“Kuranda beds are some of the best beds on the market. They’re great for all ages; we use them when we have litters of puppies, to our older senior dogs; all the dogs, no matter the age, approve.”
Kuranda: Tell us about Harmony Hill Australian Shepherds and how you ended up with so many award winning dogs?
Kaylene: Heather Braddock founded Harmony Hill Australian Shepherds. Owning her first Aussie as a family dog, she fell in love with the loyalty the Aussies provided. Having horses in her late 20s, she had a natural eye for structure and soundness, therefore making her gifted at breeding. Fast forward all these years later, Harmony Hill Australian Shepherds definitely has a breed type, breeding consistently sound dogs while having the temperament to do it all. I met Heather almost 18 years ago when I started showing in Junior Showmanship as a 12-year-old. She has been the best mentor and has taught me so much that I will forever be grateful for. I am so proud and honored to be her co-breeder. Our Aussies are split between her and I in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Heather's property is nestled off the road and is pure doggy-heavy. I am also nestled far off the road on 100 acres; the dogs LOVE it! Heather and I collaborate on all of our breeding, raising the puppies and placing them in their forever homes, along with the hard job of picking our “pick puppy” to continue the breeding lines. I travel to the dog shows and compete in confirmation regularly.
“All of the dogs we keep are our pets, first and foremost. They sleep in our homes, some even in our beds.”
Kuranda: Have you always been a dog person? How long have you been involved with the ASCA?
Kaylene: I have always been an animal person and started ASCA showing in junior showmanship when I was twelve.
Kuranda: Tell us About your dogs.
Kaylene: Our dogs may be pretty to look at, but their temperaments are genuinely remarkable. They’re willing to please, and loyalty is top- notch, making training easy.
Kuranda: How many dogs do you keep in your kennels?
Kaylene: Between Heather and I, we have 11 dogs. Split up between the both of us. All of the dogs we keep are our pets, first and foremost. They sleep in our homes, some even in our beds.
Kuranda: Do you breed your dogs for specific disciplines?
Kaylene: We breed our dogs to fit the breed standard; they must also have solid temperaments.
Kuranda: What do you think of Kuranda beds?
Kaylene: Kuranda beds are some of the best beds on the market. They’re great for all ages; we use them when we have litters of puppies, to our older senior dogs; all the dogs, no matter the age, approve. We use them because the dogs seem to enjoy them, they’re easy to clean, and they’re lightweight yet durable. I also find they’re easy to assemble, and being made in the USA is the cherry on top.
“We use them because the dogs seem to enjoy them, they’re easy to clean, and they’re lightweight yet durable. I also find they’re easy to assemble, and being made in the USA is the cherry on top.”
Kuranda: Your dogs are well groomed. Does the type of bed they sleep on make a difference?
Kaylene: We groom our show dogs weekly. I find that the beds make a difference in pulling their hair and damaging it.
Kuranda: We argue that an elevated bed helps prevent caluses. What do you think?
Kaylene: Yes, for sure. I think it allows them to be on a soft surface elevated from the hard ground.