SunSeeker Aussies

07/11/2024

My first BIG breed win! Ignite went Winners Dog and Best Opposite over specials from the open red class for a 5 point major this past weekend! Thank you Rick Gann for finding my young boy in the classes and amongst the specials!!

🔥ASCA Major pointed SunSeekers From The Ashes RNX GS-N JS-N RS-N "Ignite"🔥

BIS RBIS MBISS GCHS HOF CH LK Michigan's Journey Through Fire at Airam CGC DNA-VP x CH RTCH ATCH LHT Cowgirl Take Your Best Shot GS-E-SP JS-E-SP CGCU TKA SPOT-ON DNA-CP
Bred by: Jasmine Alexander
Owned By: Jasmine Alexander and Hannah Mcguire

23/10/2024

In addition to conformation and performance shows/trials a number of our dogs compete in off the grid activities such as canicross!

SunSeekers You Wish "Envy" (previously Valrhona)competed in her first canicross trail race this past weekend and was a complete superstar! Envy is also training for agility and other sports with her awesome handler, and great friend, Laura Boulton.

Canicross is an exhilarating sport and fun for both human and dog. For more information check out caninecrossusa.org:

"Canicross is a mashup of the words “canine” and “cross country” and is a team sport consisting of a person and dog who run together. Typically the person wears a waist belt, the dog a specifically designed harness, and the two are joined by an elastic line that reduces shock to both the person and dog when the dog pulls. More traditional collar and leashes are also appropriate for those who are just starting out. This is an activity that can be enjoyed by all levels and abilities. For those who take the sport more seriously, a true canicross setup will increase a runner’s speed due to the pulling action of their dog.

Canicross originated in Europe as one way for sled dogs to train in the off-season and has evolved into a stand-alone sport. Competitions started around the early 2000’s and have attracted competitors and hobbyists of all levels. Canicross clubs, organizations, and federations have helped to develop the sport, some with the goal of reaching the Olympic level. Canicross is already sanctioned by organizations that are officially recognized by some National Olympic Committees." -Canine Cross USA

21/10/2024

Some new titles for ASCA Major pointed SunSeekers From The Ashes RNX GS-N JS-N "Ignite" and ASCA Major pointed SunSeekers Bad Habits RNX GS-N RS-N "Escape"!

(Reg blocked sense this is a public page)

18/10/2024

Though we didn't attend ASCA Nationals this year the SunSeeker dogs were still hitting the rings these past few months and have a number of brags to share!

SunSeekers No Money In the Morning RN RI BN ACT1 ACT2 ACTJ CGCA "Prim"
Earned her AKC rally Advanced title and another leg towards her CD with a first and second to boot! Prim is owned and loved by Amanda Guthrie, who has done a fabulous job at training this jet fueled hotrod.
(BIS RBIS MBISS GCHS HOF Ashton x CH RTCH ATCH Ariat)

SunSeekers And Then There Were Three "Tres"
Has been hitting the agility trials and has multiple qualifying runs that I need to go refresh my memory on. 😅 Tres is a very quick minded and quick footed dog, not easy for most handlers but her owner Becky Yocom has done a wonderful job with her!!
BIS RBIS MBISS GCHS HOF Ashton x CH RTCH ATCH Ariat)

ASCA Major Ptd SunSeekers From The Ashes RNX "Ignite"
Made his ASCA agility debut last month and qualified 7 out of 10 times with multiple firsts and seconds as well as finishing his Gambler novice and Jumper Novice titles! He also had an 18 second flat jumper run.
Ignite is owned and adored by myself and co owned with Hannah Mcguire of Trinity Australian Shepherds
(BIS RBIS MBISS GCHS HOF Ashton x CH RTCH ATCH Ariat)

