Acadia Infinite Spirit, (AKC) HSAs; (ASCA) STDs&d, OTDs; (AHBA) HRD Is, HTAD Is, IIs, HTAD Id

Kathy has sent me this update on Finn.  Reports like these bring joy to my heart.  It is my pleasure to share these wonderful dogs with others, and then to share the successes they have, as pets, or competition dogs.

Kathy writes, "Finn is a wonderful companion at home and out working.  He is my special boy!  I don't know what to add. We have enjoyed agility lessons and he is a registered therapy dog through Therapy Dogs Inc.  He enjoys visiting senior residences and nursing homes.  Finn loves herding! We've worked sheep, goats, ducks and geese. He is so excited to be at the ranch when we train. We help move stock, set them out for others and do any chores we can.  We are working hard to compete in Advanced AKC, AHBA and ASCA sheep some time soon. We did earn his HTAD Id title 8/23. He loves ducks!  He is my boy :) "
Acadia Infinite Spirit (AKC) CGC, HT, PT, HS; (ASCA) STDs&d, OTDs; (AHBA) HRD Is,

HTAD Is, IIs, HTAD Id

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HUGE NEWS!!!!!! *NEW HERDING CHAMPION** Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, AXJ

Sunday WIT placed 2nd (score of 96) in a large Excellent Level class to win the FINAL 3 POINTS!!! of the HERDING CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

He really did this title with Style!  WIT was High in Trial on Sheep at the ASSA National in Tucson (2010) from the Excellent Level, and Reserve High in Trial on Ducks at that same National, also from the Excellent level.   He won a major and a 1st place by beating many top border collies.  He completed the title with a final major.  

WIT is an amazing herding dog- and anyone who saw him work knew it, but the title make it "offical".  I couldn't be any prouder of WIT, Morene Brown, and Sue Bradley for all they did to accomplish this goal. 

WIT is 9 years old and is the FIRST Acadia bred herding champion!!!!

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New *HSAs* Acadia Infinite Spirit, *HSAs*

On Saturday Kathy and Finn completed the Herding Started title on the A course with Sheep (HSAs) with Style! Finn was 1st place in his class with a score of 88 from judge Rusty Jeffers (pictured)- Finn even beat out a Border Collie for the top honor.

On Sunday Kathy kept Finn in the Herding Started class and he again qualified with a score of 85 and a third place win.

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Finn wins Reserve High In Trial on Saturday, and High In Trial on Sunday for 2 HS legs!

WOW! Kathy emailed to tell me about Finn's first AKC Herding Trial. A Trial includes the Started, Intermediate, and Advanced classes. It takes 3 legs to earn the Herding Started (HS) title and Finn showed them how it was done this past weekend. Kathy said, "Just wanted to let you know that in his first run in Started Sheep at the AKC trial today Finn came in second place with a score of 94. We got Reserve High in Trial. The first place dog had a score of 94 1/2. We did the run in 3 min 15 second. I'm am so pleased !!!! The first picture is with the judge Priscilla Phillips and the second is with Priscilla and Finn and my trainer Sandy Moore.

We go again tomorrow. The weather today was cold, but no snow or rain as predicted. Great day for trialing :)"

On Sunday Kathy said, "Just had to share again :) Today Finn was High in Trial with a first place in started sheep. Our score was 96.5 points. Linda Rorem was the judge. We did it in 3 min 7 sec. It was overcast and snowy in the morning, but got sunny in the afternoon for Finn's run. He needs one more qualifying run for a started title in sheep."

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Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, AXJ wins ANOTHER Major and ANOTHER 1st Place win towards the Herding Championship

WIT is now just 3 points away from being a Herding Champion (HC). WIT has continued to amaze me with his consistent and steady herding. This dog is not just good, he is GREAT. Since he only goes to one or two trials a year, it is taking a while to get the championship, but when he gets to the trial, he makes the most of it. This is one sheltie that has not had to worry about meeting the requirements (a major and a 1st place win)- he has done that over and over. His next trial is not until Feburary- and then I hope to report a new champion!

