ factor. He
I joined the local Australian Shepherd Club, but made a statement when he walked into the ring.
most of those members were new as well.
Do you health test your dogs, if so please tell us
Have you been inspired by any other Kennels/ what you screen for? Do you think the x-ray of
breeders? hips and elbows are still the most important or
Absolutely, we tried to attend every National also some DNA tests?
Specialty we could get to. I would introduce myself Well of course DNA testing is mandatory in both
to other breeders whom I admired. We talked about ASCA and AKC and they have to be done before
dogs the entire week. My most memorable ones breeding them and I don’t mind that at all. Yes, I
were Leslie Frank of Propwash, Karen Broadus of test for as much as we have tests for. I do the new
Marquis Kennels, Leida Jones of Penn Y Ewe, and 10 panel testing that Paw Print Genetics offers, I
others I cannot remember right now. do OFA’s for Hips/elbows, annual eye testing from
a Certified Ophthalmologist, and the Pelger-Huet
Which dog(s) do you consider the foundation of tests. I think that young breeders use the results of
Aussies in USA? these tests as the be all end all, and really, we need to
Of course, the Flintridge bred dogs made a huge look at these tests as tools, to be used in our decision
impact. The Windermere dogs were hugely well- making in deciding if we want to breed a dog or not.
known and very beautiful and correct. Then of the
herding dogs, we had the Woods bred dogs; and What do you think makes an ideal Aussie for
so many others. show? Does that change for breeding?
For me, temperament is so extremely important, the
Probably everybody in the Aussie world will dog has to be bomb-proof, not reactive to noises, or
know your male Cruiser (McMatt´s EZ Going). Is strangers. I’m not looking for a clownish dog who
he the best example of the breed you have bred wiggles up to everyone, but true to our temperament,
so far and why? a dog that is looking at strangers, not backing away,
Yes, Cruiser is certainly the most correct males of but not attacking either. They are sizing them up and
the type I like that I’ve bred. His dam is my girl, seeing our reaction to them, if we are not fearful,
Emmy who is out of the famed CH Caledonia’s they shouldn’t be either. Then I look for a dog with
Crowd Pleaser (Andy) x my male CH McMatt’s as correct structure to the standard as I have; I want

78 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 1/2023