ASCA Major Ptd SunSeekers Bad Habits RNX "Escape"
Had a major break through since being attacked by a dog when she was just 5 months old. Her first ASCA agility trial back and she qualified 4 times, all with firsts but most importantly she was focused, trusted me and proved she's everything I knew she could be.
Two weeks later we made a last minute entry in a USDAA agility trial were she qualified 3 times with 2 firsts and a third! Escape is owned and adored by me. 🥰
(BIS RBIS MBISS GCHS HOF Ashton x CH RTCH ATCH Ariat)

SunSeekers Gonna Steal Your Heart "Bandit"
Has made quite the impression already and has qualified in three different registries: AKC, ASCA and USDAA! With multiple placements, a beautiful jumping style and clearly having a great time! Very impressive for a young dog! Bandit is owned and loved by Kathryn Cockerham

SunSeekers Hot Tamale "Molly"
My favorite from the 2023 litter, it's been a absolute joy watching her grow up and now trial! Molly has been strutting her stuff and has qualified in both ASCA and UKI with awesome placements and wins!! Molly is owned and loved by Sandy Diener

ASCA Mjr Pointed SunSeekers Resistance Is Futile RN RAX "Surge(formerly Splurge)"
Had his first ever agility run at ASCA Nationals and qualified with a first place! His owner has been extremely busy running 4 other dogs so we are awaiting more updates but last I heard he had a Jumpers run where he was flying at 6.24 yards per second! Surge is owned by Jacquie Hallenbeck and myself

We had the pleasure of getting to see SunSeekers S'more Kisses "Hershey" owned by Kathy Tucker attend his first ever agility trail over the summer and are looking absolutely fantastic! Hershey is a lot of dog and Kathy has done a wonderful job working with him, to the point he looks like a different dog in the ring! Way to go!

While Qs, wins, rosettes and ribbons are wonderful the most rewarding thing is seeing these amazing dogs having fun and living up to their potential thanks to their incredible owners. Iam so lucky to have such wonderful puppy owners in the SunSeeker family! 🥰

19/08/2024

I havent looked at the merit listings for some time so these were a welcomed surprise. Some fun year end ASCA awards! 💙

Escape did all of her runs at Nationals receiving her titles and placing each time, including "reserve" High In Trial Rally Novice at the National trial. I'm very surprised she held onto a top 5 spot for 7 months!
Scores: 199, 200, 200

Ferreros award gave me quite a shock! For a dog that isn't fond of rally he sure outdid himself and is the #1 Rally Advanced dog! I should have tried to finish his Excellent title, hes already got 1 perfect score.
Scores: 200, 200, 200

Splurges 1pt penalty cost him but still an outstanding placement for such a young and talented boy! Splurge is now co owned with Jacquie Hallenbeck and resides in Colorado with her. Look for Splurge and Jacquie taking the ring by storm later this year/next year! Scores: 199, 200, 200

I have no goals this coming year as I have a lot of young, up in coming dogs, so we are just going to train and have fun doing so! Our 2022 and 2023 litter are just starting to hit the rings and I'm greatly looking forward to watching them! Extra treats and a new toy for Miss Ariat for producing 3 merit awarded offspring. 💙

29/07/2024

Earlier this month Prim brought her A Game and garnered her first High In Trial and HIT Aussie with a 199 at the outdoor Pomerado ASC show! Her talented owner, Amanda Guthrie, has done a fabulous job with both of her dogs and Iam so thankful that she saw the same potential in Prim that I saw. 🩵 They have achieved so much already and this is very impressive for a young dog! Congratulations ladies! The first of many!!

Prim is from our 2022 Ashton x Ariat litter.
Extra cookie for mama Ariat for her first HIT earning offspring. 🩵

24/07/2024

This past Friday we welcomed a very special individual back to SunSeeker Australian Shepherds.

Ignite is immensely special to me, being my first bred by and achieving a goal at the National level that breeders work at for years and dream about. He was the 2022 ASCA Nationals Greater Atlanta PreShow Best of Breed Puppy, won his class at the 2022 ASCA National, won all the 15-18 month preshow classes he was shown in at the 2023 ASCS National, has a leg towards his BN, finished his RN and RNX at the 2023 ASCA National with first place over 90+ dogs and has a 5 point major from the 6-9 class under a senior breeder judge. We are so excited to have him home and are greatly looking forward to tuning him up and getting him out in the show ring!

