APPLEFIRE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS
( Formerly Applethorn Australian Shepherds)
We are a small but select kennel located in the Heart of the northern Lake District.
We are surrounded by beautiful Moutains, Lakes and farm a flock of the rare but beautiful Herdwick Sheep which are native to this area. ( Please check out the Herdwick Breeders Association for more information on this beautiful breed at http://www.herdwickbreedersassociation/ ).
Here at Wilkinsyke we also have Texel, Cheviot and Swaledale sheep, Aberdeen Angus cross cows, as well as working sheepdogs
We have Owned or Co-Owned the Top Australian Shepherd in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
2002 Crufts BOB & Group 2 2004 Crufts Best Opposite Sex 2005 Crufts Reserve Best Dog. 2007 Crufts Reserve Best Bitch 2008 Reserve Best Dog
We have also Owned or Bred the Top Puppy In Breed in 2002 ,2003 & 2006
We have also won Best In Speciality Show 6 times -
3 times at Australian Shepherd Club of the Uk Show 2001 2002 2003
3 Times at National Australian Shepherds Show 2003 2004 2007
Thanks go to :- Amy Garrison & Ellen Brandenburg ( Thornapple) and Karen & Michael Wilson( Riverwind) for sending me their best and most beautiful aussies ! Thank you to all my aussie mentors in the USA !
All our stock is hip scored, eye checked yearly, and where possible elbow scored , heart tested and patella tested and we are now in the process of Optigen testing all our breeding stock for CEA.
If any dog fails in any of the above areas or produces any problems within this criteria then they are removed from our breeding program, we believe in breeding with only the best quality individuals.
Setting these high standards has already proved fruitful- In only 3 litters the following has been achieved:-
Multiple Best Puppy In Breed Winners, Best Of Breed Winners & Best of Sex Winners, RCC winners and Group Placements at Championship Shows. The breeds first Best Puppy In Show Winner at a Championship Show.
The breeds first qualifiers in the Purina Beta Pup Of The Year Finals and The Petplan Junior Stakes Finals.
Show Certificate of Merit Winners at Open Shows and multiple Kennel Club Good Citizens Bronze, Silver & 'Gold' Award winners.
Also a fully fledged Guide Dog for the Blind.
Winner of Top Scottish Dog ( Open show league )
And our winners overseas :-
" Irish Champions " Applethorns Kiss N Tell at Meitza our first Irish Champion - Irish Champion Applethorns Antique Gold at Meitza our second Irish champion, Show certificate of merit winner and Celtic Winner '08 as well as RCC at Crufts 2008. Thank You to Owners Fiona & Mike Haslam for campaigning them to their titles.
" Swedish Champions " Applethorns Going For Gold - Lizzie on being our First Swedish Champion ! Way to go Gunilla & Lizzie ! Our second Swedish Champion our very own Applethorns Storm Force Thank you Marie-Louise Almgren for campaigning Groucho to his title, groucho also has 2 CACIB towards his International Title
Thank you to all the puppy owners for all your hard work with your dogs. I hope that your success in all areas of competition continues.