Congratulations to his owner Morene Brown and Trainer Sue Bradley
(The Ribbons are from the ASSA National Herding Trail in Tucson when WIT was High In Trial- Sheep and Reserve High In Trial-ducks)

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Acadia Infinate Spirit, PT, CGC- video of PT leg

This video is one of Finn's two legs for the Pre-Trial (PT) herding test. (I recommend watching it twice as it stops to download the first time. Also, click the x in corner of the ad to make it go away). To earn the title a dog must qualify two times under two different judges. Herding is the controlled movement of livestock. The AKC has two "Test" levels, Herding Tested (HT) and Pre-trial tested (PT) and three "Trial" levels, Herding Started (HS), Herding Intermediate (HI) and Herding Excellent (HX). At each level the dog must demonstrate more and more responsibility. At the lower levels, the handler is allowed to move with the sheep and the dog must demonstrate control (stopping and sitting or laying down), must keep the sheep with the handler and not chase them all over, have a change of direction, and finally, must help the handler put the sheep back in a pen in a controlled manner. The sheep must also go through various obstacles with each level. At the PT level, there are two panels. The sheep must go between the fence and the panels in each direction. They are given 10 minutes to complete the course. Finn did the course in 4:53 minutes and maintained control the whole time. He makes this look easy, but I have seen dogs really not ready for this level- and it is ugly!
Now that Finn has mastered this level, he will move on the the HS level. There he will demonstrate more responsibility by going and picking up the sheep and bringing them back to the handler, and then he will have three obstacles the sheep will have to maneuver through.

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First AKC herding Title for Acadia Infinite Spirit, *PT* CGC

Today Finn completed the required two qualifying scores to complete the Pre-trial tested (PT) herding title. Kathy said the judge on Saturday wrote, "Lovely dog- good potential" on his score sheet.

Xena and Finn are littermates. Within one week of eachother they have each completed the entry level titles of the venues they are being training in. I am so proud of both of these puppies and their owners- thank you! for all of the hard work you guys put into these dogs!

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Finn earns his first herding title

Acadia Infinite Spirit, CGC (Finn)

Finn and Kathy earned their first herding title- the ASCA Herding Started Title and he even came in 3rd place for his final leg of the title. Finn is really doing well and earns admirers every time he goes to a new place to herd.

Kathy said their trainer Sandy even called people over to watch Finn herding ducks. Sandy said that Finn is a good example of how a dog should treat the ducks (well we know that he DIDN'T get that trait from his great-grandmother Molly!!! But Grampa Show Low also loves his ducks!)

If Kathy can find a reliable person to take some video of Finn herding, we will post it on the YouTube channel. Congratulations Kathy and Finn

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Today Acadia Infinite Spirit earned his CGC- and Finn herding in June 2010

Acadia Infinite Spirit, aka- Finn , and Kathy earned the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) award today. Congratulations! Finn was born in Februrary 2010. He is one of the "future stars" and I am already enjoying reporting on his and his sister, Xena's successes.

This video is of Finn herding when he was just 4 1/2 months old. To see more videos of Finn herding, and Xena doing agility, visit our site on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/acadiashelties

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New *HX* for U-Ch. U-CD Linden Acadia Stacked Deck, CDX, HIAsd,*HXAd*

Penny had a GREAT fall weekend! She and Show Low completed the Herding Excellent title on the A course with Ducks (HXAd). Penny writes, "Yes, it finally happened. An Accomplishment I never thought I would see-all because of this wonderful, devoted, and talented dog! No matter how many times I mess up, he gives his all every time. And a score good for first place, over some Herding Champions in the class!!"

Show Low is WIT's father.

