I am a firm believer that the woman I got Trixie from was breeding to fine standards. All of her dogs were not only registered, but she actively showed them and worked them daily on her ranch. I rescued Trixie from a woman the breeder sold a puppy to. Found the woman beating Trixie in a
wal-mart parking lot when Trixie was just a few months old. Since the day I stashed her in my front seat and she peed all over my suburban, I have been in love.
Trixie also has no health problems... that weren't brought on by traumatic events. Her knees would still be good ( this is per my vet ) if she hadn't have shattered them at such a young age... Long story short, she fell. Hard. Trying to get to me down a ravine.
As far as her weight problems? Trixie was spayed in a hurry. At three, she had a prolapsed uterous. Straight to the vet she went. As she healed, her weight tripled. The hormones never adjusted right and caused some sort of thyroid issues.
She has been the best and worst of dogs. Saved my life so many times I couldn't count. We didn't actually bond until she was about a year or so. At least, I didn't bond with her until then.
I had wanted an ACD for a few years. Finally got one, even if I had to steal her from an abusive owner. Hated Trixie from the start... My own fault. Every time someone raised their voice she peed all over herself. She would attack you if you tried to pull her from her kennel, she had to come out willingly. Months went by and I eventually gave up on her. This was until my childhood dog ( a German Shepherd named Chance ) passed. Within that week, I lost ALL seven of my hunting dogs in freak accidents while out hunting. Just like that, I was stuck with liking her. So I started dragging her with me when I would go running. She went horseback riding with me. Made cross country trips with me in my truck, stole my food out of my goody bags on road trips. And over all our ups and downs, we began to bond. I finally gave Trixie a job. She would help me herd the goats and the sheep. One day, I woke up and found Trixie in my bed instead of in her kennel. For the past six years, she has been either at my feet or within eye sight of me at all times. No one, and nothing, can come between us now. We are very strongly bonded. I am hers, she is not mine.
When I was 17, Trixie saved my life for the first time. She went and got help after my crazy horse threw me down a cliff. But this wouldn't be the last. When I was 18, Trixie licked my face until I regained consciousness after
another a nasty horse riding accident. She stayed with me and kept me warm until help arrived, but then wouldn't let my help get near me... lol. The last time Trixie saved me was just two years ago by being my mental support while my whole world came crashing down and was ripped out from under me. I go very few places without her.. Wouldn't be here without her.
Once again here lies the problem, I have no objection either although I do not wan these off colors accept. The breeders who have these dogs do NOT DNA test for PRA, BAER test for full bilateral hearing or OFA for hip and Elbow displasya. That is my huge beef . RESPONSIBLE breeders do these expensive tests as well as promote good temperament! Does anyone really want to buy a dog that is deaf, or could go blind or develop displasya. That is what I am worried about. I guess it is a personal choice, get a dog who can see and hear and live a 12-15 year lifespan or go for the crapshoot. I have seen way too many farm heelers who are blind and deaf for my liking.
And believe me when you go out to a show there is no narrow look, as I said Emmie is a longer lighter boned ***** but judges like her because she can move,
I support ANY breeder who really cares about the breed , enought to do a 165.00 DNA test and an 85.00 hearing test per puppy.
On what breeder to pick, or source to use (ie. shelter) I agree that that is a personal choice, and that people will always differ on what they feel is a good basis to go by.
Hubby thought after a lot of research that it was an ACD he wanted. So I started looking and ended up getting our first girl. NO she is not to standard and has tons of problems. The backyard so called breeder lied about the litter on everything. But while I was their, I spotted a very small blue b#@ch with a nasty cut on her face @ 6 weeks. Asked about her and was told (she was to be put down because of the cut to her face no one would buy her.) So I gave them $125. and took the young pup home (Sheila) is still with us. And yes have spent a ton of money on her. She has allergies to grain and a ton of other stuff to say the least. If she gets a cut or scrape her body attacks itself. So she is almost hairless on her hind quarters with scar tissue everywhere. She cannot be spade, would not survive antheisia. But I took on her and ALL her problems when I got her. 
