About Us | meadowlawnkennels

Meadowlawn Australian Shepherds is a hobby kennel established in 1979, passionately run by Kim Patterson, her daughter Sarah Kalkes, and Sarah's husband Krist Kalkes. Combined, we have over 40 years of experience in the Australian Shepherd breed. In our breeding program, we strive for soundness in health, temperament, and conformation, breeding only select individuals whose qualities will contribute to the betterment of the breed. We compete with our Aussie's in conformation, obedience, and agility in AKC & ASCA and are humbled to be highly successful at both local and national levels. We are active members of ASCA, USASA, and the Upper Midwest Australian Shepherd Club. Kim has volunteered her time serving many board positions for UMASC since she became involved in the breed. Currently, she is the President for 2017.

Meadowlawn was established in 1979 with the purchase of two beautiful Australian Shepherds: CH Meadowlawn's Red Whiskey, CD "Whiskey" and Meadowlawn's Blue Shi-Ann, CD "Annie". Whiskey was a stunning red merle male whose pedigree consisted primarily of Las Rocosa dogs. He attained his breed Championship and obedience Companion Dog title on the very same day - talk about versatile! Annie was striking blue merle female, who was sired by CH Jayhawk of Coppertone. Annie accumulated major points in the breed ring and completed her obedience Companion Dog title.

Another notable dog from our beginnings came from Calgary Kennels in Arizona. "Dillon," CH Free Spirit of Calgary, was sired by HOF CH Hallmark of Windermere and out of Samantha of Windermere. Dillon was a typee individual possessing a great disposition and flawless movement. Dillon easily attained his breed Championship and was awarded UMASC year-end Top Champion Male in 1982 & 1983.

In 1986, Kim took a break from showing to raise her three kids David, Brian & Sarah, while still remaining active on the board for UMASC. David & Brian enjoyed the company of the Aussies, but were never interested in the showing aspect. Sarah, on the other hand, took to Aussies and dog shows like a duck to water. She tagged along with Kim to numerous shows, exhibiting in the pee-wee junior handling class with Meadowlawn's Brooke Be Good, a Dillion daughter. Sarah, of course, was never satisfied with only showing in one class and always questioned why she couldn't run around the ring just one more time. It was with this that we knew Sarah would become hooked to showing dogs.

When Sarah was 10 years old, Kim acquired a beautiful blue merle female, named Chyna (HOF Kinship Chyna Doll, CD, STDds, ROMXII), for her who went back to some of the same dogs as Dillon. Sarah raised and trained Chyna all by herself and turned her into a fabulous juniors and performance dog. While Chyna never obtained her breed Championship, she produced beautiful and talented puppies in her 3 amazing litters for us that eventually earned her ASCA Hall of Fame Dam status. Chyna's daughter, Encore, CH Meadowlawn's Standing Ovation, obtained her ASCA Hall of Fame Dam status, as well. Many of the Meadowlawn dogs today go back to Chyna and we are so pleased to still see Chyna's beautiful type and exceptional temperament in her grandkids and great-grandkids.

Sarah grew up in the Junior Showmanship ring and left quite a mark. She was Best Junior Handler in Finals at the 2001 ASCA Nationals, Reserve Junior Handler in Finals at the 2000, 2002 & 2003 ASCA Nationals, ASCA 500 Club member for 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, Best Junior Handler at the 2003 USASA Nationals, 2004 Westminster Qualifier & pulled to final 10 in group, and 1999-2000 High Point Overall Junior Handler for ASCA year-end standings. Sarah has taken all that she has learned from the Juniors ring and puts it into showing her own dogs today, as well as occasional client dogs. Sarah also completed her first judging assignment, having been asked to judge the 2009 ASCA National Junior Finals in Colorado in October, 2009. Sarah also judged Puppy & Veteran Sweepstakes at the 2010 Minnesota Brittany Club Specialty.

Sarah is the primary handler of our Aussies in the breed ring and actively trains/trials a few select dogs in agility & obedience, as well. Sarah has instructed various classes at Dog Works Training Center in the past, such as Puppy, Basic Obedience, Conformation, and Agility classes. She is currently on hiatus from teaching, but hopes to find time to get back into teaching soon. Kim has been teaching Basic Obedience at Dog Works Training Center for several years. Both Sarah & Kim have an extensive background and years of experience in all the various styles & techniques in training puppies and dogs, and utilizes those skills in raising their litters.

Sarah & Kim pride themselves in producing sound, moderate, intelligent, and healthy Aussies that have and can excel in all venues, as well as make exceptional family companions. Australian Shepherds are a true passion for us and never will there ever be a breed that could top them. It is our goal to continue producing top quality specimens while staying true to what the breed standard calls for and never sacrificing ideal Aussie breed type