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.
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.
Results from the Australian Shepherd Club Nederland Kampioensclubmatch. 18 June 2017. Utrecht, Netherlands.
Championnat de France. 4 June 2017. Nantes, France.
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.