My name is Karen and I'm obsessed with Border Collies! This obsession began when I got my first black & white Border Collie, Jess, when I was a young girl. I loved her to bits. I used to do everything with her including making up my own agility courses in the backyard for her to run around. Fast forward to 2015 when my foundation girl Stellar joined our family, it was then that I was able to realise a life long dream to become a registered Dogs Australia (formerly ANKC) / DogsWest Breeder of these wonderful dogs. 

I have a human family too, a husband Lee and two children, Ashley & Cooper. That's actually where the name "Kaleasco" comes from, it's the first 2 letters of all of our names in chronological order. I pronounce it Kalee-Asco in case you were wondering. 

As a breeder, it’s important to focus on improving the breed and producing dogs that meet the breed standard as closely as possible. But it is equally, if not more so, important to concentrate on producing dogs with wonderful temperaments. My breeding program aims to do both, while also incorporating the different colours of the breed to improve the quality of coloured Border Collies, not just black & white. 

My dogs live inside and have free run of the house, with open access to the yards. They are part of our everyday lives and go with us wherever possible, whether that’s the park, the beach, exploring, or out for breakfast or lunch anywhere dog friendly. Their puppies are born in my home, and I sleep beside the whelping box until the mums are comfortable on their own. Raising a litter is a full time, hands on commitment, and something I take very seriously.

Our dogs are DNA tested, which is crucial to ensure they never produce any pups with diseases that can occur in our breed. They are also hip and elbow scored when they are old enough (normally 1-2 years old) to help minimise the chances of hip & elbow dysplasia. 

Nutrition is the foundation of all aspects of health for puppies as they grow and develop. All our puppies are fed Lyka Pet Food as soon as they’re weaned from their mothers. Lyka meals are freshly prepared, lightly cooked and made with high quality, human grade ingredients. These meals are nutritionally balanced and vet formulated, so we know we’re giving them the best possible start. With Lyka, puppies are supported through each growth stage into adulthood and beyond! We recommend all our puppy parents continue to feed Lyka to give their dogs the best chance at a long, healthy life. For more information, visit https://lyka.com.au/join/KALEASCO20

Life as a breeder is something that’s hard to truly understand unless you live it. It’s not a job you can switch off from, it’s a full time commitment, every single day. Everything revolves around the dogs, their needs, and the responsibility you carry for every life you bring into the world. Even simple things like planning holidays or time away become complicated, and often take a back seat.

Because of this, I’ve made the decision to take a step back from breeding and showing for the time being. I will (fingers crossed) be having one upcoming litter with Raven & Houdini, and beyond that I’m unsure what the future will look like in terms of further litters, if any. This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s the right one to ensure I can continue to give my dogs the time, care, and attention they deserve.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website.

Karen 

Updated 23/3/2026

Jess AKA Mighty Moo, me (Karen) and Teddy the Golden Retriever (my second favourite breed, maybe one day I'll breed them too, but not together!)