Zahara Australian Shepherds & Beagles Last Update: September 26, 2011 Hello and welcome! Zahara is a small hobby kennel dedicated to Australian Shepherds and Beagles located in North-Central Washington. My dogs are highly competitive in many venues including Conformation, Obedience, and Agility which makes them well rounded, athletic, and intelligent individuals. The goal here is to establish type, function, and overall soundness to illustrate the breed standard. In order to accomplish this, correct structure, sound movement, and excellent temperaments are necessities. These qualities are also very important to me as my dogs are an integral part of my family; I couldn't imagine my life without them! Please take a look around and enjoy the site. "A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, big or small, young or old. He doesn't care if you're not smart, not popular, not a good joke-teller, not the best athlete, nor the best looking. To your dog, you are the greatest, the smartest, the nicest human being who was ever born. You are his friend and protector." -Louis Sabin Email: ashley@zaharakennels.com Proud supporter of "Ten Steps to a Healthier Australian Shepherd Breed": Statements concerning the Miniature Australian Shepherd and the Toy Australian Shepherd. United States Australian Shepherd Association - AKC "Recently there has been a rise in the movement to breed miniature and toy versions of the Australian Shepherd. The Miniature Australian Shepherd and the Toy Australian Shepherd are not recognized or considered varieties of the Australian Shepherd by this organization, the United States Australian Shepherd Association, Inc. (USASA), or by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Since these dogs are not AKC registered, they cannot be verified by USASA as purebred, and therefore are not considered Australian Shepherds by this organization. The USASA does not support the purposeful breeding of Miniature Australian Shepherds and Toy Australian Shepherds, and expects all members who have breeding programs to breed to the USASA/AKC recognized standard of excellence. The USASA further expects all members to be ever vigilant in the preservation and protection of the Australian Shepherd." Australian Shepherd Club of America - ASCA "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. Our bylaws state that ASCA's purpose is: 'To encourage members and breeders to accept one breed standard for the Australian Shepherd as approved by the Club as the only standard of excellence by which Australian Shepherds shall be judged.' It is the mission of this club ASCA and the mission of its members to preserve the breed rather than change it."