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Bred
By: A Gallery of Rainyday Dogs
A Day in the Life
Last updated: 7-20-08
MBIS MBISS AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Red Red Wine poses with Kate and Parker for her third BIS win!
Who We Are
A small, highly competitive kennel, Rainyday is owned and run by the mother/daughter team of Linda Phillips and Kathrin Phillips-Ellis. Between us we have more than 40 years of experience training and exhibiting dogs. We ran sled dogs for a number of years and Linda competed in conformation and obedience with her Siberian Huskies. Kate won her first sled dog race at the age of three and was hooked from there. Eventually she coached the family pet, Rosie, to a starring role in a local production of Annie. When we retired from racing a team, we began to research breeds again and soon realized that the Aussie was the breed that fulfilled all of our requirements and interests.
MBIS MBISS AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Red Red Wine
When we first got started in Aussies we wanted an intelligent dog to be a performance prospect. Many people told us that Aussies are like potato chips; you couldn't stop at just one. However clichéd that sounds: it was true. We train and exhibit all of our own dogs and are currently competing in conformation and training in agility and obedience. Several of our dogs are also working in herding and are proving themselves quite capable. Jackson (WTCH SVCH PCH AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Remember When AKC/ASCA CDX RE OA AXJ RS-E JS-E GS-E OAC NCC TG-N WV-N HSAs) recently completed his WTCH, SVCH and PCH titles and Pete (AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Hard Habit to Break AKC/ASCA CD RE OA OAJ RS-O GS-E JS-E NAC OJC OGC NCC WV-N TN-N PD1 PS1 PG1 STDc OTDd ATDs HSAs) is currently gathering up herding titles as well.
AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's I'm On Fire HT
The success of our breeding program is reflected by the high percentage of Rainyday dogs who go on to compete in a variety of events. As breeders, we recently achieved Hall of Fame Status in USASA and in ASCA. Please see the Awards page to see a list of the many titled dogs we have produced over the years.
Our foundation dam, Propwash Cobbercrest Obla-De (aka Cobbercrest Propwash Obla-De) is not only ASCA HOF Dam #151, but is the first USASA HOF Dam! Gussie's daughter Wren (AKC CH Rainyday's Free As A Bird CGC) recently completed the requirements to become the second USASA HOF Dam. To have mother and daughter be the first and second (of 2) USASA HOF Dams is an incredible thrill and we are honored to share our home with two such incredible bitches. Wren is also an ASCA HOF Dam. Wren's daughter Rose (AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Roses Are Red) is following the family tradition and is already an ASCA HOF Dam, ROM I Conformation, ROM I Performance, ROM I Obedience and a ROMX III dam.
While we do not breed a large number of dogs, we are able to produce quality puppies who are successfully training and competing in a variety of competitive events, including conformation, obedience, agility, herding and flyball.
During the last few years we have consistently shown dogs to top ten spots in both AKC and ASCA as well as have been ranked in the top producing breeders in the country. Our bitches are often ranked among the top producers for the year. Our MBIS MBISS AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Red Red Wine finished 2002 as the #2 conformation dog (all systems) in AKC and was simultaneously ranked #9 in ASCA. Merlot was also ranked in the top 5 in AKC and top 10 in ASCA for 2003 and in the top five in AKC in 2004 and 2005. Merlot was the first Best in Show winning red merle bitch and is currently the top winning breeder/owner/handled bitch in breed history. Her maternal half brother AKC CH Rainyday's Tinsel Town also finished 2003 and 2005 ranked in the top twenty in AKC. In 2006 our focus was on Spark (AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's I'm On Fire HT) who was ranked in the top twenty in both clubs in limited shows. Also burning up the AKC ring in 2006 was Token (MBIS AKC CH Rainyday's Reason to Believe) who won two large all breed BIS's and ended the year the #2 Australian Shepherd (all breed and breed systems). He is owned by Courtney Bel. For 2007 we were excited to introduce Mimi (AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Time After Time). The fifth generation at Rainyday, Mimi is a multiple BOB winner in both AKC and ASCA and won a Bred By Best in Show before her 2nd birthday. As a two year old Mimi ended 2006-2007 ranked #22 in ASCA. Courtney Bell also brought Panda (BIS AKC CH Rainyday's Pandemonium) out in 2007 and quickly won her first BIS. Mimi is out and about again in 2008 and is already ranked #12 in ASCA. Also out and winning in 2008 are Jackson (WTCH SVCH PCH AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Remember When AKC/ASCA CDX RE OA AXJ RS-E JS-E GS-E OAC NCC TG-N WV-N HSAs) and Toby Keith (A-BISS A-CH Rainyday's HowDoYouLikeMeNow? AKC/ASCA CD RA OA OAJ RS-O JS-E GS-E NAC NCC NJC TG-N WV-N). Jackson is currently ranked #5 in ASCA and Toby Keith is the #1 ASCA altered conformation dog for the third year in a row. Jackson is owned by Danielle Pugh and Toby Keith is owned by Dorinda Pugh.
