SUNDANCE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS
Our Story
I was born in La Jolla, California and my family always had dogs, some were purebred and others were not. My parents showed Great Danes when I was small, but the one little dog I remember best was a spotted, sweet, blue eyed dog with no tail. Her name was Rocky. My parents had gotten her from a local dairy farm when she was only four weeks old. I helped raise her and we were the very best of friends. We went everywhere together and when I went to the ranch to ride my horse, she was in her element. This was my first Aussie and she was a devoted friend. She lived until she was 14 and I still miss her to this day.
Tawnee 1974-1994
My love for this spotted dog never left my heart, and when I went to college, I purchased a registered Aussie from a rancher in the area; she was a black-tri with a lot of herding instinct. I bred her to The Dutchman of Flintridge and she produced a beautiful litter, one of which I kept. Her name was Tawnee (Ch. Bisbee Blu of Sundance). That was in 1974 and she died in late 1994, almost 21 years later. I can’t begin to tell you what we shared and experienced together. Since then, I have been raising, training, and showing Aussies in conformation, obedience, agility and herding. What a very intelligent breed they are, Versatile, unique, sportive and the all around dog. . . .they are simply the best!!
My breeding program, for over thirty years, aims to produce the “All Around Aussie”. It has sometimes been a challenge, but my main and foremost objective is to breed Aussies that are sound physically and genetically and posses the intelligence and ability to do it all. Health and longevity will not be sacrificed to achieve our goals. They must be social and a pleasure to live with. The true Aussie must be an overall representative of the breed. They need to look the part as well as behave the part! Before breeding, our Aussies have all been tested and found free from hip dysplasia (OFA’d excellent or good), eyes cleared annually and our entire breeding stock DNA profiled. In addition, they all have full dentition and scissors bite. We look for superior traits in both sire and dam which will complement each other and in turn, produce puppies that will be for the betterment of the breed. We have continued to select dogs that are strongly endowed with all of these qualities.
Our puppies are raised inside the house for optimal socialization. We spend a lot of time with them making sure that when they leave for their new homes; they are as prepared as can be for a life in normal family situations. Before leaving, all our puppies receive a vet check, vaccinations, deworming as well as have their eyes checked for any defect s by an ophthalmologist. All Sundance puppies are sold with a guarantee for health, hips and eyes.
We have worked diligently to maintain and if possible, improve upon the genetic soundness of the dogs that our line is based on and continually derived from. Along with breed type and mentality, genetic integrity is equally important to our breeding program.
Our aim is to place the right puppy in the right home. We evaluate the puppies; temperament, drive, dominance, energy level and biddability. The relationship with their new family will only thrive if the match is right!
all photos by Heidi Dahms-Foster