Australian Cattle Dogs
Sly-(deceased) Father of Harley, Sky and Magnum. Full brother to Peach. Cow dog supreme- better than the help of 5 riders, Sly saw many, many long days with us in the cows. Sly was there until the job was done. It wasn't the years that took him, but the miles. He sired cowdogs that are working all over the country. We still miss him everyday.
Peach(deceased)--Full sister to Sly. She loved cow work and saw as many long days as Sly. She was always close by whenever I was outside, even in her old age and poor sight. She was waiting for us to return home from a day of cow work when she died in June 2008. She is chasing cows in heaven with Sly now and I miss her terribly.
Maggie--Mother of Harley and Sky. The smartest dog I have ever seen. She is all business in the cows and has never backed down from livestock. And you could pet her all day and she'd still want more attention! She is a terrific mother that passes her brains and loyalty onto her pups. She takes the pups we keep and teaches them the cow work ropes. She is a "choclate" heeler( a darker red) and has had many pups her color. Yes, she is missing part of her right front foot-- it is a long, amazing story with a great ending.
Pixie-(deceased) Mother of Brandy and Magnum. A careful girl in the world of cows, she was learning the ropes when she died too young. A great mother that gave my kids each a wonderful dog of their own. That pup in the picture with all the spots is Brandy(see below)!
The Girls
The Boys
Butch-(Maggie x Sly) (deceased) Father of Brandy. My husband Reno's dog that may never be equaled. Knew exactly what combination of brains and brawn each situation called for. The most loyal dog we have ever had, never left Reno's side. He was a heeler through and through and taken from us too soon.
Harley-(Maggie x Sly)(right)Loyal, loyal, loyal! He is trying his very best to fill the very big shoes of Sly and Butch(see below). When its time to go work, Harley is the first one to volunteer and is always impressing us. He has developed a lot of finesse and problem-solving abilities when working. He will gently nose a baby calf along, but has bite for the grown cattle that need it.
Magnum-(Pixie x Sly) (left)-He is one big heeler(80lbs) but the gentlest soul we have. He is my son Kody's dog, and they love each other to death. Magnum often sleeps on the 4-wheeler in warm months just so someone can't sneak off without him! He is no longer used for breeding, but we can't do without him moving cattle!
Brandy --(Pixie x Butch) She has been my daughter Kiley's dog from the second she was born. She is a wonderful mom, aggressive cow dog, and is never a step away from my kids when they are outside. She has a kind nature with everything, man or beast. Yes, she is an unconvential looking heeler- but a true asset to the ranch. Watch her work, and you will forget her ears don't stand up! She has been bred to Harley for a mid-August 08 litter.
Sky--(Maggie x Sly) As smart as her mother and as fearless as her father, Sky has more go and get'em than any dog I've seen. Her energy is boundless and she never gives up! She has a great personality--biddable, loyal and happy. She is a pretty feminine girl that is a good mom and raises chunky pups. Sky had 7 pups by Splat July 3!
Splat-- He lives in Nebraska on a farm with my niece, Tana Campbell, her husband, Toby, and their 3 boys. They raise cattle and often come up to our ranch to help with trailing and branding work. Splat is a great working dog with lots of nautral instincts. Very protective of the kids and the home.
Sami- She lives with Splat and the Campbells on their farm in Nebraska. In Wyoming until last year, Sami was raised trailing cows and sheep and watching over kids on Tana's family's farm near Casper. She has seen many long days of working cattle. Sami has a naturally stumpy tail and passes this trait on to many of her pups.
Beth-She is a Sami x Splat daughter who amazes me with each new task. She has a huge amount of natural instinct and drive! She brings in our milk cows and bum calf herd with me every evening, and saw plenty of full days trailing cattle herds up the mountain to summer pastures with the big dogs in the past few weeks. She is always by my side whether I am horseback, on the 4wheeler, or on foot! She is eager and a quick learner.
Harley at Work
Harley & Brandy make a great team.
Beth with Kody checking cattle.
All Our Adult Dogs Work Cattle
and
Have Been Raised With Kids of All Ages.