In addition to success in the conformation ring, Rainyday dogs are often ranked in the year end statistics in obedience and agility. For new titles for each year, and year end awards, please visit the New Titles pages.
AKC CH Rainyday's Ruby Tuesday AKC/ASCA CD OA OAJ RS-O JS-N OAC NJC HIC
Our Kennel
Rainyday is a small breeding program which stresses commitment to quality. We breed on a limited basis and rarely have more than two litters in a calendar year. Each of our dogs is a valued member of our family. Rainyday puppies are raised in the house and are handled and analyzed from birth until they are ready to leave our home for another. We strive to breed the versatile Aussie; a dog which will be equally comfortable in the conformation, herding, obedience or agility ring, or as your best friend and resident couch potato/newspaper retriever. Our standards are high and will remain so. We admire the Aussie for what it is: an intelligent, athletic, working dog of moderate size and coat. We breed for moderate type, intelligence, effortless movement and unbeatable attitude. We set goals and criteria for our breeding stock and follow them. Several of the things that we believe are important in the Aussie include:
 | Genetic and Physical Health |
| Intelligence and Trainability |
| Athletic Ability |
| Stable Temperament |
| Moderation of Type |
| Beauty |
Our limited breeding program and small number of dogs allow us to evaluate each breeding carefully and to consider many different factors before two dogs are bred. Often, our bitches must be shipped across the country in order to reach the best possible, and most compatible, male.
We believe that one of the most important things we can do for our dogs is to study their ancestry. By knowing a dog's genetic makeup we can strive to control physical appearance, genetic health, and temperament. Unlike many inexperienced or casual breeders who may not know about their dog's genetic background and therefore perpetuate genetic problems; we are concerned with breeding dogs with mental, physical and genetic soundness. All dogs used for breeding have an OFA rating of Good or Excellent and have their eyes cleared and registered with CERF annually.
Wren, Merlot, Decker, Ruby, and Gussie avoid the hot Texas sun!
The Rainyday Guarantee
A puppy is an investment of time, money, and love. At Rainyday we strive to breed Aussies that will provide your family with years of friendship. Our dogs are members of our family and we expect that a Rainyday puppy will be welcomed as a member of your family as well. Our puppies come from a solid physical and mental background and have been prepared to become your loving and enjoyable best friend.
All Rainyday puppies are raised in the house and underfoot. Hours of socialization and human interaction make the Rainyday puppy outgoing, confident and affectionate. Our puppies are handled from birth and are completely comfortable with their people. We observe and analyze each puppy and would be happy to make recommendations as to which puppy would best fit your lifestyle and interests.
We stand behind our puppies. We offer a full guarantee covering hereditary defects. Both pet and show quality puppies are sold with a contract. We maintain first right of refusal on all puppies and will also take a puppy (or an adult) back if a situation does not work out. We strive to place our puppies where both puppy and people will be happy.
At Rainyday we interview prospective buyers carefully. We reserve the right to not sell a puppy to a home where we feel the puppy will not be best suited.
Pet puppies are sold on limited registration and we must also insist that all pet puppies be spayed or neutered at sexual maturity.
If you are interested in a Rainyday puppy please call or email us to discuss upcoming or existing litters. A copy of our contract is available upon request. Reservations are always suggested.
We would also suggest that you research the breed to decide if the Aussie is the right breed for you. Several of the links on the links page of this site will be useful in starting your research. In particular, we recommend that you visit the following site: Aussie FAQ.
AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Roses Are Red, AKC/ASCA CH Rainyday's Violets Are Blue and AKC CH/ASCA A-CH Cobbercrest Rainyday's Folly NA CGC wait for Parker to throw the ball.