I have been involved in breeding dogs
or livestock my whole life. Although we have quality dogs we are not heavy
breeders. I contribute this as one reason for our success rate and our
healthy pups. Up to about twelve years ago, I had never sold one of my
pups. We had very few litters and just a special breeding now and then
where I would send out a female to be bred and would pull the pups to
keep.
From the time I sold my first litter of Cattle Dogs to now I have always
had a waiting list. We have met some of the most wonderful people from
coast to coast and we all have one thing in common - love of Heelers.
One thing I would like to say we have
tried to stick to the original cattle dog. I see the breed changing in
recent years with some breeders. I believe it is being Americanized by
some and what I call watered down. These dogs are not Labs.
They can not mentally train as a lab. They are not for everyone.
Some are laid back while others are fierce workers. Whomever you buy
your pup from that person must be a good breeder willing to help you pick out
the pup that is right for you and your lifestyle. I can't have enough
pups for everyone nor do I want to. It is a lot of work, but two years
of your time is more costly than the money you pay for a pup. This breed
can be a disaster if bred badly or is not the dog for you. Choose wisely
in the beginning for your sake and the pups.
We believe if we are breeding for show
or pet, the quality has to be the best. There should be no difference.
We do not have an unhealthy dog in our kennel nor a flea or tick and I
think that says a lot for the south. All of our shots are ordered fresh and we buy our puppy
wormers from the vet. We are here for you, for the life of your pup.
We are with our dogs on our farm seven
days a week and have been AKC inspected and approved. We were not
written up for one thing on our first inspection of our kennel, the dogs
or our paperwork.
Cattle Dogs are our world. We honestly
do have a love for them and it takes my breath away to see a good
looking dog strutting their stuff. If we were doing this for the money
alone we would have chosen another breed. They get in your blood,
especially that old one you've had that is better than most people you
know. I say Cattle Dog people are vein people. We can be as ugly as
dirt, but we love a good looking dog riding with us.
Again I tell you, if you want to
experience my world come on in. You will
never be with out a heeler at your side once you've had one.
2010 We do not stud our males outside
of our kennel nor have we ever, not once.
I realize it is a great money
maker for some folks and we do receive countless calls. We just do not
consider it worth while. Our kennel has been closed from day one to
outside breeding. The reason for this is not only the problem of sexual
disease and the just overall possibility of disease of all types, but
also we do not mix our dogs with dogs we do not know. We have known
personally, now ten generations of our dogs. This includes health,
confirmation and temperament. We can within reason say we know what we
have.
If a female pup is purchased from us with a full registration and we
have discussed and agree on breeding this female when she is ready we
would breed her for our customers. We have enough bloodlines and would
match the male to compliment this female. This breeding will require the
female has never been bred, a vet check and blood test before hand.
If another
breeder does have one of our pups the parents will carry the Keller
name, Ouachita or Sapphire in their lineage. My kennel was originally
Ouachita Kennel for our county. You can see our titles as listed below.
Photos are not to be reproduced without written
permission.
Next Generation of Breeding
-
03/01/10 We have
been building up a generation of younger dogs for our breeding
program the last two years and will be using them soon. We
will take photos of them as time permits. We have mainly focused
on pups out of Sassy and Dink (Dixie's full blood siblings) as
well as pulling out a few more reds.
The photos below gives you an overall look
at our breeding stock and what we produce.
The Girls
"Dixie"
One of our pups.
Dixie- Keller's Ouachita Blue Dixie (Mom-Sassy,
Dad-Dink) Dixie is now turning 8 and has had three litters. She
was born on Mothers day just for me. A gift from my Sassy and
Dink. Dixie
will no longer have pups. It is too much trouble. She can't run
around with me and go on trips when pregnant and that does not make either one of us happy.
She is a good example of my pups.
Sassy- Keller's Ouachita Sassy (full
blood sister
as Josie & Cleo) Sassy and
Dink are Dixies parents. She's my girl too.
Cleo-Keller's Ouachita Cleo (full
blood sister to
Josie & Sassy) Cleo has always been like my baby girl. She is
a littermate to Sassy and was the smaller of the litter. She is
my watch dog. Nobody will get by her. All heelers are watch
dogs, but this girl means business.
Sugar- Keller's Red Sugar (Littermate
to Sam) Her first litter
was at the age of two. Sugar is a sweet girl, a true heeler in
all ways. Very loyal as well.
Belle- Keller's Ouachita Belle (Belle, Sally & Star are
littermates. These girls are from a breeding I had sent Josie out to
another kennel.)
"Mama Belle" Belle, two yrs old and first litter. Belle is now
six.
JoJo - Sapphire's JoJo with MoJo
(Dixie's girl from her first litter. I had sent Dixie out to
another kennel for this breeding. Out of this breeding came not
only JoJo but litter mates Glitter and Zoe. You can see some of
them as pups on the first page where I am holding three pups,
all full mask.) JoJo is from Dixie's first
litter and is now four years old.
The Boys
Buckshot- Keller's
Ouachita Bl Buckshot (Littermate to Bodhi) Sassys' boy from a
breeding where I had sent her to another kennel in TN to be bred
to Timbers Big Bodhi. I love Buckshot, you just
can't ever miss with him.
Dink- Blue Ouachita Dink,
Dink is now 8 years old. His Dad is an import out of
Aus. He is the man (so we tell him).
Cowboy-
Ouachita Red Cowboy, Cowboy is five
years old. I will be using him this year. Everyone likes
Cowboy.
Toby- Hot
Tabasco, I bought Toby from a friend. His dad is Timbers Big
Bodhi and his grandfather is Timbers Orange Crush (same as
Buckshot and Bodhi). One of the reasons I bought him was, his
mama is one of my girls, out of Sassy and Dink. His color is not
for all of us old time Cattle Dog purist, but folks love this color and he is a good
addition to our kennel. He is a wonderful boy.
Ruger- Sapphires
Smokin Ruger, these pictures where taken at 11 months of age.
Ruger is out of Jill and Sam. He has Sams eyes and personality.
He is always wanting to please. He is Ruger not Roger,
named after one of my favorite brand of firearms.
Memory Wall
These adults are no
longer with us and in other homes for various reasons. They are
listed solely for information and photos as to the reference of
previous pups.
Bodhi- Keller's Ouachita Red Bodhi (Littermate
to Buckshot) Sassys' boy from a breeding where I had sent her to
another kennel in TN to be bred to Timbers Big Bodhi. ( I know
longer have Bodhi. He and Buckshot share the same pedigree.)
Tiger- Keller's Ouachita Blue Tiger
(Half brother to Dink) His Dad is an import out of Aus. Tiger is
three years old. Tiger is with another family right now. He is best
pal with the children and keeper of the homestead.
Sam- Keller's Red
Sam (Littermate to Sugar) Sam is four years old. We bred him for
the first time last year. He has the same toy Kong that he has
had since a six week old pup. Sally chewed the top off, he was
not a happy camper. 2009 -He now has a new home.
Star-Keller's
Ouachita Blue Star
(Belle,
Sally & Star are littermates. These girls are from a breeding I
sent Josie out to another kennel for.) Star is five years old
and is now in a pet home.
Sally- Sic'em Sally (Belle,
Sally & Star are
littermates. These girls are from a breeding I sent Josie out to
another kennel for.) Sally is five yrs old. Sally is now in a
pet home.
Josie- Keller's Ouachita Josie (
full blood sister to Sassy & Cleo) Josie is 8 yrs old and has had two litters.
She is Belles' mom. She is still our girl, but has been
placed in a pet home. We still have her listed to show you
Belle's mom.
