Our Story
Rooted in a Love for the Breed. Committed to Its Future.
Our story with Australian Shepherds began long before Crickhollow became a breeding program. For my husband, that connection started on his family's dairy farm, where he grew up with an Australian Shepherd named Sparky. Through those early experiences, he developed an appreciation for the breed's intelligence, versatility, and natural working ability. For me, that journey began with Blue, an Australian Shepherd who introduced us to the rewarding world of therapy work through Therapy Dogs International. Through that experience, we saw firsthand the remarkable connection these dogs can build with people and developed an even deeper appreciation for their temperament and adaptability.
Over time, our shared appreciation for the breed grew into a desire to learn more about what makes a truly well-rounded Australian Shepherd. That interest eventually led us into conformation and the world of showing, giving us the opportunity to study the breed standard, evaluate our dogs, and continually expand our knowledge.
Outside of the show ring, we enjoy a simple farm lifestyle, tending to our small hobby farm where we grow garlic and raise chickens for fresh eggs. Our Australian Shepherds are right alongside us in the everyday routines of farm life, making themselves part of everything from daily chores to family downtime. They aren't just our show dogs or breeding dogs; they're our companions and an important part of our family.
Our children are also actively involved in the sport, including competing in Junior Showmanship. We love sharing our passion for these dogs as a family and believe the experiences, responsibilities, and lessons that come with raising and showing dogs are something truly special.
Our breeding philosophy is rooted in preservation. We believe in protecting the qualities that make the Australian Shepherd what it is: an intelligent, versatile, capable, and well-balanced breed. Our goal is to produce dogs that are not only beautiful representatives of the breed standard, but also sound in body and mind, with the temperament and ability to thrive in the many roles Australian Shepherds fill today.
Every breeding is carefully considered. We evaluate our dogs honestly, study pedigrees, prioritize appropriate health testing, and thoughtfully consider how each dog can complement another. We believe responsible breeding requires more than simply loving the dogs you produce. It requires knowledge, continued education, careful selection, and a willingness to always learn.
We maintain a small breeding program because our priority is never the number of puppies we produce. It is the quality, health, temperament, and future of the dogs we bring into the world. Our goal is to make thoughtful contributions to the future of the Australian Shepherd while preserving the qualities that made us fall in love with the breed in the first place.
