In 1998 I met a Collie named Mac (HC San-Wal's Morgan MacGregor HXAds ATDd OTDs STDc HRDIIIs HTDIs), owned by Christine Carilli. He had herding drive and desire that far exceeded any Collie I had ever seen -- he would work, steady and sure, the entire day if you let him, but when not working was happy to just hang out like a mellow house companion. I discovered that not only did he have amazing working traits, but he was also extremely healthy and normal-eyed (probably a non-carrier of Collie Eye Anomaly). I began watching to see when/if he sired any litters, as I was interested in getting a puppy out of him. Not being a show-quality dog, however, breeders were reluctant to use him, and in a few years it became apparent that if I didn't breed to him, I might never get the chance to own one of his pups. Thus began a life-changing quest to find the right bitch to breed to him, as I didn't want to see these genetics wasted. I searched high and low for a bitch who would compliment Mac physically, match his superior health, and had enough natural herding talent herself to increase the likelihood of producing talented herding pups.
I finally found the right bitch in the summer of 2001. I brought Sierra home on a "trial basis" to try her out on sheep. The test period only lasted one day -- her natural ability, desire, and biddability were apparent from the first moment I set her to work, and although I was only looking to lease, I decided to buy her immediately. She quickly earned her test level titles before taking a break from herding for our much-anticipated litter with Mac. On May 2, 2002, she whelped 8 normal-eyed rough puppies, all of whom have gone on to performance homes and are proving themselves to be talented, willing working partners as well as sound, stable, healthy companions.
In addition to herding, we've dabbled a bit in obedience and agility as well, and she throws herself gleefully into any activity. In February, 2005, we earned her RN (Rally Novice) obedience title. Hopefully we'll find the time to earn more titles. An extremely happy Collie, everyone who meets Sierra falls in love with her sparkling, bouncy personality. |
