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Picture
Photo courtesy of Phil Wildhagen
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Wildhagen’s Thistle of Flintridge Hall of Fame

Call name: Thistle
Born: 1971
Sire: Sisler’s John   
Dam: Heard’s Chili of Flintridge 
Breeder: Dr. Weldon Heard, Flintridge   
Owner: Phil Wildhagen, Bonnie-Blu 


Thistle was a lovely bitch with ground-breaking breed type. She had a beautiful profile, solid topline, balanced angulation and moderate bone. Her head and expression set a new standard of perfection. In addition to her excellent structure, Thistle had a wonderful temperament.

There’s an old saying, “A well-constructed dog is like a cleverly-made hunter—short of back and standing over a lot of ground.” Thistle certainly fit that description. 

Thistle and her kennelmate, CH Wildhagen’s Dutchman of Flintridge CDX HOF “Dusty,” were two of the most influential dogs in present-day show bloodlines. They had three litters together,producing offspring that redefined Australian Shepherd breed type. Thistle’s genetic contribution was shared with Dusty, and their illustrious offspring are listed on page four of Unforgettable Aussies (available at the link below).


Thistle was a remarkable producer. She passed her genetic strength not only to her sons, but especially to her daughters and granddaughters. 

Along with their well-known sons, Thistle and Dusty produced two outstanding daughters. They were: 
CH Briarpatch of Bonnie-Blu CD HOF, dam of:
  • CH Fieldmaster’s Cast the Die HOF
  • CH Fieldmaster’s Key to the Mint
  • CH Fieldmaster’s Home Brew
CH Patch-Work Quilt HOF, dam of: 
  • CH Briarbrook’s Center Ring HOF
  • CH Overby’s Heather of Bonnie-Blu, great-grandam of:
  • CH Fieldmaster’s Blue Isle Barnstormer ROMX-III

Thistle’s granddaughters through her son CH Sunshine of Bonnie-Blu CDX HOF made a tremendous impact on the breed. They were:
  • CH Afterthought of Windermere HOF
  • CH Moonshine of Windermere HOF
  • CH Windswept of Windermere CD HOF, dam of: 
      CH Brigadoon’s California Dude CD HOF
      Windswept was the grandam of:
      BIS BISS AKC ASCA CH My Main Man of Heatherhill ROM-III HOF
     CH Oprah Winfree of Heatherhill HOF
     BIS BISS CH Bayshore’s Flapjack HOF

Thistle’s influential granddaughter through CH Sundown’s Maize of Bonnie-Blu was:
  • CH Vanlandingham’s Ebony Lace HOF
Thistle’s profound influence on the breed continues to this day. Her name can be found in many pedigrees of today’s conformation show dogs.
Photos of five of Thistle's descendants. Mouse over or click on each picture to see their names and dates of birth.

READ MUCH MORE about Thistle in Unforgettable Aussies!

This story an excerpt from Chapter 2 in Unforgettable Aussies: Australian Shepherd Dogs Who Left Pawprints on Our Hearts by Paula McDermid. To order click on the button below.
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