or as she should have been called Dash the Wonder Dog
In January or February 1996 we were at an Agility show a couple of miles away from us at Hand Equestrian center and Jerri Omlo from Valgray Rescue was there with a gorgeous black and white collie puppy. Claire our daughter was 7 years old years and had been asking for a dog of her own since she could talk. Probably before if we could of understood her. So we asked Jerri if we could have her. Jerri quite rightly said she would have to keep her while home checks were done. We were a bit dissapointed but it was fair enough. A couple of hours later Jerri came up to us and handed over Dash. She had asked around about us and was prepared to let us have her straight away.
So we took Dash home to the happiest little girl in the world.
Claire did all of the training and care herself and the two of them have an amazing bond. Dash is a natural worker she herds chickens, ducks, sheep and cows, she is also a terrific hunter and has caught mice, rats, rabbits and a mink. She has also been to Crufts 5 times competing in YKC events. Including Agility and Biathlon (a combination of Agility and Obedience). She did not ever develop a fast enough weave to move up the Agility classes (if we knew then what we know now that would not be the case) but we didn't care Claire and her had a fantastic time.
As Claire moved into competing with ponies ( showjumping and mounted games) Dash went to all the shows with her. Dash rarely had a lead on and never got into any trouble usually scrounging some food and then finding somewhere comfortable to curl up and sleep.
She is now 14 years old but it is hard to tell that, she still does twice daily patrols of the farm on her own and helps put the hens and ducks away and moves the sheep.
Sara has worked her in some agility demonstrations and it was so successful she is going to tried some any size classes. Sara did work Dash at the Wraxall UKA show she so impressed the judge that she insisted that they got a first place rosette which really motivated Sara. She did a more training and at the Langford show she genuinely won the anysize agility. There was not a dry eye in the house. After that final success she has finally fully retired.
Gemini Jet
Tip is now quite an old girl at 13 but still potters round and is a great companion for Sara. We bred her ourselves out of Gem and Blaze and she could have been the best working dog of all the dogs we have owned if we new when she was young what we know now. She has a very high guarding instinct which was interpreted by various trainers and so called "behaviourists" as dominance and aggression. It was never a problem at home in fact we could leave her playing with Claire and now Sara safe in the knowledge that not only were they safe with her but no intruder of any sort would get close to our girls. She was very good at agility and did compete for a while with Claire. Things took a turn for the worst when she missed a contact and the Judge took a step toward her (and Claire) raised his hand and shouted FIVE, its the only time I have seen a judge turn white in the ring. We tried a few more times with her but she became more and more protective and the so called experts did not help at all. She took up guard duties at home and she fulfills that role until the present day.
Ratpack Rough Diamond
Rusty is complex little chap. We had six large dogs starting to age and I wanted another puppy but room was a problem. I also thought that as an instructor it was important I learn about training and handling small dogs. I had also wanted a terrier since I was a youngster, when I would go ratting with next doors Corgi. The choice was now between the breeds and I really like Parsons Jack Russells, I started research and contacting breeders, a good tip here even if you want a dog mainly for work, say you want to do some showing. When I said I wanted a dog for the stable and farm yard and to do agility with they all had a choice of dog, as soon as I mentioned Glenda might show it the dogs were withdrawn as they had some defect or other.
I had about given up when Steve Hutchins phoned to say he had a dog he thought would be exceptional for agility and although he would not do brilliantly in the show ring as he had too much marking could still be shown. I made the long drive to see him, and soon as I walked into the pen Rusty shot across and started playing with my shoe laces. He was as good as gold on the trip home as was quickly a hit with the family and everyone he met. I have made a lot of mistakes training him and learnt more than I imagined possible. Anyone who thinks they are a good dog trainer should get a terrier. There have been many times I have said I would never get another Terrier with the intention of serious training but now we have worked our way through the problems I have changed my mind and it would definitely be a PRT. His story continues on the agility page.
YouTube Video
Bryning Blue Diamond For years Claire wanted a blue merle sheltie, and that is not really a good idea on our low lying muddy farm so after much debate we compromised on a blue merle border collie pet name Ty. We wanted a dual registered KC and ISDS pup and after a lot of research found the Bryning line. We could not be more pleased with him, he has a lovely relaxed temperament until it's work time, and then he is as fast as lightning, Claire is now starting to get to grips with working such a fast dog in agility and his herding is getting better all the time. In 2009 he has really progressed he has moved from grade 3 up to grade 5, and qualified for the CSJ national final where he came 8th. We are expecting him to get to grade 6 next season as he is really on very good form. (on the left is a picture of ty's dad, Mac. he's a chocolate tricolour merle). Ty's first litter of pups are due in march 2010 out of a lovely bitch called Honey. We are hopeing for a nice selection of colours combined with good temperaments.
