Las Rocosa Aussies are noted for their clean, classic head-type.   Clear, deep rich colors enhance the total balance of structural and temperamental soundness.  Our dogs are specifically bred for high performance standards of the "real world".  Check the record.  Our success speaks for itself.

Aussie breeders of other lines incorporate Las Rocosa Aussies to utilize the genetically clean lineage, to obtain rich, clear colors, and to add or intensify herding ability.  Many depend on our blood to infuse our trademark "can do attitude" that is so critical for winning performances.

During the early years, we established an "ideal" that we still breed for: A sound, beautiful dog, with intense herding ability.  Over the years, we have never sacrificed our goal for any fad -- be it structural, cosmetic or in herding style.

Hud filled the bill beyond our wildest expectations, never held a grudge, and would do anything you asked of him.  It was often said that Hud was "before his time".  Based on Hud's supremacy, we purchased a female of the same cross (Taylor's Whiskey x Taylor's Buena).  She was christened Hartnagle's Fritzie Taylor.  Fritzie Taylor continued the tradition of producing beautiful, sound working stock dogs that included a number of champions and herding-titled aussies.  Both Hud and Fritzie are listed in the prestigeous ASCA Honor Roll of Conformation and Working Sires and Dams, respectively.

Next, we concentrated on developing our line of reds.  At that time in the breed there were no other established red strains.  Even today, the finest red dogs go back to our CH Las Rocosa Shiloh.  As a sire, Shiloh met our unyielding specifications.  His dam, Hosmer's Jill, was a full sister to Hud and Fritzie Taylor - who were already proven in our program.  CH Las Rocosa Shiloh has since become one of the most influential foundation sires of the breed.  A saying coined long ago held steadfast throughout the years: "Shiloh - a name that made history in our nation - a name that made history in our breed".  Shiloh is included in the ASCA Hall of Fame for his outstanding legacy.

Shiloh's genetic soundness is still evident in his progeny over the past decades.   Shiloh crossed to CH Shanahan's Phantom, CDX, a Hud granddaughter, produced CH Stonehenge Justin Case of Las Rocosa, CD - one of the most prominent show dogs in the nation during his show career time (1976-1982).  Justin Case is listed on the prestigious ASCA Honor Roll of Conformation Sires and is the sire of CH Just Jake of Las Rocosa, CD, STDcs, ATDd; CH Las Rocosa Justa Sinner and CH Las Rocosa Justin Junior of Mt. Gold, CD.

Our golden cross was Fritzie Taylor and Shiloh.  The legacy lives on through their offspring that include: CH Las Rocosa Ricky Taylor, CH Las Rocosa Rojo Hombre, CH Las Rocosa Blue Brocade, Las Rocosa Rose and CH Las Rocosa Leslie, CSD...each who went on to develop lines of their own!

Our CH Las Rocosa Leslie CSD, had a major impact on the breed through her sons, CH Chulo Rojo of Fairoaks CD, Las Rocosa Sydney (both by Taylor's Whiskey) and Las Rocosa Lester (by CH Las Rocosa Shiloh).   Sydney and Lester both are ASCA Hall of Fame Sires.  CH Chulo Rojo of Fairoaks went on to become an ASCA Hall of Fame Sire and USASA Register of Merit Excellence III Sire award, the highest offered to date.

William Gibson, Elaine's Father with "Bob" one of his Aussies.
William had dogs for most of his life and when he was a young man,
they didn't know the name of the breed...
they just called them "Bob Tail Shepherds"!