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"A beautiful Aussie that is athletic, graceful and sound - built on a solid foundation. That is GraceRok.  Our Aussies are bred to the CKC and ASCA breed standard."

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At Gracerok we enjoy competing in conformation and Rally-obedience, and training in agility and herding. 

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I've had dogs most of my life and fell in love with herding dogs as a teenager. As a junior handler I showed and titled my poodle in conformation and obedience and later trained another poodle and a sheltie in obedience. My very first job out of high school was working for a dog grooming salon! Fast forward to the 2000s and Aussies have been part of my family and I've loved, studied, and competed with them since 2010. 

 

Including my poodle from years ago, as a proud OWNER/HANDLER (with one minor exception) I've put on 8 Champion titles including a Grand Champion and currently have two that are pointed.  Some of my proud owner-handler achievements include:

- multiple Best Baby Puppy in Shows

- multiple Best Baby Puppy in Groups

- a Best Puppy in Show

- multiple Best Puppy in Groups

- multiple Group wins

- multiple Group placements 

- a BOS in a huge CKC Breed Regional Specialty 

- a BOB in a huge CKC Breed Booster (20+ entries!!)

- a class placement (3rd) at ASCA Nationals (with a handler)

- multiple ASCA BOW major wins in shows with large entries 

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I believe Aussies are meant to be a performance breed and that is what attracted me to Aussies in the beginning!  To that end I've worked hard to achieve a total of 21 performance titles ranging from Obedience (CD) (not an Aussie though, lol), to Canine Good Neighbor (CGN), to Rally-Obedience (RA in CKC and CARO), to trick titles and herding instinct certifications!!  We've been busy...just how the Aussies like it...they are a working breed after all and love to have a job to do!

 

Of course, my Aussies are family and companions first and foremost and show dogs second!  They're not kennel dogs, they live in my home with me and are not left alone outside all day, some sleep on my bed occasionally, and spend most of their time underfoot (literally, lol). I live on an acreage (7 acres) so have lots of space for them to run and play. 

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I believe in species-specific nutrition and feed them a mostly raw diet and a high quality kibble. I follow the Jean Dodds, DVM protocol for minimal vaccinations to prevent future issues from over-vaccination.

 

I train my dogs using the most current, marker-based, positive reinforcement training methods that have been proven by science to be effective and humane...and FUN!

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My MISSION is to share excellent examples of this beautiful, smart and loving breed with like-minded individuals. 

 

The GOAL of my program is to produce Aussies with moderate coat, bone, and angulation and stable, biddable, non-reactive temperaments as the ASCA/CKC/AKC breed standards dictate.

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​I am a member in good standing:

• Currently employed as full time permanent staff by Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and a member in good standing

• Central Ontario Australian Shepherd Club (COASC) - I held the position of Second Vice President on the COASC Board of Directors for one year

• Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)

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I am the founder and organizer of the former 500+ member:

Toronto Australian Shepherd Meetup Group. As of 2021 I stepped away from the group and it has been transitioned to a facebook group under new leadership:  GTA Australian Shepherd Meetup group.

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