Three Australian Shepherd dogs standing on a beach at night with rocky formations, palm trees, and starry sky in the background.
Logo for Midnight Island Australian Shepherds featuring a detailed line drawing of a wolf's face with a decorative pattern, the text 'Midnight Island' in large white letters, and 'Australian Shepherds' in smaller cursive blue font.

Ruca

An Australian Shepherd dog running on grass with a red fence in the background. 
Midnight Island Better Than Ur eX

Date of Birth: August 18, 2020
Owned by: Midnight Island & Vicki Palinkas
Bred by: Midnight Island

Ruca was my first keeper puppy from my first litter. She has far exceeded any expectations I had for her. She has excellent natural herding instinct and loves to work. She is a very thoughtful worker with the drive to get the job done, but with an easy going disposition that makes her very easy to live with. She is an old soul with a great sense of humor and she steals the hearts of everyone she meets.

Health Testing

  • OFA Hips/Elbows: Excellent/Normal

  • Eyes: Normal

  • Genetics: Clear breed panel

  • PHA: Negative

  • missing 2 premolars/scissor bite

  • Does not carry dilute or yellow

  • natural bob tail

Titles

  • WTCH - Working Trial Champion (ASCA)

  • HIAs - Herding Intermediate sheep (AKC)

  • HSADsd - Herding Started sheep, ducks (AKC)

  • PT - Pre Trial (AKC)

  • STDdsc - Started Trial Dog ducks, sheep, cattle (ASCA)

  • OTDdsc - Open Trial Dog ducks, sheep, cattle (ASCA)

  • ATDdsc - Advances Trial Dog ducks, sheep and cattle (ASCA)

  • OFTDdsm - Open Farm Trial Dog ducks, sheep, mixed (ASCA)

  • AFTDdsm - Advanced Farm Trial Dog ducks, sheep, mixed

  • HTAD1sGe - (ABHA)

  • HTAD2sGe - (AHBA)

  • HTAD3sGe - (AHBA)

  • JHD - Junior Herding Dog (AHBA)
    CGC - Canine Good Citizen

  • TKN - Trick Dog Novice

  • TKI - Trick Dog Intermediate

  • VHMA - Virtual Home Manners Adult

Acheivements

  • earned her first herding title just 3 months into training.

  • multiple High in Trials

  • multiple 1st placements on stock

  • has earned 26 herding titles

  • earned her WTCH in just 15 months of trialing once a month

    In the whelping box

  • has performance titled offspring

Pedigree

Certification document from the American Kennel Club, issued in 2022, indicating a pedigree for a dog with details about ancestors, breeder, and handler, including names like Midnight Island Better Than Ur Ex, CH Prestigio If U Got It, and others.

Photos