Page 25 - Demo

lesson, it was painfully obvious to me that she could train the dogs faster than she could train me. Terri will be working with Beau (Ch Lyric’s Showboat AX AXJ RS-E JS-E GS-N), a Billie/Schooner son, and Lark (Lyric’s Skylark, NA, NAJ), my Bea/Bronson daughter, this spring and summer. We’re hop- ing Beau will be ready for a couple of trials coming up in May. Kirsten Cole in California is a terrific all around trainer, and she is currently working with Sage (Ch Lyric’s Can’t Say No RS-N JS-N OA OAJ STDs), a Billie/Schooner daughter, and hopes to have her ready to go for her Open Sheep title in the near future.
ASJ: What advise would you give a new Aussie owner who wants to pursue performance?
LP: I’d advise them to attend a national specialty. There are some excellent educational seminars and all types of competi- tion. It’s very exciting to see so many wonderful dogs from all over the country. Then I’d suggest they look for a repu- table breeder, preferably in their area. It’s important to have a mentor, and if the mentor is also the breeder, they’ll have extra insight into the dog’s behavior. Different lines mature differently. I hate to see people give up on a young dog that may mature out of an awkward or shy stage. Having access to a good training center with quality instructors is also impor- tant.
I remember when Billie was a young, wild puppy, and I would complain to Libby Graham about her. “Oh, she’s just exuberant,” was always the response. That exuberance did come in handy later when she survived and thrived on going to countless conformation and obedience classes.
ASJ: Is there anything you are concerned about in our breed?
LP: Health issues, especially epilepsy, are a concern to me. It’s such an awful disease, and without a genetic marker it’s dif- ficult to make breeding decisions. I try to avoid lines or crosses that seem to have a higher risk of producing epilepsy.
I don’t think most Aussies thrive in a kennel situation. They are so in tune with people and like to have their very own per- son to shadow. I sell most of my puppies to companion homes where I know the puppy will get lots of attention and have a family of their own.
ASJ: Where would you like your breeding program to be in the next five years?
LP: Well, I’m actually trying to cut back. I’ve stayed small, but I would like to retire and possibly move back to California— and that will be easier and more affordable if we have fewer dogs. I can’t imagine stopping completely though.
Ch Lyric’s Satin Doll CDX RS-N NA NAJ “Sadie”
ASJ: What has been your greatest achievement in the perfor- mance ring?
LP: Anne’s VCD2; Anne (Lyric’s Grand J Autumn CDX PT TD AX AXJ) is one of the puppies from the Billie/Chance litter. She’s a wonderful dog and Kathy Kregel, her owner, has done an amazing job with her. Kathy is about to start training her for a TDX (tracking dog excellent), some more herding titles, and possibly a UD.
ASJ: What have been some of your highlights in the confor- mation ring with your personal dogs (own or co-own) and dogs you have bred?
LP: Showing Sadie (Ch Lyric’s Satin Doll CDX RS-N NA NAJ) as a special and finishing fourth in the ASCA conformation standings for the year 1999-2000 was great fun. Sadie loved to show and she was so pretty.
Pepper (Ch Lyric’s Too Darn Hot) going Winners Bitch at the 2000 USASA Nationals was a thrill, and recently AKC/ASCA Champion Lyric’s Secret of Tombstone (Pepper/Calypso) took a Best in Show from the classes in Atlanta. Secret is owned by Gay and Buddy Fussel in Georgia.
Another Pepper puppy, Bella, bred by Selena Poplin and Terri Morgan, just took a 5-point major in Denver. She was Winner’s Bitch, Best of Winners, and Best Opposite Sex over several specials from the 6-9 month puppy class.
And Tart (Ch Lyric’s Shameless), owned by Margo Jolly and another one of the Billie/Schooner kids, just finished her AKC championship in California with Andy Linton handling her. This made Billie an ROMII producer.
ASJ: What do you feel is left to achieve?
LP: I’d like to earn a MACH (Master Agility Champion) and a NATCH (NADAC Agility Trial Champion) with Lark. And I’d love to win Best of Breed at a National Specialty.
ASCA Ch. Lyric’s Here to Stay OA OAJ RS-O JS-N “Tess”
May/June 2005 The Australian Shepherd Journal 23