Page 10 - Demo

ON THE COVER
From the Editor
No sooner were the Westminster results posted in February than the annual crop of sour grapes began to be harvested: “Yes, but how many of them have ever seen a sheep? How many would have any clue what to do with one?”
The correct answers would surprise more than a few. This year’s BOB and Herding Group 2, BIS CH Caitland’s Isle Take a Chance NA NAJ, has more than a nodding acquaintance with sheep He and owner Nancy Resetar train with Kathy Warren and hope to begin competing later this season. And Chance is not the only dog in this year’s lineup at the Garden to know which end of a sheep is which. The myth that a conformation cham- pion can’t work stock is just that—a myth.
Prevailing wisdom has it that working instinct depends on such a complex mode of inheritance that unless it’s selected for routinely, it’s gone in a few short genera- tions: Use it or lose it. Happily, that has not been my experience—and I’m far from alone. One experienced herding trainer/competitor, coming into Aussies from another breed, went to one of the country’s top confor- mation kennels for her first dog. “You don’t expect that pup to work, do you?” she was asked. “Of course I do,” she answered calmly. “He’s an Aussie, isn’t he?” Work he does, and very nicely indeed.
In the last several years, I’ve seen more conformation dogs instinct tested on stock than I can count, and the vast majority of them seem to have no problem tap- ping into that genetic memory of what it’s all about. Very few are completely clueless, and more than a few have been close to brilliant. We have several on tape in their first time out that knock my socks off every time I watch them. Herding titled dogs do not feature in their pedigrees; the instinct and drive are just there, waiting to be tapped.
A number of people have remarked on the growing number of dogs ranked in the Journal’s Herding Stats. It really wasn’t that long ago that a half dozen or so dogs listed was the norm; now the numbers seem to grow with each issue, and conformation kennels are well rep- resented. Why is this happening? I suspect it’s simply because more people are interested in seeing what their dogs can do. Watching your dog turn on to stock is a rush. It’s not hard to get hooked.
Those who campaign specials at the highest levels of competition make an enormous investment of personal resources. Broadly speaking, it’s close to a full-time job for all concerned. That does not mean the Group-win- ning or BIS dog is incapable of success in the herding arena—or in any other performance venue, for that matter. Beauty does not automatically preclude intelli- gence, athleticism, instinct or drive—in short, essential Aussieness. This issue’s cover boy is a perfect example of what is possible.
—Sheila Dolan
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The Australian Shepherd Journal
May/June 2005
Multiple Best in Show
Ch. Caitland Isle Take A Chance NA NAJ
“Chance”
Best of Breed & Group 2 at Westminster Kennel Club
Bred by
Cathy Bishop Caitland Aussies
Owned, loved & handled in herding by Nancy Resetar
Royal Oaks, California
Beautifully presented and handled in conformation by
Karen Bruneau
Handled in agility by Kristi Cetrulo