A moorit ewe from Baby Bee, and a Gul-Kat ram from Valise - POLLED!:
- Franna and the Sheepies
The tortoise and the hare
3 days ago
Thursday, May 29, 2014
...and Just for Michelle - Shetland Lambs!
The sire of these lambs is EverRanch Nut Brown Ale, a Moorit Gulmoget from Boulderneigh Bloom and Night Cap.
A moorit ewe from Baby Bee, and a Gul-Kat ram from Valise - POLLED!:
A half polled white ram from Popcorn:
A moorit ewe and moorit gul ewe from Val - yes, triplets from Valise!:
And Val says, That's all Folks!
- Franna and the Sheepies
A moorit ewe from Baby Bee, and a Gul-Kat ram from Valise - POLLED!:
- Franna and the Sheepies
A Tracking We Will Go
What is tracking? you might ask. It is a dog sport wherein the dog must follow a path walked by a stranger and find along the way, one or more personal articles that the tracklayer left behind. The distance varies from 400 yards( minimum) in the basic urban, TDU, test to 1000 yards (maximum) in the more advanced TDX test. Turns, distances, age, and other features are all spelled out in the AKC rulebook for Tracking Tests. In a test, the judges and tracklayers will plot the tracks the day before the test, then just the tracklayer walks the track on the day of the test. Tracking tests are held all over the US and in other countries; scenting conditions and terrain vary from site to site.
Tracking is a wonderful activity to do with your dog, and unlike obedience and agility, the dog is in charge, having the vastly superior nose to find and follow the correct scent.
Over the years, tracking has waxed and waned in popularity. It's popularity right now, and for the last dozen years or so, is at a high, and in the Western Washington and Oregon area, tracking tests typically have alternate (waiting) lists of a dozen or more dogs. The number of dogs that can be tested by one pair of judges at any one event is limited to 12 in the basic (TD) test, 12 in the basic urban test, 8 in the VST (advanced urban), or 6 in the advanced (TDX) test. AKC has combinations of these limits for clubs who put on two or more of the events in one day. The passing rate is low, about 50% in TD, 17% in TDX, less than 10% in VST, and TDU is so new that I haven't seen statistics on it, but it's pretty low, too. Not very many dogs earn tracking titles in any given year.
I have been participating in AKC Tracking off and on since the late 60's - as a young 'un, and have been judging since 1978. Currently, I'm working with "my" three household dogs, Clifford, Villa, and Lucy. Clifford has his basic Tracking Dog title and is working on the two advanced titles - TDX and VST. Villa just earned her TDU title in March, the first Labrador to do so. Even though that is her first tracking title, she's been doing advanced tracking for several years. Lucy is still a beginner and not quite ready for the basic TD or TDU test.
So, now what? Why am I going into such detail about tracking? Well, after several years of ending up on alternate lists and not being tested, and at almost 13 years of age, Clifford "drew into" a TDX test! Not only that, but Villa drew in as well! Does it matter that the test is in Montana? Well, yes, it does. Montana is a ways away, involves a multiple days trip, and scenting conditions are quite different from "home". Does it matter that the test is on a mountainside on terrain that has been described to me as *not* flat by several people. Again, yes, it does. I am a bit "fluffy" and still recovering from ankle surgery (how long can I milk that for???). Clifford is a senior citizen and not as physically fit as he once was. heh... I can sure relate to that! Regardless, we're going and hoping for the best. We have trained in a variety of conditions, terrain and vegetation, plan to arrive a couple days early to acclimate a little, and will hope for the best.
This satelite image is from Google Earth, waaaay up in the air (the little line on the left is a state highway) and is the TDX site on the SE slope of Boyd Mountain, which is NE of Missoula, MT. It *is* not flat. I have seen ground photos, too. It is beautiful, even in its non-flatness.
Okay, so we're practicing. Today's practice was at Flaming Geyser State Park, near Auburn, WA. I had heard that the daisies were going to be in bloom. Yes, the daisies were in bloom... and *everywhere*!
I put in a track for Clifford and one for Villa. Lucy came along for the ride today. The tracks were about half TDX length, about 450 yards each, had multiple articles and as many non-flat details that Flaming Geyser Park offered. The last leg on Clifford's track also had...
...a group of about 18 home schooled model Rocketeers. About an hour before Clifford's track had aged long enough, they started launching Rockets... and retrieving Rockets... all over the field where Clifford's track ended. This was okay. It added some challenge, which was good. I had talked to the setup crew - a father and son - while they were setting up, and told them what I was doing, too. The son was expecting an English Shepherd pup very soon and was happy to talk tracking a bit. It was a happy event, sharing the field of daisies.
