Anne-Marie

long time since last logged in but we do peruse the site! We still have our two BC (Duchesse and Dylan) but whilst on holiday in May 2014 in the auvergne region of France we spotted a poster from the Mayor about a "found" dog.The BC is black and white and was abandoned on the col st george (ht 900mtrs).Nobody was claiming him despite the mayor advertising him in all local papers, so to avoid him being put down we took him on. Age at that point was approx 10 to 12 mths, very loving and well used to handling.Sadly he is still very traumatized especially with cars vans and planes and does have epilepsy for which the vet has prescribed treatment. He is improving in the forest and returns when called (took some time and effort) Real problem is the leash on the streets. He does not like to leave home and constantly backs into us or tries to circle. In the beginning he did not do this and apart from barking at any other dog was OK even in town. His name is SMOKEY and is much loved by all but I would like to walk him on the leash by himself occasionally - any tips hints etc would be appreciated.

well it is now 19 mths since the twins -Dylan and Duchesse - joined us and it has been fun with some minor problems mostly with pulling on the lead. We have tried all the harness and halti etc etc, not much effect! So resorted to simple leather collar, pulling is now almost non existent walking to heel came without any formal effort. Having had bcs both working and non these two are amazing me they seem to anticipate next training step and simply carry it out. Duchesse has been speyed with no obvious effects still very much the lady! Dylan will be castrated in Nov as our Vet believes it best as we will not use him to stud. Both dogs are, and have been since birth bilingual but as true members of the superior race! play on this using it to ignore a French command and only reacting to English and the opposite; never nasty simply a game with us. Best wishes to all lucky enough to allowed to share their lives with these magnificent animals oh nearly forgot but reminded by Dylan they go to try their skills with a few sheep next week - should be interesting!

We have the problem with 8 paws and a very wet area of France (no snow) I resorted to old farm trick and covered a large area between the gate and entry to the main garden with straw. I keep it reasonably fresh and approx 20/30cms deep- takes half a a large oblong bale. It is not elegent but smells good!! John

Sue: thanks for the complement hope we can live up to it. We will discuss the 14 mth issue with the vet. As soon as I work out how to put pics on post I will - also we will do our profile. I envy you yr farm we use our friends place. They run goats (milking) sheep and beef cattle their two dogs manage the lot good to watch them in action. Have you come across the book "Sheepdogs my faithful friends" by Eric Halsall (published in UK) He shares the bandwagon all down the line i quote a little "A wise man learns from his dogs and when the natural intelligence of tested bloodlines coupled with sympathetic training and handling are fortunate enough to have a dash of that mysterious quality known as method, the result is canine genius." The book is a joy! Thanks again john

Many thanks Sue we are organized for spay/neutering as soon as our vet gives the word as having had some rather special dogs in the past (one with proven line back to the time of "old hemp") we are very much concerned with maintaining breed quality (working) and to be frank are not geared for serious breeding. We took the pair - now for the soft bit - because out of the litter of one male and 5 females these two were constantly together so we have the responsibility to turn them into a real brace!!! once again thanks and yes the forum is excellent. john

We have Brother and Sister (5mths old) BCs ex farm and from long line of working dogs. Names are Duchesse and Dylan. No probs with crate, toilet name recognition etc but when together they (like human babies) bounce off each other will not walk easily and do not like one being e.g tought to walk to heel. So far we take one out on walk and teach the other. We are not pushing and will not start any real agility of sheep work until about 1 yr old. Anybody out there with "twins" who might have advice for us?