Yup, same thing I asked before... is there going to be a governing body (KC) established with a standard and code of ethics to adhere to prior to breeding?
Yes!! I hope so!! I would love to start an actual kennel club here in the states once there is more of a population. A code of ethics will be part of that. Prior to breeding? Who knows. I would love to have on started by then, but it really is reliant on the popularity of the breed.
This is what I took it as, as well. How do you plan to keep the temperament and structure of this herding/ranching breed when most homes you would cater to in the USA are not herding/ranching homes. Or, are you hoping that C/Koolies are very versatile dogs that are perfectly capable of doing a variety of sports without much change in structure/temperament. Or if something does have to be changed, what your goals are in your breeding program. That sorta thing, I suppose.
And if there will be any Breed Club, or is there one in the US already? Would you seek out AKC recognition or no?
I think I answered the first one somewhere above. The breed is very versatile, but again, herding will be an important aspect of this. Even though I like agility more.
I hope we don't seek out AKC recognition to be honest. It's not something I want to be a part of.
Have you thought about or found a mentor over here that maybe ranches with a breed that works in a similar fashion? (I'm not even really sure if there is one)
I work with a herding instructor that is local to me, but even she "borrows" the sheep and the ranch that we use. It's just not a feasible option here. One day, I hope to own acreage where we can keep a decent head of sheep. That'll be in the future though.
You have to hope other people will follow your lead or this will fizzle out quite quickly. And as others have already asked, who decides on what standard you achieve? Ranching ability is different to sporting? Etc etc. Which I guess is why breed clubs and standards come in.
Why do you want to breed? Who for? Where do you see it going?
I like koolies. My oh wanted one till I told them there are none in the UK (based on trav pics!), but having seen new breeds go tits up in the UK I know how hard this is to be fair. It's a lifetimes work, a few breedings by 3 health tested dogs is a drop in the ocean. There needs to be almost a business plan in place!!
Are there other people on board?
I agree, we have to hope for others to import or others to start health testing. Otherwise, if it fizzles out, it won't be for a while and one of us would be ready to import again.
The standard would be decided by the breed club and it's members. Which is a huge reason why I want to wait until there is a healthy population of these dogs here before starting one. I want unbiased decisions, I want a board to decide things with members voting.
As far as a business plan, you are looking at it. This is an adventure, we don't know where it's going to go. All I know is that this breed is awesome, it fits a niche and I want to be able to share them with the people who adore them.
That is how I meant it. I don't have an issue with breeding for sports either, per say... and I also don't have an issue with breeding for pets. I was just curious what the ultimate goal would be, and what the dog would be classified as if they're no longer used as a herding dog?
Again, I answered this a few times above. They will see herding, not as much as if they lived on a sheep ranch, but I can only do what I can.