Mac (Ty's Dad)
Louandi Diamond
I have always admired Anne Challis's Belgian Shepherds and Timber (Loandi Creole) is my ideal dog. After loosing Jack I asked Anne for a dog from her next litter. There were a few problems but eventually we brought home Jet. He is proving to be a very good all round dog. He is very friendly and confident with people and dogs thanks to the socialisation Anne started and we have continued. He has only just turned 3 years old and his agility is coming on a treat and is now getting placed in grade 4 classes. He has also shown he has speed on the right sort of course as he won the UKA nataional steeplechase final. He tracks well so could be a good working trials dog if I can find time to put the work in. He has just scraped into the squad for the 2009 GB agility team for the BSD world championships . He did not make the team but the training was a great help and he is a better position to make the team for the 2010 WC.
Draigele Anuska
I was really impressed with a Tervuren bitch I saw working at some UKA shows. We were not looking for another dog at the time so I thought no more of it. Then in spring 2008 Claire suddenly announced she wanted to have a BSD to train and if it was good enough try for the GB team for the Belgian Shepherd Agility World Championships. I started looking around but the breed lines we like were either not planning litters or not until 2009 which meant the new dog would not be ready to compete until 2011. We also wanted the option of being able to breed from her possibly using Jet. We were considering an older dog when we found out the dog I had admired at the UKA shows had just had puppies. Eight weeks later Emmmy came home, she is an absolute star, very bold and willing to try anything. She is proving easy to to train and we have high hopes for her. She is also very good with other dogs and we are starting to use her as a stooge dog in our behavioual work.
Holly (Diamond Eve)
We had been thinking of getting a collie bitch with the hope that she would be good enough to breed to Ty sometime in the future. We started looking but couldn’t find any in this area that we liked and were suitable. We had just found an interesting litter in Worcester when we got a call asking if we would be interested in having a 14 month old ISDS registered collie bitch that desperatley needed rehoming. We went to see her that evening and agreed to take her for a couple of days as she was too nervous of us to judge her character. She hadn’t been let off a chain for ten days as the farmer who had just bought her didn’t trust her to come back to him. We introduced her to Ty and Dash that evening as she had only seen collies before and soon were doing recalls with them up and down the arena. She met the other dogs the next morning and went for a walk round the fields with Ty and Emmie that evening off the lead and she didn’t go out of sight. We found she was in quite bad condition very underweight, badly matted and she had some behaviour problems, but we could not take her back to an uncertain future so the decision was made that she would stay. We are telling her whole story on Hollies Blog.
Helen’s Dogs Diamond Daisy Craze
This is my 5 year old Labrador Cross, Daisy. She is wonderfully loyal intelligent dog, who is cleverer than me. She is as fast as a rocket, chaotic and combined with the intelligence, has made her a very difficult dog for me to train. She has won 2 UKA Steeplechase classes and this year she won a Jumping Class. I have given up on this dog many times but she has taught me so much and loves agility to the extent that I keep carrying on with her. She is brilliant now in training, but when we go to shows the excitement and nerves get the better of us both, and it all goes to pot. So this coming year we have some ideas that will hopefully put us back on track.
Diamond Razamataz
This is my 2 year old rescued Kelpie Taz. I got her just over a year ago, from Dogs Trust. She had been starved and neglected. Dogs Trust had done a good job with her, but they weren’t equipped to meet her needs. She hated being in Kennels and was very stressed. I met her at Caerphilly show, where Rachel from dogs trust had brought her to show her off. My good friend Jan had been talking to her and loved the look of Taz, Jan knew I was looking for a Kelpie in the future and instantly thought of me. She came over to me and said ‘I’ve just met your new dog’ I will never forget those words as I thought she was bonkers!! Four days later Taz had come home, six days later she was on holiday with us in Pembrokeshire! Some things are just meant to be.
Taz had loads of behavioural issues; she had never lived in a house, and never spent much time out of doors. She was bored and frustrated. It took a year before I would consider she was basically rehabilitated but we still have things to work on. Despite her unfortunate start, she is very loving and so willing to please, she is really lovely. From an agility point of view, she is coming on really well. She has the speed of Daisy (actually she is faster but don’t tell her), but she is calm and from recognising the mistakes I had made with Daisy I know what to avoid.
She entered some shows this year to get some experience, and the last show of the season, she did a lovely round, until the very last jump, which I messed up – so near but yet so far!
![mac[1]](images/mac[1].jpg?137)
In 2009 he has really progressed he has moved from grade 3 up to grade 5, and qualified for the CSJ national final where he came 8th. We are expecting him to get to grade 6 next season as he is really on very good form. (on the left is a picture of ty's dad, Mac. he's a chocolate tricolour merle). Ty's first litter of pups are due in march 2010 out of a lovely bitch called Honey. We are hopeing for a nice selection of colours combined with good temperaments.
his is my 2 year old rescued Kelpie Taz. I got her just over a year ago, from Dogs Trust. She had been starved and neglected. Dogs Trust had done a good job with her, but they weren’t equipped to meet her needs. She hated being in Kennels and was very stressed. I met her at Caerphilly show, where Rachel from dogs trust had brought her to show her off. My good friend Jan had been talking to her and loved the look of Taz, Jan knew I was looking for a Kelpie in the future and instantly thought of me. She came over to me and said ‘I’ve just met your new dog’ I will never forget those words as I thought she was bonkers!! Four days later Taz had come home, six days later she was on holiday with us in Pembrokeshire! Some things are just meant to be.