Our story
From an Appaloosa barn to Best in Show: how one red merle girl turned into a lifetime of Australian Shepherds.
Strange how life works.
Kasey
Keli was riding and showing Appaloosa horses, and everyone at the barn had an Aussie. An ad in the paper led her to the LoMascolas, who also showed Appys and had once owned her horse, Red Barron, about fifteen years earlier. Kasey, a red merle girl, came home with her, and went everywhere with Keli and Barron.
Willa & Kinnebrook Farm
In college Keli switched to riding hunters and brought home two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Lucy and Elly. Then fate stepped in at Toni Lake's Kinnebrook Farm, where she went to look at, and eventually bought, a beautiful two-year-old filly named Willa. Toni, of course, had several beautiful Aussies by her side.
The girls showed him how to be a farm dog.
Mickey
Keli rescued a blue merle Aussie named Mickey. The Corgi girls showed him how to be a farm dog, and he and Keli started agility and obedience classes together. Bitten by the Aussie bug again, she went looking for another agility dog.
Riley & the show ring
Through a friend from agility class, Keli met Emmy at Terra-Blue, and Riley came home. Emmy asked if she could take him to a few shows; Keli agreed, having “no interest in that foo-foo dog showing stuff.” She went to watch one show and, being competitive, said “I could do that!” That was it: the Absoloot passion for the conformation ring had begun.
“I could do that!”
Loot
The heart and soul of Absoloot came along just when Keli needed him most, thanks to Sandy Landry of Vinelake Australian Shepherds. Loot was a once-in-a-lifetime dog. Together they saw a lot of the country and won Best in Show, and today his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren carry on his legacy.
Two homes, one family
Absoloot is now run by Keli Gaunt in Georgetown, Kentucky and Morgan Hubbard in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. It's still a small hobby kennel where the dogs are part of the family, and the couch is without a doubt their preferred sleeping spot.
Family first, always
Our dogs are 100% part of the family. They don't live in crates or a kennel.
At home
The dogs live in the house with us, with lots of fresh air, exercise and time on the couch.
Thoughtfully fed
They are raised on a raw and holistic kibble diet, with minimal vaccinations.
Health tested
Eyes are cleared every year by a certified canine ophthalmologist. Every dog gets OFA hip and elbow readings at two, and is DNA profiled and tested for HSF4 (cataract), CEA, PHA and MDR1.
We believe every piece of information available matters when raising the healthiest, happiest Aussie.
Keli & Morgan
Keli Gaunt
Founder of Absoloot, ASCA Senior Breeder Judge No. 5062, professional handler for ASCA conformation and show groomer. Keli has lived with Aussies since 1987.
Morgan Hubbard
Co-breeder, owner of Titan and handler extraordinaire. Morgan has piloted many Absoloot dogs to their Best of Breed and Specialty wins.