Courtney was my pick from day one out of this litter. (Actually she picked me!) There was just something special about this bitch that I liked. Maybe she reminded me of her mom, as, like her, she also had rear dewclaws! And, although a blue merle, Courtney has similar face markings as her mom. And, when her eyes started to change color? Ditto! Courtney's left eye has just a smidgen of amber!

Later, when she was up on her feet and walking around, her structure was just astounding!

She four-square stacks effortlessly and has a presence that says "HEY! Look at ME!" The photos left and below of Courtney do not do her justice! She may not be flashy, but boy, watch her move! 

Courtney also is VERY spoiled! She tried VERY hard to start sleeping in my bed at 3 wks. I figured then it was time for all the pups to be outside on the porch!

She thinks the goats, sheep and chickens are real neat and would watch them forever with her sister, Georgia, through the fence or when out with them will usually hang out with the *Nice* ones!

Courtney moving into a turn working sheep - with all four feet off the ground.No, that isn't a roachie top-line. She drops her head and is also turning. (And this isn't as low as she usually goes!) Plus the hair on her loin is curling up which doesn't help matters. What's a workin' girl to do!! She is pictured here at 2 yrs 10 mos.

One thing I will also say about this girl is she is a workaholic. When I think it's time to go into the house, Courtney will usually lay down in front of the pen waiting to go back to work. Courtney also is great in going out and putting the stock back in the pens, then she will lay either inside the pen with the sheep, quietly dozing off or outside the pen. The sheep are quite content and at ease.Courtney is a very quiet worker, hasn't started heeling but does head. She will also go under the sheep in the take pen/chute and goose them to get them moving.

Courtney went to her first ASCA Trial on October 13/14th, 2001. At 17 mos. she got her Started Trial Dog Sheep title! We were VERY, VERY Proud of her! She took control of her sheep and kept them together.

We started training with Elsie Rhodes in 2002. Courtney is taking better time and rating but still likes to get things interesting as you can see by her trial scores! She is also now showing a lot of eye (which has been passed on to her from her dad and grandma) now that she is slowing down in her working.Courtney is now starting to works cows as well as working towards advanced work.

In June we went to the Hovander Trials and boy were we surprised! Check out her scores! From finishing her STD d on Saturday to her first time in Open Ducks on Sunday she Q's on very hard ducks both days and goes High In Trial! WHAT A GIRL!!

Courtney's next days out where in August at Langley. It was also her first time trialing on Cattle. Granted we didn't Q either day but she was impressive and garnered some nice comments from the judges. Courtney also finished her Open titles on sheep and ducks with some pretty nice scores as well as another 1st place in Ducks and on Sheep!

Courtney's third try on cattle gains her first leg with a 2nd place. (She Q'd for first but it was broken by time - we were slower!) Stock was tough but she hung in there! And her next run in July she Q's and gains her STD c with 4th place.

Well, her 2nd time out in Advanced Ducks and she qualifies with an 88 and a 4th place! WOW. 7 more legs to go!

We are now working in Advanced and towards our PATD's.

July 2005 - Courtney finishes her ATDd! Six more legs to go!

June /July 2007

After a brief training camp in November 2006 at Sherry Bakers, I learned a few things that I had been doing wrong and also realized that I had a really nice working dog that could move cattle. This attitude adjustment - thanks to Sherry - revitilized our working partnership and has let Courtney shine on cattle. Although working tough cattle lately at trials, we haven't qualified yet in Open, but have come close and have picked up and been consistently in the top placements in large classes.

Courtney

Courtney

Courtney

Neo

Ezra

Cash

Viper

Chant

Talon

Summer