So, while I waited for the two tracks to age, I first went to the Black Diamond Bakery... for a latte. Right. A few other goodies jumped in a bag for me. :-) The Black Diamond Bakery is world renowned, or maybe just a local, historic icon. Whichever, it is well worth taking a side trip, or even a special trip, to enjoy the atmosphere and the goodies! They have a small restaurant, a coffee bar, and of course, the bakery.
Then, back at the ranch... errrr, park, I got out my knitting and watched rockets blast off, kids run across Clifford's last leg, and the Rocketeer Moms set up a picnic about 10 yards from Clifford's final article.
Clifford ran first. It's not easy to get photos while handling a tracking line and walking over uneven, or for that matter, even ground. It is easier to get them behind a dog who tracks at a moderate pace, like Clifford. However, today, Clifford didn't go at a moderate pace, he kept me jogging until the last leg, when I did get a couple photos. I didn't keep the blurry ones.
In the third field of daisies, after the path through the woods:
Where he did a little casting at the end, but basically followed the track in most excellent style. He didn't even notice the picnic Moms until we exited the daisies. Good Boy, Clifford!
Villa, on the other hand, takes two hands on the line at all times, and a very mindful stride, lest I get pulled onto the ground nose first. I did get a shot of the first leg of her track... sans dog. Yes, all the white is daisies. The Red is her start marker.
Villa's first leg went right down the middle of this mowed strip, until the strip went left and I went straight. The mowed strips make nice scenting obstacles and pathways to turn off of and onto. They are used a lot by park-goers for walking paths, so they have plenty of cross tracks and scent other than mine. Villa's track (and Villa with me in tow) went crossways up a little hill through ferns, back into daisies, down the little hill next to a big evergreen tree, back into daisies, across another mowed strip and to her final article! She mostly did good work, is exceptional at locating articles, and I kept my feet down and my head up. Good Girl, Villa!
Clifford's next track will be in Montana. I try to keep him interested and wanting more by tracking less often and rewarding him with high value treats. Villa has a little less seasoning and more rough edges, along with much enthusiasm, so we might go out once more before Montana. Whatever happens, it will be an adventure. A not flat one.
- Franna, with Clifford and Villa.
Tracking is a wonderful activity to do with your dog, and unlike obedience and agility, the dog is in charge, having the vastly superior nose to find and follow the correct scent.
Over the years, tracking has waxed and waned in popularity. It's popularity right now, and for the last dozen years or so, is at a high, and in the Western Washington and Oregon area, tracking tests typically have alternate (waiting) lists of a dozen or more dogs. The number of dogs that can be tested by one pair of judges at any one event is limited to 12 in the basic (TD) test, 12 in the basic urban test, 8 in the VST (advanced urban), or 6 in the advanced (TDX) test. AKC has combinations of these limits for clubs who put on two or more of the events in one day. The passing rate is low, about 50% in TD, 17% in TDX, less than 10% in VST, and TDU is so new that I haven't seen statistics on it, but it's pretty low, too. Not very many dogs earn tracking titles in any given year.
I have been participating in AKC Tracking off and on since the late 60's - as a young 'un, and have been judging since 1978. Currently, I'm working with "my" three household dogs, Clifford, Villa, and Lucy. Clifford has his basic Tracking Dog title and is working on the two advanced titles - TDX and VST. Villa just earned her TDU title in March, the first Labrador to do so. Even though that is her first tracking title, she's been doing advanced tracking for several years. Lucy is still a beginner and not quite ready for the basic TD or TDU test.
So, now what? Why am I going into such detail about tracking? Well, after several years of ending up on alternate lists and not being tested, and at almost 13 years of age, Clifford "drew into" a TDX test! Not only that, but Villa drew in as well! Does it matter that the test is in Montana? Well, yes, it does. Montana is a ways away, involves a multiple days trip, and scenting conditions are quite different from "home". Does it matter that the test is on a mountainside on terrain that has been described to me as *not* flat by several people. Again, yes, it does. I am a bit "fluffy" and still recovering from ankle surgery (how long can I milk that for???). Clifford is a senior citizen and not as physically fit as he once was. heh... I can sure relate to that! Regardless, we're going and hoping for the best. We have trained in a variety of conditions, terrain and vegetation, plan to arrive a couple days early to acclimate a little, and will hope for the best.
This satelite image is from Google Earth, waaaay up in the air (the little line on the left is a state highway) and is the TDX site on the SE slope of Boyd Mountain, which is NE of Missoula, MT. It *is* not flat. I have seen ground photos, too. It is beautiful, even in its non-flatness.
Okay, so we're practicing. Today's practice was at Flaming Geyser State Park, near Auburn, WA. I had heard that the daisies were going to be in bloom. Yes, the daisies were in bloom... and *everywhere*!
