Unforgettable Aussies
  • Home
  • Books
  • Reviews
  • Stories
    • Dusty
    • Thistle
    • Sunny
    • Bonzo
    • London
    • Dude
    • Flintridge Aussies
  • Contact

Australian Shepherds Cross the Atlantic.

9/18/2017

 
Picture
I wanted a dog. It was 1980 and I hadn't seen a purebred Australian Shepherd, but I'd heard they were super-smart, talented, and basically the Best Dogs Ever. An Aussie show was announced in my local newspaper and I went to watch. I came home with two puppies. That's how easy it was to get hooked on the breed.

Aussies
are The Best Dogs Ever. People outside the U.S. noticed and wanted them too. In the 1970s, Aussies began making their way across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. Some of the first dogs went along with Quarter Horses to the Circle L Ranch in Germany. In the mid-1980s Aussies were exported to the United Kingdom, and the breed's popularity spread throughout Europe. Aussies were in demand elsewhere in the world too. Dogs were also sent to Australia, South Africa and Israel in the 1970s.
Picture
Gold Nugget Crimson Delilah. Born 1983. Imported to the UK in Sept. 1985 by Brian and Lianell Juecstock. Delilah was in whelp to Jokers Wild Sapphire Sampson. The Juecstocks imported two other Aussies at the same time.   ​
Picture
Gefion's Fire On Ice. Born 1984. By Gefion's Man From Atlantis x Gefion's Sample's Cracker of L7. Imported to the UK Feb. 1987 by Winnie (MacIntyre) Brown. Fire was in whelp to Multi CH Bayshore's Three To Get Ready.  ​
Picture
BISS CH Steal The Show of Bainbridge. Born 1984. Imported to the UK Feb. 1987 by Winnie (MacIntyre) Brown. By CH Fieldmaster's Three Ring Circus x CH Cassia of Wyndham.
Picture
Gefion Ohtobe A Scarlette Star. Born 1985. By CH Beauwood's Out Rustlin' Bear HOF x Gefion's Ohtobe Gorgeous. Imported to the UK in Dec. 1987 by Winnie (MacIntyre) Brown. Scarlette was in whelp to CH Brigadoon's California Dude. ​
​
Information about the above dogs was from the UK National Australian Shepherd Association brochure printed in 2002.

A significant number of Aussies from many U.S. kennels were exported in the 1980s and 1990s. In Europe, these various bloodlines were combined, resulting in uniquely European pedigrees. My first exposure to European Aussies was in 2004, when I judged a show in Germany. Since then I've had the privilege of judging many times on the Continent and in the UK, and have enjoyed watching the development of the breed over time.

My recent judging assignments have been Club Specialty shows in Germany, France, and Netherlands. I also watched the French All-Breed National Specialty and visited Aussie breeders' homes to get a closer look at pedigrees and breeding programs in Europe.

The following dogs are some of the best I've seen during my travels.
​

AUSSIES IN FRANCE
Results from the Nationale d'Elevage Club Francais des Bergers Australiens. 27-28 May 2017. Cerilly, France.
Picture
Best in Show and Best Opposite were very well constructed, typey dogs. 
Picture
Best Veteran and Best Opposite Veteran. It was a pleasure to see veterans in such excellent health and condition.
Picture
Two lovely class bitches in the lineup at Cerilly. ​
​
AUSSIES IN GERMANY
Picture
CH Rafter Creek’s EZ Valentine Day. Born 2012. German Club Champion, VDH Champion, Swiss Show Champion, VDH European Winner, CASD Club Winner, Most Versatile Australian Shepherd 2017. By Blaze x CH Mill Creek’s American Express. Son of CH Broadway's Blaze of Glory. Photo courtesy of Claudia Bosselmann. Photo taken in 2013.
Picture
Class bitch with excellent breed type. Club fur Australian Shepherd Deutschland e.V. Donaueschingen, Germany. Photo taken in 2010.
Picture
Promising puppy at 8 weeks old. Born 2017. By BIS BISS Multi CH McMatt's Blue Graffiti x Multi CH Cool-Paws Amazing Shooting Star BH RO-B RO-1 OB O1 DNA VP CHR. Photo credit: Author.
​
AUSSIES IN MALTA
Picture
INT CH Saussurea Spellbound. Born 2009. By VWW 2010, EW 2006, AKC CH Thornapple Oh Brother x Res.WW 2008, Multi CH Sunnyrain The Star At Saussurea. Great-great-granddaughter of CH Bayshore's Lucy In The Sky HOF. Photo courtesy of Leeandra Mifsud Mizzi. Photo credit: Dennis Mifsud. ​

AUSSIES IN THE NETHERLANDS
Results from the Australian Shepherd Club Nederland Kampioensclubmatch.
18 June 2017. Utrecht, Netherlands.  
Picture
Best in Show and CAC. CH Terra-Blue Carmel Heart. Born 2013. By CH Echo Lake Merlin Rouge x Terra-Blue Kiss Me I'm Irish. ​​Photo credit: Birgit Kornet.
Picture
Best Opposite and CAC. Skyron Devil's Advocate. Born 2016. By CH McMatt's Graffiti Kiss Me Now x JCH Tryfecta Game On @ Skyron! Great-granddaughter of CH McMatt's EZ Going. ​​Photo credit: Birgit Kornet.
Picture
Jeugdklas Bitch Excellent 2. Happy Spark Dragon Princess. Born 2016. By Multi CH Blue Isle's Bourree x Multi CH Happy Spark Apple Blossom. Great-granddaughter of CH Broadway's Blaze of Glory. ​​Photo credit: Birgit Kornet.

