Trialling is over for me for another year and as usual I learnt much, achieved a few results and had some bad runs like most. 3 Sheep Trialling would have to be the most frustrating sport I have ever tried. You can train all year and go out thinking you are so prepared for it to all go pear shaped in about 5 minutes. Everything has to working for you, your mental game, you dog, the sheep even the environment around you. Amazing sport! I was very pleased with new comers Ace and Angel as well as my old timers like Bonnie Lass. Talking old timers Kate's first dog Gleeson had his last trial this year and is now retired. He has been a wonderful dog for Kate to start in this sport. He has also been a real asset out in the paddock. Now with his hearing failing and his eyesight not the best it is time for this old fellow to relax. From Kate and I we would like to say thank you! Now it is time to train a new batch with Ohutu Faith and Munn's Georgie Girl to make their debut next year. I attended a training day at Mick Rigby's and took the young ones. Although frustrating at times it is the best thing to do. They get exposure to different people, sheep and outside dogs. I liked Karma and Charlie who showed enough for me to get keen to continue. Karma could win you over on looks alone.
My training is continually changing with the more I learn. I am happy with starting a pup at a older age and also have found the calmer approach gives far better results. Always remember if it is going wrong stop, put the pup away and try again tomorrow! I now have a very strong mixture of UK and Australian lines in my breeding program which often leads to the obvious question asked by many, Do these lines suit the Australian way of working and trialling. I have heard over the past year some interesting points of view. When it comes to what sort of dogs you have I think this is a very personal decision that means you must have the dogs that suit you not others. I now have seen many UK lines in Australia and it is a shame so many breeders now are trying to cash in on it and are breeding from average dogs. UK and imported doesn't mean they are better and it doesn't mean they are worse. There is good and bad just like the Australian lines. I bought mine to add new blood, to keep the border collies strong in mind and to improve certain traits. I found many Australian Border collies were flooded with the same lines and the inbreeding percentage was getting quite high. For me the UK inclusion in my bloodlines is proving to be a good decision and I am looking forward to more litter that will include the best of the Australian lines added with the best imported blood. Ace is proving invaluable in the paddock and I love his strength of mind.
Outside of dog matters the property is still in drought and life is tricky at the moment. We have put in place all the measure needed to get us through. It is a tough time for many and I hope we can get some relief soon. The kids are all due in the end of June and I am very excited about the visit. We are marking our lambs and selling off quite a few cattle as well as doing a bit of work on the house. We also have a small amount of branding needed. Great time to get the young dogs going. Winter has finally hit and it is time to put on the woollies and rug up and of course perfect weather to be watching the footy on the weekends. Look out for the next blog, I am hoping to be reporting on some the pups that should be doing great things by then. Stay safe and warm.
My training is continually changing with the more I learn. I am happy with starting a pup at a older age and also have found the calmer approach gives far better results. Always remember if it is going wrong stop, put the pup away and try again tomorrow! I now have a very strong mixture of UK and Australian lines in my breeding program which often leads to the obvious question asked by many, Do these lines suit the Australian way of working and trialling. I have heard over the past year some interesting points of view. When it comes to what sort of dogs you have I think this is a very personal decision that means you must have the dogs that suit you not others. I now have seen many UK lines in Australia and it is a shame so many breeders now are trying to cash in on it and are breeding from average dogs. UK and imported doesn't mean they are better and it doesn't mean they are worse. There is good and bad just like the Australian lines. I bought mine to add new blood, to keep the border collies strong in mind and to improve certain traits. I found many Australian Border collies were flooded with the same lines and the inbreeding percentage was getting quite high. For me the UK inclusion in my bloodlines is proving to be a good decision and I am looking forward to more litter that will include the best of the Australian lines added with the best imported blood. Ace is proving invaluable in the paddock and I love his strength of mind.
Outside of dog matters the property is still in drought and life is tricky at the moment. We have put in place all the measure needed to get us through. It is a tough time for many and I hope we can get some relief soon. The kids are all due in the end of June and I am very excited about the visit. We are marking our lambs and selling off quite a few cattle as well as doing a bit of work on the house. We also have a small amount of branding needed. Great time to get the young dogs going. Winter has finally hit and it is time to put on the woollies and rug up and of course perfect weather to be watching the footy on the weekends. Look out for the next blog, I am hoping to be reporting on some the pups that should be doing great things by then. Stay safe and warm.
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