Toga was bred by Heather Gould of Watermark Australian Shepherds and joined us in early 2022 to begin his AKC Championship campaign. After just a month of consistent training and showing, he quickly finished his title with four consecutive major wins in Grayslake, Illinois. Following this, he took time off to mature before returning to the ring to earn both his ASCA Championship and Grand Championship.
Despite limited showing in 2022, Toga ended the year as a Top 25 Australian Shepherd in AKC, with a Group First, multiple Group Placements, and a prestigious Select Dog win at the Sunshine State Herding Group Shows in Orlando, FL—an event with nearly 100 Australian Shepherd entries. We are incredibly grateful to Heather for allowing Toga to visit Hightide, where he became such a special part of our family.
Toga’s pedigree is a unique and valuable blend of notable, moderate dogs from the past—many of whom were known for their outstanding structure and producing ability. He represents the kind of pedigree that is increasingly rare and highly sought after.
Structurally, Toga is a beautifully balanced, moderate dog with rich color and pigment, a lovely topline, and an easy-care coat. He is clean coming and going, with a masculine yet expressive head, and a classic almond-shaped eye. Toga is also incredibly easy to live with—focused, eager to please, and biddable without being overly pushy or needy. His offspring so far have proven to be sound in both mind and body, with excellent temperaments and work ethics.
Toga wrapped up the 2023 year with an impressive record: Multiple Group Firsts, Multiple Group Placements, a Best in Specialty Show win, 43 Best of Breed wins, and a final AKC ranking as the #9 Australian Shepherd in the country.
Toga has since been retired from stud and has been neutered due to an abnormality in the shape of his testicles, which was affecting his sperm quality. His health and well-being are our top priority. There is no frozen semen available for public use; we have chosen to preserve what remains solely for use within our program. We are incredibly proud of what he has produced so far and look forward to watching his offspring excel in both the show and performance rings.
Toga now enjoys a well-deserved retirement with his new family, Allison & Rob Markert, in Georgia. He’ll be spending his days playing in the agility and herding arenas and relaxing on the couch. Keep an eye out for Toga in the Veterans ring, where he’ll be shown by Jillayne in the future! |