alright here is my theory...and i am on my way out for New Years Eve right now, so I will see if i am banned in the New Year...
I think we can say we know i do not certify...ok..sorry but i dont, you can be ok with that or not, i mean sara and lindsey were ok with it to bring their k/coolies of choice....so i think this is a distraction from some of the other questions out there...how loud are they? what kennels do your coolies come from? are solids rare in australia? why the differences in coat? why the differences in name (and it is more then just "breeder preference")
Zinga is loud, we have been working on teaching her a quiet cue and also to show her frustration in other ways. She has a natural tendency to bark when frustrated, playing, excited and in other stimulating situations. She does not really alert bark. I do not like barking and have worked hard on limiting it as much as I can.
Zinga is from Toolalla Koolies, bred by Richie out of Holly and Loco. Yes, a very closely linebred litter which was bred merle to merle. I trust Richie with his 40+ years of experience and felt the pros of his dogs outweighed what I feel to be cons in his breeding program. I talked to many people with his dogs that excel in the sports I am currently training Zinga in.
Solids are not rare, however, breeding merle to merle is quite prominent. For a long time in the breeds history, solids were culled or labeled as kelpies instead of believed to be koolies. This however is not the case now.
I don't know why the difference in coat, I do know that breeders of koolies along with other herding breeds tend to breed for working ability above anything else, rarely focusing on looks. So I can imagine it was a breeder preference. I know I prefer the short coat koolies.
The differences in the name is because the breed is thought to have originated in German and then was imported into Australia. In the early writings found about this breed, they are labeled as German Coolies, most likely from a weird pronunciation of collie. Because the Australian Koolie Club felt that the breed developed more in their country and to give it an identity to reflect that they decided to opt for the other name, Australian Koolies. According to the majority of breeders in Australia, regardless of club affiliation, there is no difference in German Coolies and Australian Koolies.
Have I proved myself worthy of owning this breed now? I am new to this breed, I plan on learning and absorbing everything I can from a large variety of people involved before I ever plan on breeding. So I'm not really sure what you are trying to prove.
Can you please answer the questions the other forums members have asked? Specifically about the hip dysplasia in your dogs?
ETA: I better add something about Zip before you assume the worst. Zip Tie is coming from Kylie, he is bred from Toolalla Skandal and Lanes Creek Shake N'Shiva. Yes, Skandal shares a similar parent with Zinga, however, calculated out the inbreeding coeffecient will be 7%, which I feel is an ok number. I also feel that I will limit the chance of any hereditary health issues by properly screening for those that I can. I will not breed if either dog develops any health or behavioral problems. I will not breed if I don't have a reason too, or if I don't think the puppies would be an asset to the future generations. As far as if Zip barks? I heard he's already pretty darn vocal.