SunSeekers From The Ashes RNX "Ignite" is from my first bred by litter 2022 BIS RBIS MBISS GCHS HOF Ashton x CH RTCH ATCH Ariat
Ignite is owned by myself and Hannah Mcguire

*Photo is copyrighted do not take*

19/07/2024

I thank everyone for their interest but at this time we have no litter plans for the next 2-3 years. If you are currently on the search for your next teammate and/or are looking to get on a waitlist I would be happy to guide you to some reputable, successful breeders.

We will continue to update this page with our previous litters and current dogs enjoying their life to the fullest!

Pictured: SunSeekers Can You Hear Me Now "Echo" Ashton x Ariat 2022
*Photo copyrighted*

21/06/2024

We owe it to them to provide the best life possible. Let them on the furniture, enjoy a special snack, go on adventures, get off the phone and play some tug. They are the only thing in life that loves you more than they love themselves.

04/05/2024

Great genetics are everything!

Genetics creates the stone; training carves the statue. The quality of the statue is limited by the quality of the stone.

09/04/2024

This! Success isn't given, its earned and you must believe you can do it!

Loving your dog is easy. Being passionate about the trials is easy.
Success is hard.
Improvement doesn’t happen overnight yet, with the first 2 in place + a growth mindset, you’re well set up to help success happen.

There are 5 traits that come up time and time again that can setback handler/dog teams and there are 6 things you can do to unlock you and your dogs full potential……

Setback traits include:

1. Fear of failure
2. Perfectionism (“perfect is the enemy of good”)
3. Focusing on results, rather than the process
4. Expectations are too high or too low
5. Lack of self awareness

Losing your ego and being humble does away with much of this pretty well.

When you realize if you’re not at the top, very few are watching, you don’t need to be self conscious.
‘Perfect’ isn’t attainable. Not for you, your dog or anyone else, full stop. If you strive for perfection, rather than greatness, you’ll put unrealistic and unfair expectations on your dog, likely spoil a good bit of his enjoyment, risk losing his confidence and miss lots of joy along the way.
Everyone wants to do well with their dog but some don’t want to hear that it takes years of study and dedication to be successful.
It’s the work that leads to the results.
If your expectations are too high, see losing ego above. If your expectation are too low, you’ll not reach your potential, but because you’re humble, hopefully you’ll realize that by trying, you’re already more of a champion than anyone sitting on the fence criticizing and in turn raise expectations.
Self awareness is about honest assessment. Once you can do that for yourself and for your dog, you can get help developing areas in which you or he are not inherently talented. It provides direction and is a key to improvement.

6 Tips to unlock full potential + improve your partnership:

1. Practice consistently and with intention: Clearly outline the objective of the training session bf you start. Focus on specific skills (not just ‘exercise’ for your dog). It’ll not only improve your handling but prepare your mind to react as you recognize situations, even subconsciously. It’ll also grow you and your dogs confidence.(If its not working, you might have to take a step back or revisit fundamentals)

2. Set goals: Make them specific and measurable. If you have lots of goals, sift through them. Try to limit it to 3 at a time.

3. Get feedback: From coaches, trainers, or experienced handlers to help identify areas for improvement. Get an experts input for a new exercise or next steps. It’ll help with motivation.

4. Fundamentals: Mastering the fundamentals is essential. It makes learning the more complex aspects easier and elevates your dogs confidence.

5. Watch and learn: Watch videos of yourself. Objectively. Videoing your training sessions and well as your trials can help immeasurably. It’ll influence both your goal setting and your motivation. Also watch accomplished handlers, study techniques and strategies. Get help from an expert; always be learning.

