Cubberoo - Working Kelpies
Australian Kelpie Breeders, Dog Breeders / 484 views
My family moved to “Cubberoo” in north west NSW near Mungindi on the Queensland border, in 1974. During the 36 years mixed farming was interspersed with droughts and floods, but a poll hereford herd, some useful horses, Cubberoo Kelpies and, more latterly, Collessie Cairn Terriers became my life’s achievements. I decided earlier in the year (2010) that I needed to down size and leave the hardships behind me. “Erinbrook”, near Armidale, was purchased to accomodate the menagerie and the move has taken place in July/August.
My family has been involved with the production of livestock all my life, breeding poll hereford cattle, sheep, horses and working dogs. I learned early that stock work was a lot easier if you had quality working dogs and so started Cubberoo Kelpies many years ago. It was not until 1982 when I was given a blue and tan bitch pup, Tindal Brook, by a renowned stockman and family friend, that my current kelpie family was started, she was an extremely stylish bitch whose parents were from Bert Bromham’s Glenville Stud at Holbrook.
Collessie Cairn Terriers are a relatively recent addition to the Cubberoo family with the arrival of Glenlemar Bonny Mhorag in early 1999. Having had various purebred pet dogs all my life, I went looking for something to join our 16 year old poodle and thought I liked the sound of Cairn Terriers…….and so I entered their circle of enthusiasts. Unfortunately, “Cubberoo” was not available with the canine council as a prefix so I had to find something appropriate and as my grandmother had come from Collessie in Fifeshire I thought it suitable. Balbridie Dawn Mist and Craigend Candle Shine have subsequently joined Collessie, giving me three families to work with. Due to our geographical location, I only attend very limited numbers of shows, trying to travel to at least the CTCV and CTCNSW Championship Shows each year. Cairns fly well and interstate travel is no problem.
I have been so very lucky over the years with both breeds, as other highly regarded and successful breeders have been very generous, both by allowing me to use their bloodlines and by giving me valuable bitches to start new families. Dog breeding can be a most rewarding past time, introducing you to a world of new friends with similar interests as well as giving great pleasure to people with their animals, whether it be a great working or show dog or a very much loved best mate.
In 2010 we moved to “Erinbrook” on the beautiful New England Tablelands where hopefully life will be a little easier. The more central locality, the smaller property, the milder summers, less droughts and closer proximity to nearly everything will all be great, but I will have to be patient waiting until I have an established garden again. I am working hard on my new “cool climate” garden which will be quite different to my cool shady “hot dry climate” garden at “Cubberoo” .
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