Tristan is the Collie that started it all for us. When we added sheep to our farm, we moved them between pens with our UD Vizsla, Devon. But when the sheep escaped onto the front yard and Devon was unable to get them back to the pasture, we knew it was time to get a real herding dog to help with the flock. And so Tristan came into our lives.
We were very fortunate -- despite the fact that Tristan's pedigree did not have any dogs who did herding in it, he possessed plenty of natural instinct and ability. It didn't take long for us to get addicted to training for herding and begin our quest to help preserve the working ability of the Collie.
Tristan is now retired and leaves the real work to the younger dogs that have followed him. But he still supervises all activities on the farm from "his" rock, or from the fireplace hearth.