6. Believe. In yourself and your dog. Follow a proven methodology and believe in the process. Believe in the work. Believe there is not one definition of success and believe that you and your dog will be successful!

macraeway.com

06/04/2024

I nearly forgot about our currents standings for the 2023-2024 ASCA year! As always Im thankful for every opportunity and for these amazing young dogs who give their all. Yet another goal achieved! 🩵 🥰

Ferrero(Tino x Ariat):
#1 Rally Advanced
#7 Rally Novice
Splurge (Tino x Ariat):
#3 Rally Advanced
Escape(Ashton x Ariat)is still holding on to: #2 Rally Novice
Tino(Flambe x Wink):
#16 Rally Excellent Masters
#31 Rally Finals

03/04/2024

SunSeeker Australian Shepherds had an outstanding March!

Trilogys Electrifying at SunSeeker "Electra" went WB and BOW under SBJ Gail Karamalegos for a BIG 5pt major from the 9-12 class! Her first point at her first show!
(Ashton x Pink)

SunSeekers Resistance Is Futile RN RAX "Splurge" went WD under judge Felicity Trammell for a BIG 5pt major from the 12-15 class! This was also Splurges first show and won big!
(Tino x Ariat)

ASCA mjr ptd SunSeekers From The Ashes RNX "Ignite" went to his first obedience trial and was beautifully guided to a 196 for his first beginner novice Q! First place and this score gave his talented handler High In Trial Junior!
(Ashton x Ariat)

SunSeekers No Money In the Morning RN RI BN ACT1 ACT2 ACTJ CGCA "Prim" Showed up ready to rock and rumble, easily earning her beginner novice obedience title with a 198, 195.5 and 197 scores, plus a few firsts and seconds to boot! Amanda has done a fabulous job with this girl already!
(Ashton x Ariat)

SunSeekers And Then There Were Three GS-N JS-N "Tres"
- This wild thing has a go big or go home attitude and quickly achieved her ASCA Gamblers Novice and ASCA Jumper Novice titles with unbelievably fast jumper times averaging 5.37 yps! Team Embrace The Crazy 🤪 Loved by Becky Yocom
(Ashton x Ariat)

Not bad for some young dogs! We've got a few more trials and shows before it slows down for the summer and we plan on making the most of it. 🤞 Stay tuned for some hopefully exciting updates!

19/03/2024

Today we say happy 6th birthday to this amazing girl whom is the matriarch of my program. 🩵 Ariat has accomplished more then I ever imagined, 3 time champion, invited to Finals 3 times in different events, multi High In Trial, Multi High combineds, and an outstanding producer.
To date she has produced the 2022 ASCA Nationals Greater Atlanta PreShow Best of Breed Puppy and Best Opposite Puppy, 2022 ASCA Nationals Red Merle B***h puppy class winner and the solid red male class winner, the 2023 ASCA Nationals Rally High In Trial Novice winner(who was 8 months old) as well as reserve High In Trial Novice AND the 4th place winner, the 2023 ASCA Nationals CASA PreShow 15-18 class winner, the 2023 ASCA Nationals CVASC 15-18 class winner, 3 offspring awarded 5pt majors as puppies(we need to get to finishing those!), though not trialed yet my best herding dogs are from her, the 2023 AKC Agility League BOB Freshman, multiple AKC titled offspring and multiple ASCA titled offspring who are consistently getting high scores and first place with as much class and style as she did....and to think her first litter isn't even two yet. I think a steak dinner and a trip to the lake is required. 🩵

04/03/2024

Prim, SunSeekers No Money In the Morning RN RI ACT1 ACT2 ACTJ, Jumpers run. We are very proud of this young girl and have no doubt her future is extremely bright!

04/03/2024

I've also got to take a moment and brag on this dog and her outstanding owner handler. Prim has been busy adding multiple titles and Qs to her list of achievements, including ACT1, ACT2, ACTJ, Qs in AKC Novice FAST and this weekend her AKC Rally Intermediate title under "pen heavy" judges. She went high scoring intermediate all 3 days with a 100, 99, 98 in a very busy environment. Most of all look at that outstanding heel work, just beautiful for such a young dog! ❤️ Prim was also #6 in the Freshman Divison of the AKC agility league with 5 border collies in front of her. Very well done Amanda Guthrie, you saw the potential that I saw and I have no doubt you two will go far but most of all thank you for loving her as I do.
Prim is from our 2022 Ashton x Ariat Inspire Litter

Photos are property of Amanda, do not take nor use.

