In the ten years since John and I began breeding Kelpies we discovered a ‘code of silence’ amidst the breeders about a certain genetic disorder known as Cerebellah Abiotrophy (CA), or Ataxia.
The first litter of pups we bred were all healthy until they reached three months.
Two developed a tremor. The breeders of the sire and dam said they had never seen the condition before.
We put the pups down thinking it was a one off and tried for another litter.
It’s so rewarding to hear from people we’ve helped in finding a working dog. Recently Steve got in touch via the website asking for a red kelpie pup.
He was still grieving the loss of his old Kelpie so we felt we needed to find him a new buddy as soon as possible.
Our friends Lucy and Darren have a lovely line of Kelpies which are nice workers and kid-friendly as well.
By networking in the shearing sheds, we were soon able to line up a pup for Steve.
Here’s the latest news from Steve and “Mick”…
Mick helped the Shearer today — he even took off into the paddock and brought four newly shorn sheep back into the yard — the Shearer was impressed.
I think it might have been a fluke, but he is one top dog.
He learnt to “sit” on the first day.
Thanks again, Steve
Here’s a letter and some photos from one of our new owners of our Border Collie pups. Sounds like life’s going to be great for that little pup.
Hi Rachael & John, Wow!!! Thank-you so much for such a great little pup.
She’s an absolute ripper. I think you’ll agree she seems to have settled in OK.
After picking her up last Sunday, I had to drop into work, and of course everyone wanted to see and pat her.
As I hadn’t named her, the pub ran a naming competition, followed by an impromptu christening, using champagne instead of holy water to wet her head.
She now has a tag longer than her body —“Indigo Rose” — “Indi” for short.
By the Monday she was coming to her name. She’s a bright, happy, confident little pup, with a healthy appetite.
She comes to feed the chooks but isn’t sure what to make of them, because they’re so tame, they don’t run away & squawk. It’s the same with the cat. She enjoys trying to round up the two goat kids, but is a bit apprehensive about the adult does.
Yesterday I tried her on a lead. When she wasn’t distracted by all the interesting smells, she went well. So thanks once again for a great little pup. — DB
There’s three males left in the litter, so jump in quick.
Here are our Max/Diamond pups with their eyes just open. Three of the six pups are already pre-sold, but if you’re after a paddock dog, these pups will be spot on for your business. The parents work both sheep and cattle and are very biddable. If you want to put your name down on a list for a Border Collie pup register your interest with Sally from Rural Connections. If all our own pups are sold, the Kelpie & Collie Co can assist you in finding similar types.
The great thing about kids is their funny spin on life. Here’s the last of Connie’s pups. He was the runt but he’s turned into a healthy lad. It was time to name him so I asked my little daughter what we should call him. Her answer was “Listen”. So here he is — a pup called Listen. A gorgeous name for a Kelpie. Original and funny. He’s for sale and is gentle enough in his nature to be both a pet (in the right family) or a working dog. For enquiries email Sally.
Our Tassie Kelpie & Collie Collective is in the process of planning some working dog schools in the north and south of the state this year. If you would like to register your interest in a school please email John.
Numbers will be limited to 10 people.
If you’re not in Tassie, our dog training friends in South Australia are Ben and Lyn Page. They offer Working Dog Schools. They’ve just created a web site.
Otherworking dogtrainers are listed with The Working Kelpie Council.
Come see our site at Agfest at N71 and on your way stop in to watch the three sheep dog trials in which one of our members, Lee Jamison will be competing.
All handlers are keen to do well at Agfest this year as it is one of five qualifying rounds for the ABC interstate TV series which will be held in Tasmania late this year and screened on National television in the first quarter on 2008. Each state will have two reps.
Expected to do well at Agfest this year is the recently crowned National Champion Bernard McGlashan and his dog Murph.
Here’s some photos of the pups at six weeks handling some sheep — and doing a pretty good job.
Our Kelpie & Collie Collective mates can help you network with Australia’s best breeders & trainers or introduce you to working dog sports. Ask any one of us!
Pandara Kelpie Stud (est. ‘93), Matt & Margie Johnson, Westbury
Phone (03) 6393 2189 or 0407 013 733.
We’ve known Matt & Margie for over a decade. They are experts on good bloodlines and have helped us with training, welping and handling questions. They are passionate about dogs and use them in both yard dog trials and for real farm work. They have a network of working dog friends that stretches across Australia, so they can put you on the path to finding a dog to suit you. Click here to email Pandara Kelpie Stud
Tasmanian Working Sheepdog Association, Lee Jamieson
As president, Lee can help you become involved in the sport of three sheep trialling or put you in touch with Tassie’s best collie breeders. Go to their website or email Lee, the pin-up bloke for Coprice, and a wonderful contact. He’s got the border collie world at his fingertips, so can help you access the best working dogs in the nation. He’ll also have you sold on the thrill of three sheep trialling.
Blue Hill Kelpies, James & Katrina Ridgway
James works his dogs everyday in challenging country in his job as a farm manger. He has good natured all-rounders, that do the job during the week then compete in Yard Dog Competitions on weekends. Katrina is secretary of the Tasmanian Yard Dog Association and can help you to become involved in the sport. We’re so proud of our mates as they own, Kate, ‘06 Yard Dog of the Year. Phone; 0428 815 228 or click here to email them.
Treasure’s Kelpie’s, John & Rachael Treasure
We breed both Kelpies and Collies for use on our sheep & cattle farm. Because we are so busy with books, farm, kids and animals, we can’t keep up with the demand for working dogs. That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of our mates above. Any litters we breed will be posted here at the Kelpie & Collie Co site. So keep watching. For direct enquiries, email John
Our working dog demonstrations at Tassie’s famous Bream Creek Show last weekend was a chance to trial our new Tasmanian Kelpie & Collie Collective shirts.
People need sunnies to look at us, but at least you can find us easily in a crowd.
We’ve organised the shirts for our big bang celebration launch of The Rouseabout at Agfest in May.
It was also a chance to take Connie’s seven week old pups out for the day. The handling and exposure to strange noises and smells go a long way in imprinting the pup to handle all kinds of situations when they are older.
Plus they are a hit with the kids!