CONGRATULATIONS Penny and Show Low

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Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, AXJ wins a Major towards the Herding Championship

Most of the AKC Championship titles require a dog to defeat other dogs and earn "points" to earn the title. The number of "points" awarded at each trial or show depends on the number of dogs that successfully compete that day at that trial/show. The more dogs defeated in a day, the higher the points. The maximum number of points that can be awarded at any one trial/show is 5.

In order to obtain the Herding Championship, a dog must earn 15 total points, win at least two 1st place wins, and win a major (between 3-5 pts). Remember, majors are a reflection of the number of dogs defeated that day.

WIT placed first, and was also High In Trial, at the ASSA National Specialty Herding trial this past spring. That was his first 1st place win. There were only enough shelties for him to earn 2 pts towards the championship- but it was a necessary 1st place (and- being the National- they were the best shelties from around the country!)

Today WIT competed at an "all breed" (well- all herding breed) Trial and again he placed 1st in the Advanced Class. This time the entry was large enough that he won 4pts towards his Herding Championship. He has now gotten all of the hard parts out of the way and he just needs "points" to get to 15.

Shelties are not known around the Herding circles as being a "power breed" and it can be very difficult for them to win 1st place when competing against Boarder Collies- but WIT has not been told such tales. He IS a powerhouse and he can keep up with the best of them. He will do Whatever It Takes!

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Finn- a Rincon x Faith puppy

This is Finn - portrait taken on 5/18/2010. He is one of the Rincon x Faith puppies. He is a litter brother to Xena and he lives in Nevada. He has been herding with his owner, Kathy. She writes: "Everyone in LA loved him and he's a great traveler. In LA he raced across the big areana to get the sheep. But he stayed at the proper distance applying just enough pressure to group them on the fence and looked back to ask ok now what? So far he works quietly and intently on his own. I will wait to direct him. Jerry (Steward) said to let him try to think on his own and work out what he needs to do. As I said before, Jerry Stewart really liked his strong herding instinct and style. And I couldn't be happier :)

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Where did the tri puppies go?

I am really looking forward to reporting on the successes of this litter.
Xena- girl- is in Texas in an agility home
Finn- boy- is in Nevada in a herding/agility home
Tucker- boy- is in South Dakota in an agility home
Cashe- boy- is in Arizona in an agility/herding home
Willow (pictured)- boy- is in Pennsylvania in a pet home
Harley- boy- is in Pennsylvania- in a pet home across the street from me!

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High In Trial at the ASSA National Herding Trial

Acadia What Ever It Takes, HXAs*d*, AX,OAJ successfully completed the Herding Excellent title on Ducks and in the process was Reserve High In Trial at the ASSA's duck trial. Later that day he competed at the Herding Excellent level at the Sheep trial- he was High In Trail with a score of 96!!! His run was Almost Perfect.

WIT, as he is called, is owned by Morene Brown (on the right) and is trained and was trialed by Sue Bradley (in back). Morene didn't come to watch because she was concerned that her presence might disrupt WIT's focus- it might have been the right thing to do, but we were all sorry she was not there to cheer and enjoy all of the excitement of such a thrilling win.

WIT is sired by U-Ch. Linden Acadia Stacked Deck, HIAsd, CDX, out of Acadia Sweet Emotion, AX, AXJ, PT, OF

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New Herding Started B course- Ducks for U-Ch. Linden Acadia Stacked Deck, CDX, HIAds, HSAds, *HSBd*

Congratulations to Penny and Show Low for completing the Herding Started title on the B course (ducks). These two had completed the Herding Started title with ducks on the A course, but the B course is larger and the dog has to control and move the stock longer distances. As you can see from these pictures, Show Low has a gentle, easy way about him that allows him to control the ducks without causing them too much stress. He is such a good dog. Compare his pictures to the picture of his mother, Molly (MACH4 Acadia Color of Passion, HSAsd)- she never really had the patience Show Low demonstrates.

Show Low is sired by Herding Champion and Breed Champion Linden Danbie The Blacksmith, HXAs, NA, VCX. He (Show Low) must have gotten his sensibility from his dad.

