I believe that livestock should be worked calmly and
with patience.
Dogs working with the average stockperson need to have enough natural
ability in order to work
stock
correctly without extensive training
which could translate into constant commanding by the
stockperson
while
working. Stockwork should not be an exercise in yelling at a dog, nor
should the
work itself be
focused on the dog. After all, the
stock is what it is all about.
The dogs I have chosen to breed from have generations of excellent work
and breeding behind
them.
The men who bred the progenitors were and are
some of the finest stockmen ever to grace
Earth. These
men continually
selected the same type of dog in order that the livestock be worked
consistently and
fairly.
On my web pages, you will not see photographs of dogs chewing
the faces off cattle or
attempting to drag stock down. My dogs do
not work in this fashion, as I feel this reflects
poor
livestock
handling.
The main characteristics I breed for in my dogs are:
1) Nature - My dogs are outgoing and content and enthusiastic
about life and work. They need a
certain
amount of sensitivity and a
great deal of self confidence
2) Temperament - My dogs can be trained with reasonable methods
and learn quickly. They
respond to
correction with good humor and
character. They adjust to a variety of situations quickly
and
willingly.
3) Soundness - I strive to breed dogs with good athletic ability
and functional proportions.
4) Intelligence - My dogs learn by doing the work asked of them.
They figure out what is needed of
them and they attempt to please me
until they get it right.
5) Essential work characteristics/traits
A) Cast - naturally
wide and deep
B) Cover
C) Hold
D) Eye - appropriate for the situation
The lines I have selected exhibit the requisite characteristics
along with depth of
pedigree.
Registration: I register my dogs with the WORKING KELPIE COUNCIL
OF AUSTRALIA,
INC. www.wkc.org.au
This organization maintains a studbook tracing the lineage of the
Working
Kelpie.
I accept no other registry as being dedicated to the
preservation of the correct working style
of the
Working Kelpie.
If I do not have a dog that would suit your needs or wishes, I
am always happy to direct you
to
other breeders for help.
Sincerely Yours,
Bill Davis, DVM