AUSSIES IN SPAIN
Picture
BIS BISS AKC Multi CH McMatt’s Blue Graffiti. Born 2006. World Winner. By AKC-INT-ASCA CH McMatt’s EZ Going OA NAJ ROMX-II x CH Graffiti Garnet Rose. Photo courtesy of Cristina Freixes Cau Fosca. Photo credit: Author.
Picture
JRBIS AKC-ES-LUX CH Caufosca Your Coupit Name. Born 2015. By BIS BISS AKC GCH Copperridge Fire in Bayouland x BIS AKC GCH Bayouland Fleur de Lea. Great-granddaughter of CH Broadway's Blaze of Glory. Photo courtesy of Cristina Friexes. Photo credit: Jeffrey Hanlin.
​
MORE AUSSIES IN FRANCE
Championnat de France. 4 June 2017. Nantes, France.
Picture
A magnificent dog. MBIS-World Winner 2016-Multi CH-INT CH Risingstar Royal Flash Dcd Energies. Born 2009. By Multi CH-INT CH Risingstar’s Heaven Sent RN x Outlaws Million Dollar Baby. Great-grandson of CH Broadway's Blaze of Glory. Photo courtesy of Ludovic Gerona and Kerstin Patzold. Photo credit: Author.
Picture
Lineup of class bitches competing for the CAC at the Nantes show.
Picture
Jumpin’ Jack Flash Du Val D’Aury. Born 2014. By SR-INT CH Meadowlawn Boreal Night x SR CH Easy Way Out of Des Minis Toons. Photo courtesy of Isabelle Guillot. Photo credit: Author.
​
Over the years, many high-quality Aussies have been sent from the U.S. to Europe. I've recently noticed that European-bred Aussies are being sent back to the U.S. as breeding stock, which adds an interesting twist to the story. Although Aussies originated in the U.S., the breed is now loved all over the world. Because Aussies are the Best Dogs Ever.

There are many more European Aussies featured in Volume II of Unforgettable Aussies. These photos give you just a taste of what you can expect.


Aussies and Adventures in Europe:  The Journey Begins.

4/7/2017

 
Picture
On April 28, I'll head to Europe. My home base will be on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, and I'll be traveling all over Europe. I'll judge and attend shows, visit Aussie breeders, and videotape and photograph their dogs, whose pedigrees trace back to famous Australian Shepherds in the U.S. I'll also explore the cities I visit and discover the best places to eat and gorgeous sites to see.

Join me on this grand adventure as I share my experiences and photos with you!
Picture
​First stop is Bonn, Germany, where I'll judge an Aussie Specialty. After the show I'll play with a litter of puppies sired by BIS BISS Multi CH McMatt Blue Graffiti "Garrett."​ The litter will be five weeks old, and you know there's nothing cuter than baby Aussies at that age! I'll capture them on video so you can enjoy them too!
Picture
​Next stop is Barcelona, Spain. There I'll meet “Garrett,” take photos and videos of him, and have a chance to talk to his owner, Cristina Freixes. She's the driving force who is introducing Aussies to her country, and her dogs have been very successful in the show ring. 
Picture
After photographing Cristina's lovely dogs, I'll head into downtown Barcelona to enjoy sights in the city and eat delicious local fare at the charming tapas restaurants. Then it's on to Valencia to photograph stunning Moorish architecture, and more exploration of villages along the Mediterranean coastline. 
Picture
My third stop is in Cerilly, France, where I'll judge the French Aussie Club's National Specialty. Following that, I'll travel to the Cote d'Azur (French Riviera) and meet Aussie breeders from that region. Their breeding programs will be fascinating, and I'll document their dogs in photos and videos to share with you. Sailing on the Mediterranean and sampling local wines are on the agenda, too.
Picture
​And there's even more! (This all takes place the first month I'm in Europe.) I'll head to Nice, France, to watch the French National Dog Show. It will be the perfect opportunity for me to be a “ringside judge,” meet and take photos of European Aussies, and chat with Aussie breeders from all over the country.

After this whirlwind of experiences, it will be time to head back to my home in Spain. There will be a lot of photo and video editing to do, Spanish language classes to take, salsa dancing, and enjoying my new life.

My plans include trips to southern Germany, Switzerland, and Italy to see the wonderful sights and get to know Aussie breeders in those countries. Next spring I'll be judging a show in Sydney, Australia, and will explore that country and it's neighbor, New Zealand. Many more countries entice me, so stay tuned as I travel the world!


Follow me on this wonderful journey! 
​ 

      Don't miss a thing! 
      Pop your email in the box below and I'll let you know once a month about my fun new posts.

    YES. Sign me up!
    Picture

    Paula McDermid

    I love Australian Shepherd dogs and travel! Join me as I explore Europe, meet Aussies and their owners, and discover exciting places you'd love to visit.

    I moved to Europe from the U.S. in May 2017 and haven't looked back! My dream is to share with you the exquisite beauty of castles, cathedrals, and communities in the Old World. 

    I hope to inspire you to chase your own dreams. Come and explore with me!


    Categories

    All
    Adventure
    Architecture
    Art
    Auckland
    Australia
    Australian Shepherd
    Barcelona
    France
    Germany
    Holidays
    Moving To Europe
    Netherlands
    New Zealand
    Practical Matters
    Spain
    Tattoo
    Travel
    United Kingdom
    Valencia
    Wine

Site updated 01 March 2023    
ALL CONTENT AND PHOTOS IN THIS BLOG ARE PROTECTED BY OFFICIAL COPYRIGHT FROM THE UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT OFFICE.
​Copyright 2023 © All Rights Reserved. Paula McDermid / Bainbridge Press. www.paula-mcdermid.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of material on this website is strictly prohibited without express and written permission from this site’s author/owner. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Paula McDermid and www.paula-mcdermid.com with a link to the original content.  PRIVACY POLICY