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WhiteRose Sheepdogs

20th July 2011

Hillmoor Blu 311493 - Born 3rd September 2010

Bob 224454 - Aled Owen (2000 Int Supreme Champion & 2002 World Champion)

Sire: Roy 266416 - Aled Owen (2007 Int Supreme Champion & 2008 World Champion)

Nell 244346 - G.S.Owen

Sid 244416 - Jim Cropper (Eng National Team 2002 & 2002 Reserve World Champion)

Dam: Irwell Mika 298052 - S E Mobberley

Calderdale Tess 285139 - Jim Cropper ( Nursery Champion & Open Winner)

This dog is free from CEA as both parents are DNA tested CEA Normal.

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.The Working Sheep Dog

Glen

A good "Working Sheep Dog" is a breed apart from the current dogs seen at today's Sheepdog Trials. You sometimes see them at Nursery Trials throughout the Winter, but they are not regulars in the prizes. They are usually too pushy on their sheep, tighter on their flanks as they like to lean on their sheep in order to dominate them; and when only working three sheep this creates too much pressure for the sheep. Whereas the current trialling dog seems to be happy with staying off it's sheep, not only because it has been trained to do so, but it has more than likely been bred from generations of previous trials dogs who have made names for themselves by winning sheepdog trials. Have we fallen into the trap of breeding for trials and so neglected the original principle of the International Sheep Dog Society, which was to improve the standard of the working dog to help the shepherd and sheep farmer. I for one cannot decry anyone from going down the road of just producing dogs to win at trials, for I have bred and trained many successful trial dogs. But I feel there is a danger if we are to continue with just trialling in mind that we will lose the lines of the true working dog. A dog that is sound in temperament, with both people and sheep. Confident in it's own ability. Easy to live with. Prepared to work with it's handler. Cool, yet can be forceful in it's work. Tremendous stamina, during long periods of work. Honest and true. Too many dogs today have poor temperaments with people and sheep. Many are high maintenance who we are continuously fighting with. Many are dishonest and will take a cheap shot when ever they think they can get away with it. Are they really "man's best friend" ? or are they using us for their own ends. Have they become so highly bred from trials winning stock that they are losing the image of the "old faithful", shepherds dog. that could be relied on to help out with any job. That you could see when training him that he was trying to please and understand what was asked of him, rather than ready to fly around in order to work the sheep as he desired, due to his inbred qualities, rather than with an understanding of pleasing his master.

It is my goal to try and breed and train the working sheep dog. It is not just for the love of the breeding true curs; for I admire all canines and the owners who enjoy them and stimulate them in any form of attendance to their needs, rather than just allowing them to rot their lives away. But my heart is in the cur. He is the canine who has served the shepherd and sheep farmer for hundreds of years and has been recognised for one hundred years service by the International Sheep Dog Society in the U. K from where he originated. There is no arrogant attitude to this venture, only self satisfaction at the end result. Should I get there.

Glen is my start. He is a dog with an exceptional temperament. He has a rock solid temperament with both people and other dogs. He shows no sign of nerves to either. He is pleased to meet anyone and he will work for anyone who takes him to sheep. He is cool and thoughtful in his manner of working, and try's his utmost to please whoever he is working for. He thinks about the job from leaving his handler, looking for his sheep as he outruns. If there are sheep beyond the first packet he approaches then he can be blown out with ease to continue his outrun as he looks for the next packet. There is no fighting with him as he is implicitly obedient. He can be so gentle with his sheep, he can appear weak, but he can put 500 sheep into a pen or load a truck of 250 like a lion. Yes at this point he can give a nasty suck with any trouble makers, but the job gets done. He seems to understand the occasion whatever job he is asked to do. I don't think we begin to touch the intelligence of these curs. ( I took Glen to a trial last Saturday. On the way I had to meet a truck driver to gather and load 200 sheep which we had sold. It was the usual shouting and excitement as we loaded the sheep. Not the right thing I thought for on the way to a sheep dog trial. Never the less Glen completely changed at the trial and moved the 3 sheep round the course as gentle as a lamb. Even at the pen when one tried to break, he just covered it and kept it with the others before it could escape. He won the trial ) I was once told " you can fool a person, but you can never fool a dog " If you truly like them, they know it. If you dislike like them; despite giving them a pat and a "good dog" voice, they also know, thinking " who do you think your kidding !!!" When you put your hand on a dog with true feeling, it goes all the way through them, and so you start to create a bond.

Glen x Lyn litter. Very friendly with fear of nothing. This was there last day before moving to individual kennels and runs. They will still be side by side but in their own space. They will be given play time and introduced to the other members of my kennel.

Glen's offspring are now six months and are all wanting to work sheep. They are turning out just as I hoped they would. Thanks to Glen & Lyn.

Whiterose Litter

Born : 23rd December 2008

Sire : John Atkinson's Glen 280507

Dam : John Atkinson's Lyn 279921

Russ Woody Meg Millie

At a very early age they are taught that they each have their own dish. There is never any trying to pinch each others food therefore it prevents confrontation; and they all receive an equal portion. If they are fed in their runs, they have to go through a maze of runs and stand in their own run until they are given their food. Initially they will get this wrong and you can have two pups in the same run anxiously waiting their food. They are then guided to their own run by voice and hand direction, but never touched by hand. They have to work it out for themselves. Eventually when they nearly have it the odd one may make a mistake, but if I ask in surprised tone what they are doing in the wrong run, they will go to their own. This always brings a smile. It is usually the more wilful male that will try this. Females certainly think more about what is asked of them. All this is long before they will ever see a sheep, be taught a lie-down, or even lead trained. It is part of being raised with manners, and it makes later training so much more easy.

25th May 2010 - The litter( Glen x Lyn) have all gone to working homes; and I have had good reports back from their new owners. They were bred and raised to be low maintenance dogs and it worked just as I wanted. Maybe one will turn up at a trial in the future but it was my aim to have them as easy care companions who were willing to help there handlers as well as think for themselves.

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Contact Details

Tel: 01977 685890 Mobile: 07850 710837 E-mail JohnAtkinson