Tammy525 Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 We went to a fair yesterday and saw a demonstration with two REAL border collies. The two didn't look all that much alike, different sizes, etc., but they moved just the same. They used sheep and Indian Runner ducks and it was a beautiful sight! They wove through cones and into pens and went wherever the dog told them to on his handler's command. It was very impressive. Of course, for all of you with REAL border collies, I am sure that is just par for the course. My BC mix is more couch potato lab with BC smarts and some well-buried herding traits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat's Dogs Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 It is nice to go out and see the "real deal" in action isn't it? It just makes you smile to see these dogs at their work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie_Girl Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 It was a sheep trial that I watched from my diesel on the side of the freeway that made me fall in love with these dogs! It was the most awesome thing I had seen. And now after watching trials close up, the thrill is still there! Truly poetry in motion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 If you want to see some really great Border Collies at work, contact your local St. Andrew's Society and find out if they hold an annual Scottish Festival, and if so when. (Connecticut's is the first Saturday of every October.) Most of these festivals have demonstrations of BC's working various types of livestock, and the larger ones (like the one in North Conway, New Hampshire, held in September, and touted to be the largest Scottish Festival in the United States) have herding competitions. Our local Scottish Festival was in fact where I was first introduced to Border Collies, and I have been in love with the breed ever since. (It is also where I replenish my annual supply of canned haggis and Irn Bru.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Anne Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Bustopher Jones, I am glad you mentioned that. There is a Scottish Festival or Celtic Festival in Northern Va also, but I don't know when or where. I think it is in Alexandria or Arlington, Va????? If anyone out this way knows when and where that is or has a web page address I could go to please let me know. Top O' the mornin to ya (or afternoon, or evening etc etc!) LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea4th Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Just curious, Tammy. Do you know who did the demo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy525 Posted July 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 They have a website, it was "customstockdogs.com". They are based in IL and one of the handlers was named Ken. I looked at the website, they looked impressive there to me as well, but I know NOTHING about stock dogs. Who knows, they might be on these boards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosperia Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 JoeAnne, I dont know about no. va, but there is an anual Celtic festival in Oct. at the state fair grounds here in Richmond. I've gone for the past 4yrs or so. In fact I saw a few folks from the board there last year. http://www.richmondceltic.com/site.asp **edit** So I did some searching. . . I also found this one in MD, but it isnt until next May. http://www.sasmm.com/celtic_festival.htm This one in Alexandria is also in Oct. http://www.accessenter.com/scotfair/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca, Irena Farm Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 That's really amusing. Kenneth Kuykendall and his father Henry do demos at our fairs in NC every year. It's great entertainment - they do a good job showing off the dogs. Did they do the duck washing machine? Our kids see it every year and it still cracks them up. Heck, my mom sees it every year and it still cracks HER up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 The link for the Virginia St. Andrew's Society is St. Andrews Society. It appears that the Highlend Games and Celtic Festival is scheduled for late October in your state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy525 Posted July 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Yes, that's them. They did the duck washing machine, one of mine fell over laughing. There was a woman with them now, I got the impression from their website that Henry might be in semi-retirement? It was great entertainment. They did such a great job, I wondered if the sheeps and the ducks were trained!! My brood is now so bunny obsessed that is all they can think about. New puppy, bunnies, my chickens and ducks seem farther away everyday..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurie etc Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Originally posted by Tammy525:Yes, that's them. They did the duck washing machine, one of mine fell over laughing. There was a woman with them now, I got the impression from their website that Henry might be in semi-retirement? That's Kenneth (Kim) and Joyce, his partner. They live in Illinois- but I imagine they get invited to lots of Fairs- they were in Raleigh NC (near Rebecca) when I picked up my little guy, CSD Able last year at the fair. Loved the Duck Washing Machine trick (black ducks go in- white ducks come out!) and the cowboy act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Mickey Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 JoAnne - here's a link to a Scottish festival held around Annapolis. It's held in October. They have sheepdog demos too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 This site provides a listing of Scottish festivals for July 2006 through June 2007: Scottish Festivals For those who are interested, this site has a listing of Scottish fraternal organizations: Scottish Associations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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