04/11/2023

We had a GREAT Nationals! This is just a quick recap of the amazing time and wins we had at Nationals!

SunSeekers Resistance Is Futile "Splurge" is your 2023 ASCA Nationals HIGH IN TRAIL Novice dog!! Beating out 92 other novice runs with a perfect 200 score and a time of 1:11:32, he was spectacular!! This third leg also completes his rally novice title at 8 months old! Following in his sires footsteps already. 🩵

SunSeekers Bad Habits "Escape" was reserve high in trial novice dog! With a perfect 200 score and with a time of 1:13:62 she handled like a pro and I couldnt have asked for a better performance...her typical beasty self. She has come so far since her attack from an aggressive dog less than a year ago, this week you never would have guessed! With a 199, 200, 200 that completes her RN AND RNX title! Atta girl! 🩵

SunSeekers I'll Show You That Iam "Ferrero" gave his best run yet earning a perfect 200 and completing his RN AND RNX title(199, 199, 200)!!! For an 8 month old puppy who isn't fond of rally he gave me all he had, and was his typical happy self. I love all my dogs but this puppy puts a smile on my face for no reason, he's not perfect but he sure tries to be and he is always, ALWAYS happy. 🩵

AKC major Pointed ASCA ATCH CH Emerald Isle Let's Make It Spicy RNX RAX REX RMX GS-E-SP JS-E-OP RS-E CGCA TKA FDC DNA-CP "Tino" gave me six amazing rally performances this week, for the National trial he scored a perfect 200 in Masters and a 199 in Excellent(didn't hear me say sit- 1pt for a slow to respond). I believe this completes his REM and possibly his REMX!! Unfortunately that one point made us reserve High In Trial and High Combined but I still couldn't be more happy of his performance. He has been outstanding this week despite the hot humid and freezing conditions. I couldnt have asked for better. Living up to his name...Good Judgement. New ATCH, High In Trial and High Combined at the Amigos Pre Trial, 8th in agility finals, multiple agility placements and multiple amazing scores from such a good boy. Most of all I LOVE that his puppies have his fabulous work ethic, and are unflappable, that is the cherry on top. 🩵

I can definitely say is was an AMAZING Nationals. I went into it with zero expectations and knowing I'd never surpass last year...I think it safe to say I did. 🤣 I couldn't have done it with these amazing dog by my side, Iam so lucky, so blessed and so honored to call them mine. 🩵

02/11/2023

Im behind on National updates, we're just having too much fun celebrating the best breed ever! I'm extremely proud of these three young, talented dogs. They are handling the chaos of ASCA Nationals with ease and are excelling in their events! On Monday these three blew me away with their unwavering skills at the Gem State Rally pretrial.

Splurge, SunSeekers Resistance Is Futile(Tino x Ariat) pulled the short end of the stick unfortunately and had to run the course with no warm up. That didn't phase this 8 month old puppy who powered through the course in just a little over a minute with a perfect 200 and snatching first place! He is a superfreak. 🤣

Escape, ASCA major pointed SunSeekers Bad Habits(Ashton x Ariat), gave me another outstanding performance and was awarded a perfect 200 under judge Ann McCabe. Earning her second place(by time to Splurge) and second RN and RNX leg. I'm SO proud of her, she has been incredible.

Ferrero, SunSeekers I'll Show You That Iam(Tino x Ariat), being his typical, happy go lucky self gave me a fabulous performance as usual but did over swing on a finish which caused me to hesitate and laugh. We ended up with a 199, but still good enough for fourth place!! He is always so overjoyed to work and be apart of something, I can't help but love everything about him. 💙