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This couldn't wait one more minute.............

That was the email subject line from Heidi about Piper. Here was her message. Thank you Heidi !!!!

In her debut at Dauphin Dog Training Club's October Agility Trial 10/24 and 10/25, Acadia's One Very Special Puppy went two for two taking
a 1st place with a perfect score of 100 on Sat, and a 2nd place with a perfect score of 100 on Sun - both were in novice jumpers w/weaves!

I had no intention of showing her so soon but when she ran an intermediate course in training better than Zoe who has been doing this for
years, I needed to see what she could do. I had no expectations - anticipated bar crashing, off course, saying hi to the judge - and
what I got instead was my baby girl showing like she has been doing this for years. Her weave pole entrances both days were off and I'm
crediting that to nerves but I actually was able to do two rear crosses with her.
She is definitely not ready for the standard ring as she and the a-frame haven't bonded yet but at least we can work on the jumpers
and get that out of the way. Unfortunately all my sitting on her back only brought her shoulders down by 1/2 inch and she's
measuring 14 1/2 so I'm going to run her preferred. I want her to have longevity in agility and I don't think running her at 16" is
the way to go.

She had fun, I had fun and I can't wait to run her again in April! I'll tell you what -- she IS one very special puppy and always will be!!!

Thanks for my GREAT show dog and companion!
Heidi

The same day I got this email message from Morene about WIT:

Hi Cadie, Sue took WIT to an AKC herding trial this weekend. He was competing in both Sheep and Ducks. He qualified on all 4 runs; however, he didn't have high enough scores in Sheep to earn any Championship points. Sue said there were about 20 dogs in the Advanced class. The good news is this was his first trial on ducks, and he q'd both runs. Now he only needs one more Duck leg for his HX which will increase his opportunities to earn points. Next weekend they're running in an AHBA trial. Morene

(did you notice that Morene said this is his FIRST trial on ducks- and he is competing at the Herding Excellent (HX) level!!! They did this with his sheep title too. They just started at the top. When you live in an area were there are VERY FEW trials, it makes sense to just train and when you get to the top level, trial.)

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Show Low

Show Low is an amazing dog. This picture shows a controlled, confident dog moving the sheep in a quite and easy manner. That is what herding is all about- moving livestock in a controlled manner. That really is all it is. Young and inexperienced dogs are often out of control and it takes time, training, and wisdom on the part of the dog to learn what level of energy is appropriate. The faster that understanding is come to, the better the dog. Show Low understands what is needed to move stock. Good dog Show Low.

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New Herding Intermediate Sheep Title: U-Ch. Linden Acadia Stacked Deck,CDX, HIAd, **HIAs**

WAY TO GO PENNY AND SHOW LOW!!!!!!!!!!
Penny writes:
"What a great herding weekend at Judi Bigham's in Nova, OH Such nice people, such nice livestock! This weekend was the Detroit Sheltie Club's herding trial, there were a ton of shelties! On Saturday, they had a local priest come out for a blessing of the animals - it was the feast of St. Francis this weekend. He blessed all the dogs, the ducks and the sheep!

Then Show Low was first place in Intermediate Sheep! So I guess the blessing worked!

The judge on Sunday was Linda Rorem from CA. She did a small clinic on Monday, it was really great. Very appropriate for shelties. (You don't find that often!)

There was a photographer taking lots of pictures, he will be mailing me a disk. There are some good ones!

I am so glad to finish this title, he really deserved it, he's such an awesome herding dog.

