I think a more in depth introduction is obviously needed from the direction this thread is going...lol...so I made a tea and got myself some cookies and will try this again
I am Shawn Murray from Prince George BC Canada, about 800km (500miles) North of Vancouver. We have 6 month winters with -30c (-22F) being a usual day around here...my husband and I moved here in 2007 and had a dream of running a small farm with some livestock and a dog business. We found our 127 acres Ranch and starting Avalon Ranch Dog Adventure Camp, doggy daycare, social setting dog boarding, and dog training…in our short 5 years of owning and running Avalon Ranch we have built a solid reputation in our dog business all while working hard fixing up a 60 year old farm, showing and breeding miniature horse and in 2010 we added tending to our small flock of sheep to the “to do†list after falling in love with herding…we spend a lot of time invested in what we do. Part of this picture perfect dream for us was finding the “right†breed to help on the Ranch, be a Ambassador for my training, AND a great family pet! As noticed by many today BC’s, Kelpies, ACD’s, Shepherds, etc…can do one, maybe two of the above but rarely as a whole could any do all three…we didn’t want outdoor kennels for our herding dogs, or a mix of different breeds for the different roles (ie: bc for herding, jack russel for training, and mmm golden for family pet) we wanted one breed fits all…we spent a lot of time looking into every option, even some fancy sport mixs but found everything we were looking for in the German Coolie.
My dogs are dogs, they bark (as to how much they bark is up to the handler so yes it is a training thing, not the breed or the dog), they lick, they roll in horse and sheep poop, they jump on me (I don’t mind it), they sleep on the couch, they run (fast might I add), they like dirt, they have never met a stranger, they are smart (too much for my own good sometimes), they are talented at anything you ask them to do, they will work until their feet fall off before ever quitting on you, they love to curl up and watch multiple movies on a Sunday afternoon, they love my cats and can be at an outdoor kids waterpark enjoying the water and company without scaring crowds away with being loud, they help rehabilitate aggressive dogs and can work my 1000ft long fenceless summer pasture for the sheep without supervision (no fence, sheep graze, dog covers perimeter when sheep get too close), they play with our clients dogs at daycare like any other pup, all are healthy and our vet visits, other then yearly check ups and pre breedings have been for normal dog stuff (some stiches, branch stuck, riley nearly died from eating coyote bait) We chose this breed and then further chose these particular dogs for all of the above. Sharing all of the above is why we breed them…
We choose to follow the lead set by Australia, they created this amazing breed, kept them healthy and unique both in temperament and in working style but also in looks over the last 115 years, I really don’t think they need some North Americans coming in there and ¨sounding the alarm¨ for a rescue of their breeds health and soundness (other then merle to merle breeding) and to set “breed standardsâ€. This breed is not recognized by any major Kennel Club, Australian or otherwise and are not certified by OFA in Aus. ..(please feel free to come down on the Aus. Kennels the same way you did me anytime….anybody?! No?! ) They should absolutely not be bred merle to merle and Solid Coolies are not rare in Australia nor are they `throw backs`. They are used for sheep and cattle mainly but have recently been making a stamp in the dog sports world…in Australia…Overseas it is the opposite, few are used on sheep and cattle and most are involved in the dog sport world.
My lines are Yatahae (usa), Coolibah (aus) and Borahview (aus). Our breeding decisions are solely based on the best for the breed and the future owners. We have never had trouble placing, why would have pups at 15 weeks is simply because the right `fit` has not come along and we are not out for a quick buck…we sell our pups for $550 mostly as a statement against lucrative breeding as we therefor make literally NO money from our litters after all our expenses and call of duty, like driving 2200km (1400miles) round trip for a hand delivery. We have only been breeding from our Aus. Lines since 2011 for several reasons but the one being Akili is past the age…In our Aus.lines we have a nice background of Toolalla, Sunnyview and Mumbil breedings that I think make the perfect balance of health, drive, work, personality and off switch…obviously this is MY preference but it has been what allows me to do so much with my dogs with no conflicts…making them **** near PERFECT in my eyes…I rarely have anything to complain about when it comes to my dogs. If I did then I would not feel like they were a good fit for me and what I was looking for…so I stand behind my dogs 100% and have only had incredible success with how happy our Avalon Coolie owners are!!
In short, we are a small working ranch with working breeding pairs of an incredible Australian working breed with excellent records in producing top of the line performance dogs (agility, flyball, rally-o, dock diving, disc and SAR) with no health issues and a incredible ability of matching pups to home ensuring no poor combinations or `trending` we have a incredible scrupulous screening that actually Sara and Lindsey could not meet being unable to sign our `non breeding` close in our contract (maybe explaining this poor welcome from sara). We health test but do not certify, we do not support recognition by AKC CKC, they are German Coolies not AUs.Koolies and yes there is a difference. I only ask that my choices be respected as any others unless you have proof my choices are questionable…
… whats good enough for your breeder Sara should be good enough for me! I find your attack insulting and uncalled for….do you welcome everyone to the forum this way? Malt is the pup in question referred to by Toller and yes he is young…and referring back to his age I will say it again it is a training thing not a breed thing…it is up to the handler to decide how much is acceptable, and Malt will, like all the others, learn that with his maturity…and really I am in no `race` to be the `first` at anything…certification or other…simply sharing this amazing breed with amazing people.