Heart Stoppin Australian Shepherds

09/03/2025

HeartStoppin’ Nuclear Option
“Dezi”

HOF VCH WTCH AKC GCH/CH CarMel Dark Matter BN CDX RMX AFTDs AFTD-Xsdm AFTDc RRDsc x Cut’n Loose On My Way To You OTDs STDc RM CGC TKN
DOB: 03/18/2023
Red Bi
Female

This beautiful hunk is still looking for her next partner in crime! She’s fun super biddable and has energy to BURN. I have started her on her obedience/ rally journey and she wants to please so badly she is ALL wiggles the whole time. She can stack and I believe with some lessons and practice letting a judge go over her and she’ll kill it in the conformation to. VERY correct. Balance. With a cute little baby doll head. She can COVER some ground and loves to jump. I have no doubt with the right partner she would kill it in agility to. She has been started on stock and brought back slowly due to no fault of her own I’m just a terrible handler. She needs someone who is CONSISTENT, kind and patient. Someone who knows what they’re doing when it comes to stock. She is not for the novice handler. At 8 weeks she was considered a MVA prospect and I have ZERO doubt that she would make an MVA prospect still with the right person.

08/28/2025

HeartStoppin’ Nuclear Option“Dezi”March 18, 2023Red tri femaleHOF VCH WTCH AKC GCH/CH CarMel Dark Matter BN CDX RMX AFTDs AFTD-Xsdm AFTDc RRDsc x Cut’n Loose On My Way To You OTDs STDc RM CGC TKNThis beautiful girl is looking for her next partner. I would love to see her go to someone who is an experienced stock man or rancher. She would absolutely excel as a stock dog trialing in agility. I am a very novice handler and I do not think I can take her where she deserves to go. She has been started on sheep, goats and cattle and is ready to go to the next level! It takes her a bit to warm up to new people and new surroundings but once you are her person that you have a right hand for LIFE. She is a beautifully built bitch and I cannot wait to see where she will go.

08/24/2025

While working on quite the labor of love the last few months I have neglected updating my own website. Here are some highlights!

RATCHET - has earned more points towards his championship and only needs 1 major and 4 points! We have put everything on HALT until he earns this but dont you fret! We have been training heavily with dear friends Sunseeker Australian Shepherds & Cut'n Loose Stockdogs and we will be READY to rock and roll in Agility this year, hoping to start on stock next year.

QUEENIE - While Queenie has taken some time off to mature I am VERY happy with how she has progressed. We plan on showing her in rally in November and HOPEFULLY will also start in agility and stock beginning of next year, maybe even conformation if she continued to progress. She is proving to be very very biddable and her willingness to please rivals even her mother.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR SOME SPECIAL PLANS END OF 2026

HEIFER - still just along for the ride Heifer is maturing nicely and I hope to start showing her in rally next year. We have only just started her agility training and I Am also HOPING to show her in conformation depending on how things progress. Having a singleton was a bit of a challenge and it has taken us awhile to get on the same page but we are getting there.

NIA - unfortunately I have decided to retire nia from all showing in all venues. Keeping her happy is more important to me than doing surgeries or all the things just to keep her sound to show. While she loves to show she loves being my lap dog more. She will be spayed soon.

DEZI - Dezi (formally Lizzie) will remain owned by HeartStoppin Aussies until a good home is found. Until then she is being co-owned by Cut'n Loose stock dogs and will continue her stock training under the guidance of Jamie Burns. If she is to go anywhere we will be very picky where she goes.

heartstoppinaussies.com

Send a message to learn more

08/14/2025

08/01/2025

Not only is he having fun in the obedience rally ring but getting his start as a stock dog as well. What a beautifully balanced young man the future is bright with this one!

Hardy is owned by Sara Almese
Bred by HeartStoppin Aussies
Carbon x nia

07/25/2025

What is it like owning an Aussie you may ask

It’s like this…

07/25/2025

Always the first one to the ball. And always comes right back with it for more.

07/17/2025

Took us a bit to get on the same page but we’re finally getting there. Leash work is fun. Working with mom is fun! I even got a few down stays and some “finish” and “arounds” thrown in. What a good girlie.

HeartStoppin’ Big Shot “Heifer”
Rubin x Nia

07/06/2025

Best in Show ≠ Best for the Breed

Why Top Show Dogs Aren’t Always Top Breeding Dogs

It’s a question that often divides breeders, judges, and fanciers alike:

Are the best show dogs really the best breeding dogs?

The answer—when stripped of glamour and ribbons—is often no. And not because show dogs lack quality, but because the system rewards what catches the eye, not always what sustains the breed.

Let’s unpack that.

The Problem with “The Look”

The show ring often favors flash. A dog with exaggerated features—whether it’s coat, reach and drive, head size, or extreme angulation—stands out under the lights. Judges, like all humans, are susceptible to what looks impressive in motion or in profile. This doesn’t mean they’re failing—it means the system favors visibility over subtlety.

But exaggeration often comes at a cost:
• That ultra-long neck? May compromise breathing or balance.
• That extreme rear? May lead to joint strain or instability.
• That massive head? May affect whelping ease or overall mobility.

These dogs may excel in competition, but that doesn’t mean their genes will move the breed forward.

Breeding is Bigger Than a Rosette

Breeding should prioritize:
• Correct structure, not just dramatic movement.
• Stable, predictable temperaments suitable for the breed’s function.
• Health, fertility, and longevity, not just short-term wins.
• Function over flash—especially in working or performance breeds.

When a breeder uses a top-winning dog as a stud just because it’s a Champion or BIS winner, they may be breeding toward a show image—not toward the breed’s future.

When a Title Doesn’t Mean Competition

Here’s a hard truth in dog sports:
You can finish almost any dog if you’re willing to travel, spend money, and play the system.

That’s why we can only talk about meaningful wins when:
• The breed entries are large enough to create real competition.
• The dogs defeated are of known, high quality.
• The judges have a reputation for prioritizing breed type over showmanship.

A Champion title earned in a sparsely entered ring or against mediocre dogs doesn’t prove breed worthiness—it proves effort, money, and strategy.l

So, What Makes a Dog “Breed Worthy”?

Not just a title. Not just a win photo.

But a total evaluation:
• Structure, health, and temperament.
• Pedigree depth and predictability.
• Ability to contribute something meaningful to the next generation.

Sometimes that dog is a Champion. Sometimes it’s a moderate, sound, unremarkable mover who will never catch a judge’s eye—but will consistently produce puppies that are better than herself.

That’s breeding.

Dog shows can be a valuable tool. But they are just one piece of the puzzle. A great show dog may sometimes be a great producer—but only when paired with purpose-driven, honest breeding decisions.

If the ribbons are blinding you to faults, if the glamour outweighs the genetics—it’s time to step out of the spotlight and back into reality.

Because a breed isn’t built on what wins today.
It’s built on what thrives tomorrow.

Copied and shared from another post. :)

05/29/2025

Perfection

04/27/2025

Congratulations Samantha Kirby and Copy for being ASCA POINTED!

The second of Nias pups to be pointed in conformation!

Heartstoppin' Duplicate Print RN

(HOF SVCH GCHS SDCH FTCH AKC GCH ASCA CH CarMel Dark Matter UD RMX RTDsc PATDsc DNA-VP "Carbon" x Cut'N Loose On My Way To You OTDs STDc REX RM CGC TKN DNA-CP "Nia")