Before Ausdauer was even an idea, I had my very first litter in 2017 with my first female Aurora and my first male Ruger. Both were fully health tested through OFA for hips, elbows, and eyes, and they were also genetically panel tested.
Aurora’s dam was AKC registered, Ruger was AKC registered, and Aurora’s sire came from older NSDR and ISDR working farm dog lines. Because of that background, the puppies were registered through ASDR.
Both Aurora and Ruger were more than just pets to me. I earned a lure coursing title on Ruger, and with Aurora I trained in agility and even trialed, earning a qualifying run. Both of them received years of lessons and clinics at my herding trainers. I was already invested in giving my dogs jobs and experiences beyond the backyard.
That first litter I priced for only a few hundred dollars. Many people had encouraged me to breed because they wanted a puppy, but when I set a price of 400, those same people backed out. It was a wake up call that my dogs had value whether others saw it or not, and that I needed to be intentional about my goals.
That experience taught me to breed for myself first and foremost, not to meet others’ expectations. It pushed me to think about my long term goals, the kind of dogs I wanted to produce, and the vision I wanted for my future program. I do not regret that breeding, because it gave me valuable lessons early in my journey.
After that I dedicated myself to years of research, mentorship, and refining my vision. In 2017 I purchased Cersei, and in 2021 I had my first litter under the Ausdauer name. That was the true beginning of my program, the start of what I consider preservation focused breeding with a commitment to structure, health, and purpose.
I share this because transparency matters. Every breeder starts somewhere, and while my program looks very different now, my foundation includes that first litter and the lessons it taught me.