WASCUNY was organized many years ago by a handful of people who all owned a breed considered "rare" at the time -- the Australian Shepherd. These peope got together to train their dogs in obedience and to socialize with each other. They soon found enough interest in the breed to affiliate themselves with the parent club of Aussies, the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). At the time, the American Kennel Club (AKC) did not recognize the breed and would not allow Aussies to participate in any AKC activities. With sanctioning by ASCA, the club was able to put on dog shows and trials in which the Aussies participated with great talent. Some of the members do not show their dogs, but have joined for the friendship and camaraderie that a group with similar interests can offer. The primary objective of WASCUNY and ASCA is to protect and advance the Australian Shepherd breed. In service of this goal we:
* Encourage and promote the breeding of purebred Australian Shepherds in such a manner as to bring their natural qualities to the highest degree attainable;
* Strive to promote, educate and assist all owners of the breed to improve their knowledge of the breed and its history;
* Protect and advance the interest of the Australian Shepherd breed and to encourage ethical breeding practices and sportsmanlike competition at all dog shows and trials;
* Conduct conformation shows, obedience trials, rally obedience trials, agility trials, stockdog trials, dock jumping trials, tracking tests and other events in conformity with ASCA rules and regulations;
* Encourage all breeders to accept the ASCA breed standard as the only standard of excellence by which the breed shall be judged.
* Strive to promote, educate and assist all owners of the breed to improve their knowledge of the breed and its history;
* Protect and advance the interest of the Australian Shepherd breed and to encourage ethical breeding practices and sportsmanlike competition at all dog shows and trials;
* Conduct conformation shows, obedience trials, rally obedience trials, agility trials, stockdog trials, dock jumping trials, tracking tests and other events in conformity with ASCA rules and regulations;
* Encourage all breeders to accept the ASCA breed standard as the only standard of excellence by which the breed shall be judged.
At present we have several members, most of who help at the shows and trials that we sponsor each year. Our July Sparkler Show, held currently at the Washington County Fairgrounds each year, is one of the biggest and most extensive ASCA shows in New York State, offering breed, obedience, and rally competition. In past years the show has also offered herding and agility competition. In addition to the Sparkler we host other events throughout the year offering agility, obedience, rally, herding, dock jumping, and tracking. We also strive to sponsor various seminars for our club members. WASCUNY supports ethical and humane breeding practices which include not allowing "backyard breeding", and insisting on hip,
eye and congenital disease clearances before planned breeding. We support responsible ownership and kind and loving treatment of our animals. We wish to educate those owners who desire more information on their Aussies and support
our national rescue effort called Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline (ARPH).
eye and congenital disease clearances before planned breeding. We support responsible ownership and kind and loving treatment of our animals. We wish to educate those owners who desire more information on their Aussies and support
our national rescue effort called Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline (ARPH).
**The Miniature Australian Shepherd, North American Shepherd, North American Miniature Australian Shepherd, and/or Toy Australian Shepherd breeds are not recognized as a variety of Australian Shepherd by ASCA. The club considers such dogs to be a distinct and separate breed and will not accept them into its registry.**
Membership in ASCA® is not required to be a member of WASCUNY. Ownership of an Australian Shepherd is also not required to be a member of WASCUNY. A love and appreciation of dogs and spending time playing with and training with them is required.
Would it surprise you to learn that the Australian Shepherd is the only livestock working breed developed in America? Contrary to his name, the Australian Shepherd is not an Australian breed at all.
CLICK HERE to learn more about AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS and the HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD.
CLICK HERE to learn more about AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS and the HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD.
Please click HERE to review the BREED STANDARD OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD to learn more about the correct type of the Australian Shepherd: character, physical appearance, gait, structure, coat, color, and size.
