The person behind the name...
So who am I?
My name is Heidi, I'm a "40 something" mother of four own kids, and two lovely bonus kids. We live in a small town called Renko, Finland.
We live in a small farm and we currently have 3 Aussies, a Chinese crested hhl, and three hunting dogs (Norwegian elkhound, Karelian Beardog and Finnish hound). In addition to working with our Aussies, me and my husband hunt almost throughout the year with our hunting dogs.
I'm a laboratory technician, Bachelor of Laboratory Sciences and a Veterinary Nurse by education.
I've had dogs since I was 9 years old, starting out with two standard poodles, followed up by a rascal mix breed dog before bumping into Aussies.
My name is Heidi, I'm a "40 something" mother of four own kids, and two lovely bonus kids. We live in a small town called Renko, Finland.
We live in a small farm and we currently have 3 Aussies, a Chinese crested hhl, and three hunting dogs (Norwegian elkhound, Karelian Beardog and Finnish hound). In addition to working with our Aussies, me and my husband hunt almost throughout the year with our hunting dogs.
I'm a laboratory technician, Bachelor of Laboratory Sciences and a Veterinary Nurse by education.
I've had dogs since I was 9 years old, starting out with two standard poodles, followed up by a rascal mix breed dog before bumping into Aussies.
Why the Australian Shepherd?
I met my first Aussies through my classmate in 2004. I started to find out as much as I could and the more I met Aussies the more I fell in love with them. I thought about it all for six months and then contacted a few breeders and my first Aussie came home in February 2005. Rino was everything I could hope for, full of fire and action, always up for the job and not a single day was boring with him! Even at that early point I started to consider breeding Aussies one day, and that in mind I decided to make my very first own import in 2006: Pasi from Denmark.
The Aussie character has from the start had the biggest impact on me. Their will-to-please, always up for the job, and still absolutely loyal and unconditional love to their family. Aussies do also come in a big variety of appearance/structure and also character. An Aussie's appearance is a pleasure for the eye, but it was not what I fell in love with, it was the character that made the deal for me. The everlasting humor and happy character, and if they decide to play a prank, they'll do it with all their heart! Aussie humor is the best thing in the world, and not a day passes by without laughing out loud at your Aussie. The fact I also admire, is that The Aussie is so versatile, an Aussie can be a fierce worker but at home be the perfect house dog.
The Aussie character has from the start had the biggest impact on me. Their will-to-please, always up for the job, and still absolutely loyal and unconditional love to their family. Aussies do also come in a big variety of appearance/structure and also character. An Aussie's appearance is a pleasure for the eye, but it was not what I fell in love with, it was the character that made the deal for me. The everlasting humor and happy character, and if they decide to play a prank, they'll do it with all their heart! Aussie humor is the best thing in the world, and not a day passes by without laughing out loud at your Aussie. The fact I also admire, is that The Aussie is so versatile, an Aussie can be a fierce worker but at home be the perfect house dog.
Why become a breeder and what are my goals?
The thought about breeding one day came along with my first Aussie. Through my own dogs health and character issues arose the concern for the health of this great breed. Also through them came the question could I give something to this breed, could I do anything to persevere their health and great character? I started to look up all I could of hereditary diseases and breeding and took up all information I possibly could. I did get quite a lot of help and information, and the information I received, the more clear it came to me how little I know. Health is a big issue to me, and is the main thing along with character what I want to put my time and effort on. I also found out what "The perfect Aussie" would be for me. Showy, but not exaggerated; lowing and free movement, lively and full of will-to-please. I also want to emphasize a healthy "head between the shoulders", with all the nuts and bulbs exactly where they need to be. A healthy dog from head to toe. That's my goal I hope to reach.
My own Ausies are not full time herders, but nevertheless I hope to preserve this breeds normal herding instincts. I will not breed dog's to be serious herders, I want to breed versatile Aussies with the ability to do several sports and things, anything his/her owner comes up with. I aim to breed to the breed standard, Aussies with a good temper and good abilities for several sports. Aussies to bring joy to it's family for several years among home and sports.
I try to bring different and various lines to my breeding, trying to know all I can about those lines, health and otherwise. As a breeder I feel strongly about standing behind your breeding, in all that comes ahead and every breeding choice made. "Behind every sick dog is a family to whom the dog is most important and so much loved" my friend once stated, and that's something I think is important to remember.
The name Shaking Tail started from my good friend Kati Koivu's picture of my Aussie boys and it's shows Rino and Pasi's NBT tails cutely. My dog's have always been "wigglybutt's" and their tails just go on wagging, and I think the saying "you can buy a dog, but can not make it's tail wag" is such a good saying. I wanted my kennel name to represent the Aussies good mood and humor, and what better way to describe it than a happy shaking tail!
My own Ausies are not full time herders, but nevertheless I hope to preserve this breeds normal herding instincts. I will not breed dog's to be serious herders, I want to breed versatile Aussies with the ability to do several sports and things, anything his/her owner comes up with. I aim to breed to the breed standard, Aussies with a good temper and good abilities for several sports. Aussies to bring joy to it's family for several years among home and sports.
I try to bring different and various lines to my breeding, trying to know all I can about those lines, health and otherwise. As a breeder I feel strongly about standing behind your breeding, in all that comes ahead and every breeding choice made. "Behind every sick dog is a family to whom the dog is most important and so much loved" my friend once stated, and that's something I think is important to remember.
The name Shaking Tail started from my good friend Kati Koivu's picture of my Aussie boys and it's shows Rino and Pasi's NBT tails cutely. My dog's have always been "wigglybutt's" and their tails just go on wagging, and I think the saying "you can buy a dog, but can not make it's tail wag" is such a good saying. I wanted my kennel name to represent the Aussies good mood and humor, and what better way to describe it than a happy shaking tail!
In addition...
I'm a member of The Finnish Kennel Club (SKL) and passed the breeders basic course (mandatory for a kennel name) 2007 and at the beginning of 2008 signed the breeders commitment. My kennel name was accepted in February 2009. In addition I have attended and passed Agility trainer's course 1 and 2, I have C- and B-official rights to the mental description test in Finland (MH-test). I'm also a member of the Finnish Australian Shepherd Club, SuKoKa ry (Finnish breeders association). I am also a board member in the Finnish Australian Shepherd Club and a member of the breeding committee and herding committee.
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