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and Eric Brickson |
©2004-08 - Imagineer/Gemini Sasson-Brickson
All Rights reserved. All photographs and narratives from this web site are
copyrighted and can only be reproduced with written permission from the author.
ASCA Hall of Fame Kennel #63!
| In living with and being involved with this uniquely talented breed, we have developed clear ideas about what traits we choose to preserve. Intelligence, willingness to please, working ability and athleticism are as much a part of the goals of our breeding program as striving for proper breed type and correct, functional movement, regardless of show ring fads. |
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It has always been our aim to develop a bloodline representative of true, unexaggerated Aussie type, with self-thinking ability. Our foundations are based on Ch. Lineriders Imagineer of Dakota CD, CGC and Ch. Starstuff's Still Crazy CD, STDsd, CGC (see The Past page). We work to preserve the traditional and working bloodlines, because they represent the reasons this breed was developed in the first place and their presence helps to preserve much needed genetic diversity.
Ours is a breeding program with a long-term goal. As we work to make the Aussie everything it should be, we realize first and foremost that a dog must have a trustworthy, predictable temperament and be healthy. Titles and "pretty" are worth nothing without that. Genetics, however, are a very complicated science and we are far from knowing all the answers to producing the perfect dog. As breeders and dog lovers, Eric and I never stop educating ourselves and are always thinking years and years ahead.
| Championships alone should not determine a dog’s worth in a breeding program. While physical attributes may define a dog's type, heart is what gives him the desire to do his job. Loyalty is what makes him your best friend. Health is what makes his stay with you an enduring one. We strive to produce the best in all these areas. |
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We are constantly assessing each dog’s trainability, instincts and willingness to please. Many times people are amazed to know that a very focused, fast agility dog or a talented, high-scoring working dog can actually be a laidback house dog, but that's the kind of dog we like and they honestly do exist. In the summer of 2000 we moved to a place on six acres, with plenty of pasture, where we run a small flock of Barbados X Dorper sheep which we train some of our dogs on.
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Eric and
I have been actively involved with our dogs since 1987: therapy visits
with the elderly, Frisbee competitions, agility, obedience, conformation,
tracking, and herding. Imagineer has bred dogs titled in all areas. Eric and I are ASCA provisional breeder judges.
Left: Our son and Hey You! of Imagineer OTDc, STDsd, CD, BH (owned by Mirjam Walter) |
In the past Eric served as president of the Ohio Valley Australian Shepherd Club and I served as club secretary and affiliate representative. I have served as president, treasurer and affiliate representative for Greater Ohio ASC. I am a former president of the Buckeye Australian Shepherd Club and former Chairperson of the ASCA Conformation Committee. We are members of the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) and have been active in our local obedience club. We are honored to be able to judge ASCA conformation shows across the U.S.
Both of us are graduates of Wright State University - Eric's degree is in mechanical engineering and mine are in secondary science education and biology. In real life (no, we don't make a living playing with dogs, unfortunately), Eric is a mechanical engineer in the manufacturing industry and I coach track and cross country and write historical fiction (as N. Gemini Sasson - click on the button below to read some excerpts from my stories about Robert the Bruce of Scotland).
| All our breeding stock is OFA'd and have their eyes checked yearly. Litter eye checks are done between five and eight weeks of age. Health and genetic soundness are of vital importance to us. |
NL Ch. War Drum of Imagineer STDsc, JW '97, W '98, W '99, UV (Owned by Joost Boer & Klaske Bouma) |
***We are proud
supporters of ASCA's fledgling Altered Conformation Program. By virtue of
this bold new program, you can now compete and earn a breed championship through
ASCA with your spayed or neutered dog. We believe this opportunity will open
up new avenues, especially for those competing in performance arenas with their
dogs who don't want the distraction or added responsibilities of owning an
intact animal.
| Puppies may be reserved by deposit when we have litters on the way. Registration is required at time of sale and we heartily encourage all buyers to become ASCA members, if they aren't already. |
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Aussies Always,
Gemi Sasson-Brickson