The Real Time Canine II

After spending 2 years writing the Real Time Canine, the adventure continues with The Real Time Canine II. Read along as I look for just the right puppy to continue the experience. After false starts with Tim and Jed, I am currently training young Tam, and Spot, which are both off to a strong start. Please visit the RTC II to read about training sessions as they occur.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Come-bye the Big Time

Finally, some televised recognition of the world's smartest and most useful dogs. I watched an show about working Border Collies yesterday on RFD-TV, but of course it wasn't produced in the United States, where urbanites out number the ranchers and farmers by a vast margin. Where most of those same urbanites have very little idea, and couldn't care less where their groceries come from, or what it takes to produce them. Where even many of the farmers and ranchers have little or no appreciation for the benefits of using working Border Collie stockdogs in a low-stress livestock operation. Where even of those who do, precious few understand the farthest reaches of the dogs beyond heading or heeling a recalcitrant ruminant in the sorting pens. Here's an opportunity to watch some of the greatest shepherds and dog handlers alive today competing head-to-head at the National and International level.

The televised "Come-Bye" series of sheepdog trials is brought to us by the
International Sheepdog Society in conjunction with Horse & Country Television, a British endeavor dedicated to the horse and rural living enthusiast, in much the same was as RFDTV is in the US. The Brits and Irish with their rich agricultural heritage steeped over generations have a refined appreciation for the sheepdog, where the hills in almost every part of the rural lanscape are used for the production of sheep and have been for centuries upon centuries. Found on the Horse & Country TV website are links to the 2007 National Sheepdogs trials from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, culminationg in the top 15 winners from each competing at the International Sheepdog Trial. Please CLICK HERE to visit their site and view them. Enjoy!

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