When Linda Wilson told you to do something you did it. No questions asked. It was usually for your own good.
From a young age she was a force of nature. To say Linda was competitive is an understatement. Instead of dolls, Linda played with toy horses, building corrals, and stables for them. When her older sister Alice left for college, Linda snuck into her room and threw each of her porcelain dolls down the stairs, breaking them all!
Linda inherited her competitive spirit from her father and together they owned, showed, and bred quarter horses for halter, western pleasure, cutting, and racing. She often spoke proudly of breeding to the great AQHA sire Three Bars.
It was at a horse show in the mid 1960’s that Linda saw her first Australian Shepherd and later, the famous rodeo entertainer Jay Sisler and his team of Aussies. By 1968 Briarbrook Kennel was founded.
As a breeder, owner and handler, Linda bred countless AKC and ASCA Champions, National Specialty winners and performance titled Aussies. Briarbrook is a USASA and ASCA Hall of Fame Kennel that also produced four Westminster Keneel Club Best of Breed winners. Linda’s AKC ASCA Ch Briarbrook’s Silver Sequence remains the top producing dam of all time, while her son AKC Ch Briarbrook’s Valedictorian to date is the top producing sire for the breed.
Despite her many personal achievements, Linda was most proud of her involvement and efforts to achieve AKC recognition for the Australian Shepherd. Along with a small group of long-time breeders, Linda put her reputation on the line to see that dream realized on April 15, 1991. She was a founding member of The United States Australian Shepherd Association. In recognition of this early work and sacrifice, Linda and eight other founding members were presented lifetime memberships to USASA.
Briarbrook Kennel has been synonymous with outstanding Australian Shepherds for decades. Through Linda’s intelligence, keen eye and boundless passion, Briarbrook has become the foundation for countless successful breeders today. One would be hard pressed to find an extended pedigree that did not contain at least one Briarbrook ancestor.
Linda’s family considered her an animal whisperer, and this applied to her love of cats as well. Her feline companions were mostly strays which included her beautiful calico “Callie”, rescued one day at a dog show. Callie became the dog show cat, traveling thousands of miles in the motorhome with a string of winning Aussies. But Linda also had a passion for purebreds and was rarely without a Siamese. She loved their talkative spirit that was exhibited by her current “Josie”. Anyone that spoke to Linda by phone got the honor of conversing with Josie as well!
Linda lived the concept of ‘talk less, watch more’. Her eyes were always open to the world around her and she rarely voiced an opinion until it mattered. When she did, everyone listened. She had a mischievous spirit and a cultivated sense of humor, with a talent for planting educational seeds of information. She was a quiet and powerful force. Linda was a mentor to countless breeders. Past and present.
Linda’s life was committed to the protection and advancement of the breed she loved. She leaves a legacy of leadership, mentorship and outstanding progeny that will keep the Australian Shepherd alive and well for generations to come. Her impact and influence will live on, but her daily presence will be deeply missed by her immediate and extended family she held dear.
Linda was preceded in death by her father Robert Wilson, her mother Mildred Wilson, and her brother John Danner, Jr. She is survived by her sister Alice Mohr; her nieces Christina Mohr Guerreiro, Diana DeAraujo, Kimber Shields; her nephew Eric Danner; and many beloved extended family members.
Contributions may be made to USASA Foundation or Phoenix Hospice In Time of Need Foundation in care of Ulmer Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.
