Welcome to Hearts on Fire Australian Shepherds!
In the next few minutes, I hope you will be able to see my heart and learn what is important to me as a breeder and "why you should buy a Hearts pup!"
My name is Candee MacQueen. I have spent the last 35 years as a dairy farmer and breeder of show quality Holsteins under the name of "Alandee" in Maine. While most of my life has been spent in the dairy industry, my background in farming is very diverse, in location as well as in animals. I have lived across the US, from California, where I ran a hatchery, to Maine, where I ran my own 4-H club. In addition to our dairy farm and store, my husband, Alan, ran a successful organic food store in town. We also raised and sold grass-fed beef, as well as pork, chicken, and turkeys. Being involved with the organic farming world in addition to "conventional" farming required an open-minded view: "just because someone does it differently doesn't make it wrong." I have carried this philosophy with me and apply it to my Aussie breeding program today.
After losing my husband, Alan, in 2013, I left Maine and moved back near family in Missouri. Needing a new project, I knew instantly that I wanted to breed Aussies; at the time, we had a beautiful red merle who shared our hearts (I lost Sugar this past April at the age of 15). I am not new to breeding quality--besides the Holsteins, I bred Doberman Pinscher dogs as well as show quality Nubian dairy goats for about 10 years. I am lucky to have extensive knowledge in researching pedigrees and matings--finding the crosses that will produce what I want in my pups. I did not purchase my breeding stock without great consideration and I bought exactly what I wanted: the Aussies here at Hearts are hand-picked to produce the next generation of "heart."
NOW, some facts: all my Aussies live in the house with me, regardless of age, they are family and are treated as such--all my litters are born and raised in the house. Socialization is extremely important in producing pups that will instantly adapt to your family life. I am a true believer in detail--I love detail--and it shows in the personality of the pup you buy from Hearts. I just had a repeat buyer tell me that "Heart pups are too easy"--a wonderful compliment, telling me that I'm doing it right!
My name is Candee MacQueen. I have spent the last 35 years as a dairy farmer and breeder of show quality Holsteins under the name of "Alandee" in Maine. While most of my life has been spent in the dairy industry, my background in farming is very diverse, in location as well as in animals. I have lived across the US, from California, where I ran a hatchery, to Maine, where I ran my own 4-H club. In addition to our dairy farm and store, my husband, Alan, ran a successful organic food store in town. We also raised and sold grass-fed beef, as well as pork, chicken, and turkeys. Being involved with the organic farming world in addition to "conventional" farming required an open-minded view: "just because someone does it differently doesn't make it wrong." I have carried this philosophy with me and apply it to my Aussie breeding program today.
After losing my husband, Alan, in 2013, I left Maine and moved back near family in Missouri. Needing a new project, I knew instantly that I wanted to breed Aussies; at the time, we had a beautiful red merle who shared our hearts (I lost Sugar this past April at the age of 15). I am not new to breeding quality--besides the Holsteins, I bred Doberman Pinscher dogs as well as show quality Nubian dairy goats for about 10 years. I am lucky to have extensive knowledge in researching pedigrees and matings--finding the crosses that will produce what I want in my pups. I did not purchase my breeding stock without great consideration and I bought exactly what I wanted: the Aussies here at Hearts are hand-picked to produce the next generation of "heart."
NOW, some facts: all my Aussies live in the house with me, regardless of age, they are family and are treated as such--all my litters are born and raised in the house. Socialization is extremely important in producing pups that will instantly adapt to your family life. I am a true believer in detail--I love detail--and it shows in the personality of the pup you buy from Hearts. I just had a repeat buyer tell me that "Heart pups are too easy"--a wonderful compliment, telling me that I'm doing it right!