austTalKan sJeRJeT˩ Q&A
LESLIE SORENSEN Colorado Australian Shepherds
I no longer show or breed Aussies, but I’m extremely proud of what I accomplished with my Aussies—one ASCA Hall of Fame Sire, that also achieved USASA ROMX-I, 2 ASCA Hall of Fame Dams and ASCA Hall of Fame Kennel. LINDA MORE
I married Dick Sorensen in 1969 and the Australian Shep- herd became another part of my life. Dick is a founding breed- er and I had just lost my German Shepherd, a breed that my mother cherished since her involvement with them in WWII. I am an ASCA Senior Breeder Judge and did my first assign- ment in 1976. I am also AKC approved for Jr. Showmanship, Shiba Inu, Brittanys and Australian Shepherds. I love to ride horses, fish and we raise White Dorper and Dorper sheep. SUSAN LANDRY WH ITICAR
I grew up in the northeast, but now live in North Carolina. The first time I exhibited a dog was in 1954 as a kid. My original breed is Shelties. I’ve nev- er owned an Aussie, but have judged the breed since it first came in to AKC conformation competition.
NANNETTE L. NEWBURY Stonepine Australian Shepherds
I am an AKC and ASCA Senior Breeder Judge of Australian Shepherds and USASA Parent Club approved Mentor/Presenter, living in northern Florida, but born in Stuart, FL. I acquired my first Australian Shepherd forty years ago. At that time the breed was very rare. Aussies were introduced in AKC Herding Group in 1992. Their popularity has increased at
I acquired my first Australian Shep- herd in Colorado in 1973. This was a Los Rococsa-bred dog, a handsome blue merle named Traveler. This ignit- ed my passion and was the start of my participation in the breed. After liv- ing overseas I returned to California and asked to mentor with Kathy and
an alarming rate and they are currently a high-entry breed. This troubles me because they can out smart their owners! This ability to think lands them into mischief if they are not given a job to do. They are a high-energy breed, perfect for performance due to their agility, intelligence and willingness to please. Aussies are extremely affectionate and protective of their family. They are not for everyone, much like the Bor- der Collie. I have judged for the Australian Shepherd Club of America for nearly twenty-five years and have judged for AKC since 2012. I have judged in Europe and across the US for both Clubs and at regional and national specialties. 1. What five traits do you look for, in order, when judging Aussies? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed? SGP: Moderation, medium bone, foot timing, animation, bite. The hallmarks are the five listed. JH: My first traits that I give priority to would be the correct body profile and balance that says, ‘I’m an Australian Shepherd’. This is always seen from a distance looking at the exhibits. Equally important to me is to see athletic, efficient movement of a sound dog that could do the job. I want this evaluated on a loose lead and not racing. It is the only way to evaluate movement correctly, in my opin- ion. Next I want to evaluate for the correct head type. I want to see the proper proportion of muzzle to top skull as well as the breadth to the top skull and fill of the muzzle. Looking down on the head, it is very easy to see, as well as the correct ear set and size. The bite is checked front and sides with a standard that calls for full denti- tion. I can honestly say that a missing tooth has never made my decision, but I do want to factor that in as part
Alan McCorkle of Heatherhill Australian Shepherds. In 1990 I was asked to participate in the fledgling AKC parent club, USASA and wore many hats for years including editor of the Australian Shepherd Journal, membership chair and subscrip- tion chair. After studying under the founding Judge’s Educa- tion Coordinator and AKC judge, Pamela Levin, I was selected as the JEC for the club and served in that position for many years. As a perquisite for this position I obtained my approval to judge the breed in AKC. I am also a breeder judge in the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). I am a member of both parent clubs and also Del Monte Kennel Club (Pebble Beach, CA). I breed under the kennel name of Stonepine, which is located just off the coastline of Monterey, California. I am an international business consultant specializing in emerging market solutions. I studied pre-veterinary medi- cine, graphic arts, journalism and business training and development at university.
LINDA ROBEY
In the late 70s I started judging Aus- tralian Shepherds in ASCA. I’ve been judging them at AKC shows since 1998. I live in High Ridge, Missouri, which is about 20 miles outside of St. Louis. I am retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone/AT&T.
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