In 1995 my life was forever changed by my first Border Collie. I had wanted an intelligent dog that could be trained for sports. Mom suggested a Border Collie since she had grown up around her Aunt Kate's ever amazing dog, Duncan. So, early that spring, a homely little tri color puppy joined our family. At the airport I opened the crate door, he stepped out, took one look at me and decided that I was his human. It really was love at first sight.
Duncan quickly exceeded my wildest dreams for a best buddy and partner in crime. He learned as fast as I could train him, picking up new tricks and behaviors at an alarming pace. I finally had my sport dog, so I didn't waste any time finding a place where I could train for agility and flyball. Not surprisingly, Duncan excelled at both.
When he was 2 years old I got the crazy idea to hook him up to a sled. Many people have the same thought on a cold, snowy winter day, but few ever take it to the level that I did. I bought my first dog sled in 1997. Duncan was soon joined by several other Border Collies, Flyboy, Freya, Luna and Loki. I started to train for and compete in dog sledding races. A lot of people thought I was a little strange for using Border Collies instead of huskies, but I loved my breed and they stopped laughing when I crossed the finish line.
My life changed yet again in 2002 when a still very young Freya shined at a sheepdog clinic. I was hopelessly in love with a new activity. Other Border Collie addicts will find the rest of my story familiar. I immersed myself in working my dogs on sheep, spending every penny on my new found activity. Just a few months after being started Freya won the first trial she ran in, followed in quick succession by a number of other wins and placements.
School kept me away from my hobbies for several years, but I started right back where I left off once I had free time again. Right now my focus is on training Border Collies for real farm work on any type of stock. I look for a dog that is fair, honest, has the power to move anything, the natural ability to read stock, a do or die attitude and a strong desire to work with a handler. I don't think that is asking too much of a well bred Border Collie.
Elizabeth Anne Phares, DVM
NBKSheepdogs at gmail dot com