Penny"

Show Low had already earned the HI (herding Intermediate) title on ducks, but each type of livestock is very different. His title abrevations will look like this HIAds- which means, (HI) Herding Intermediate on the (A) course (there are 3 different courses, A, B, C with AKC) d= ducks s=sheep meaning he has accomplished this level on this course with both ducks and sheep

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15 minutes of Fame and a good show weekend

This weekend was one to remember. I showed Nicky in Bred-by-Exhibitor (dog), Glory in Bred-by-Exhibitor (bitch) and Dove in Open Sable (bitch). On Friday at the Lackawanna Kennel Club all three of them won their classes. Nicky was then awarded Winners Dog, and Dove was awarded Winners Bitch. Days like that don't happen very often. Saturday was not as good as Nicky went Reserve Winners dog and neither of the girls won their class. Sunday Nicky was again Winners dog, Glory was 2nd in her class and Dove won her class. The judge really considered Dove, but then awarded Winners to the winner of Glory's class. Glory had to come back in for reserve, but because the judge had really considered Dove for Winners, she was Reserve.

Saturday night I was on TV. I didn't get to see it yet (I hope they show re-runs)- but the Harrisburg Kennel Club dog show was televised on Animal Planet. If you remember from earlier posts (back in April), this was the show where I was in charge of the herding demonstration (click on it). They interviewed me and yesterday it was aired.

(The order of the pictures: Nicky, Dove, Glory)

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Herding Demonstration

On Saturday, April 11, I didn’t get to show my dogs at the Blue & Gray cluster because I had been asked to organize a Herding demonstration for the public to enjoy.

The Blue & Gray cluster is 4 days of dog shows that are held in the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Each day the show is hosted by a different Kennel Club. The show that is hosted by the Harrisburg Kennel Club is also filmed to air on Animal Planet as part of the “Animal Planet Dog Championships”. On the Animal Planet website it says, “Experience the thrill of canine competition in a multi-city tournament series featuring three of the American Kennel Club's largest and most prestigious dog shows.” Wow. I am a member of the Harrisburg Kennel Club. I can say that as far as dog shows go, this weekend has a unique feel and it really something to experience. If you click on the links I have provided, you can get a feel for this event.

Many different specialty clubs take advantage of this unique experience to host specialty shows. The Harrisburg Shetland Sheepdog club has been one of those specialty clubs and this past Saturday and Sunday were there specialties.

In 2006 the sheltie, Ch. Pop Star SS of Northern Farm was Best In Show. This win not only gave “Pop Star” a Specialty “Best”- but also an all-breed “Best” at a Nationally televised show. A great day for this sheltie and for our breed.

Back to my herding demonstration. I organized a “Parade of Herding and Livestock Guard breeds” to start the demonstration. I had the dogs lined up grouped by country. I thought it would be interesting to have the Hungarian Puli and the Komondor next to each other. I also wanted the Briard and the Pyrean Shepherd next to each other and so on and so forth. I talked about how different traits were selected in different geographic area to reflect the terrain, the climate, and the personalities of the people. I also talked about how many of the “herding” breeds had multiple responsibilities and therefore they were not “just” selected based on herding traits. It went well.

I was SO THANKFUL to the people who brought their dogs to participate in this part of the event. They may not have felt it was much- but I sure did!!

I had 3 dogs to demonstrate the actual herding. We started with a Border Collie (which is what everyone expected to see of course), next I had a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and I ended with a Smooth Collie. The BC and the Corgi were both upper level herding dogs and the Smooth Collie was less experienced, but I felt gave the audience a good demonstration of “instinct” (along with training). This collie gave me the opportunity to talk about how dogs change with experience. I thought he was a very good addition to this demonstration.

Animal Planet came to the arena at 9:30am that morning and interviewed me for about ½ hour. We demonstrated with each of the dogs for them too and they then asked me for commentary on each of the dogs. They said they would come back to film the “public demo”- but I have no idea if they did or not. I am sure they will reduce my interview to one or two lines and then my reaction to each of the dogs herding. I sure hope it turns out ok. It will be aired on Animal Planet in July.

I also really need to thank my husband, Mike. He gave up a day and a half to load sheep, transport sheep, help me do last minute running around, and lend support. It really is amazing how many people it takes to do “a simple demonstration”. Thank you to EVERYONE who had a part in this event. It went so well I fear I will be asked to do it again next year.

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