My name is Janis Kenderdine, and I have owned Australian Shepherds since 1996.  I have had 3 of my own, and have fostered dogs for the Australian Shepherd Rescue and Placement Helpline (ARPH).  I've also titled dogs in Agility, Rally, Obedience, CGC, and as Therapy Dogs, and have offered advice to owners on training and troubleshooting various behaviors in their canine companions.

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To me, a dog is not a "pet" but a partner.  While we may not all live on ranches or homesteads requiring a stock-dog to herd sheep on a daily basis anymore, I still feel strongly about fulfilling modern roles that no computer or machine can with intelligent, healthy, long-lived, versatile canine-partners - in roles such as service-dogs, emotional-support, search-and-rescue, partners for law-enforcement, cancer-detectors, actors and entertainers as well as family companion and guardian.

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I got my first sheepdog because I wanted a fluffy friend to go on road-trips with, snuggle up with on the couch, and probably to fill an emotional void... but what I found was a companion unlike any "family dog" I had grown up with.  These breeds are known to be intuitive and intelligent far beyond that of your average lap-dog, and a true extension of a person's soul.  It is because of this that a sheepdog is far more than a simple "pet" - but a true family member and extension of the handler, deserving the respect, notice, and attention of such.

Because of their beauty, intelligence, and eagerness to please, these dogs are desired by many people - who don't always know what kind of price that entails.  I'm not talking about the purchase cost, but what it means to have a "dog" (a creature most people have the hubris and expectation to think is born servile to them) who is bred to out-think, out-stubborn, and out-endure some of the toughest conditions America has to throw at it.  A sheepdog's loyalty is almost instantaneous, as it is in its nature to care for those in its charge - but its respect is not easily earned - and that's where one can get into trouble.  So it is my first duty before even considering putting more puppies onto the planet to warn, educate, and assist those who are considering adding one of these dogs to their family, and help those who are struggling with "a lot of dog" come to a resolution in everyone's best interest.

It is such a heavy responsibility to bring new life into the world, so I am currently simply researching the ins and outs of breeding responsibly while enjoying training my English Shepherd pup as she grows up, and thoroughly enjoying her as a truly wonderful companion.  I will continue to keep an eye out for "the perfect storm" of Australian Shepherd foundation potential that satisfies my breeding goals, and will learn all that I can from experienced breeders.  In the meantime, I would encourage you to look at one of the great dogs available through the Australian Shepherd Rescue and Placement Helpline or National English Shepherd Rescue.