I put in a track for Clifford and one for Villa. Lucy came along for the ride today. The tracks were about half TDX length, about 450 yards each, had multiple articles and as many non-flat details that Flaming Geyser Park offered. The last leg on Clifford's track also had...
...a group of about 18 home schooled model Rocketeers. About an hour before Clifford's track had aged long enough, they started launching Rockets... and retrieving Rockets... all over the field where Clifford's track ended. This was okay. It added some challenge, which was good. I had talked to the setup crew - a father and son - while they were setting up, and told them what I was doing, too. The son was expecting an English Shepherd pup very soon and was happy to talk tracking a bit. It was a happy event, sharing the field of daisies.
So, while I waited for the two tracks to age, I first went to the Black Diamond Bakery... for a latte. Right. A few other goodies jumped in a bag for me. :-) The Black Diamond Bakery is world renowned, or maybe just a local, historic icon. Whichever, it is well worth taking a side trip, or even a special trip, to enjoy the atmosphere and the goodies! They have a small restaurant, a coffee bar, and of course, the bakery.
Then, back at the ranch... errrr, park, I got out my knitting and watched rockets blast off, kids run across Clifford's last leg, and the Rocketeer Moms set up a picnic about 10 yards from Clifford's final article.
Clifford ran first. It's not easy to get photos while handling a tracking line and walking over uneven, or for that matter, even ground. It is easier to get them behind a dog who tracks at a moderate pace, like Clifford. However, today, Clifford didn't go at a moderate pace, he kept me jogging until the last leg, when I did get a couple photos. I didn't keep the blurry ones.
In the third field of daisies, after the path through the woods:
And across the road into the Rocket Field of daisies:
Where he did a little casting at the end, but basically followed the track in most excellent style. He didn't even notice the picnic Moms until we exited the daisies. Good Boy, Clifford!
Villa, on the other hand, takes two hands on the line at all times, and a very mindful stride, lest I get pulled onto the ground nose first. I did get a shot of the first leg of her track... sans dog. Yes, all the white is daisies. The Red is her start marker.
Villa's first leg went right down the middle of this mowed strip, until the strip went left and I went straight. The mowed strips make nice scenting obstacles and pathways to turn off of and onto. They are used a lot by park-goers for walking paths, so they have plenty of cross tracks and scent other than mine. Villa's track (and Villa with me in tow) went crossways up a little hill through ferns, back into daisies, down the little hill next to a big evergreen tree, back into daisies, across another mowed strip and to her final article! She mostly did good work, is exceptional at locating articles, and I kept my feet down and my head up. Good Girl, Villa!
Clifford's next track will be in Montana. I try to keep him interested and wanting more by tracking less often and rewarding him with high value treats. Villa has a little less seasoning and more rough edges, along with much enthusiasm, so we might go out once more before Montana. Whatever happens, it will be an adventure. A not flat one.
- Franna, with Clifford and Villa.
Thursday, May 08, 2014
Awakening the Blog
My last post was two years ago! My how time flies. I'd forgotten my password... which happens far too often, and I need to figure out how to post things again.
Quick update: The puppy was born July 7th and arrived here in September. She was christened Stufield's Comedy Queen or Lucille, which quickly became Lucy, then Lou.
These two are trouble in the making. They're rams out of EVR Smokey Diamond ( a Granby Mr. Big daughter) and EVR Shine (a Sindarve Shaun son). Beautiful curls and masculine heads on these boys.
These are two of EVR Lola's triplets. Lola is one of my favorite ewes. She had triplets for her first lambing, by Nors Fox, two ewes and a ram.
Everyone is in their new homes, California, Colorado, and Washington. And... this little cutie is making EverRanch her home! Meet Jennie, Winroc Clan Evrrnch Jenina, now 4 months old and smart as a whip. Dave is training her well... or is it vice versa?
While the password is fresh in my mind, I'll try to update more often than once every 2 years!
Quick update: The puppy was born July 7th and arrived here in September. She was christened Stufield's Comedy Queen or Lucille, which quickly became Lucy, then Lou.
Here she is getting ready to go to the Welsh Springer National specialty in April. She isn't too thrilled about getting groomed. Lucy is a kick to train and is working on rally, obedience, agility, tracking and field. She really would like to try herding, too. Lucy earned her Rally Novice AKC title at the Welsh National.
Of course, we still have the sheep. Gotlands and Shetlands. We sold the last Scottish Blackface ewe last spring. This year we're up to 93.75% with the Gotlands. The last 3 years we've used semen from the Gotland's home country, Sweden. The lambs are gorgeous! Below are twin ewe lambs by Nors Fox. Mom is EVR Sapphire, a NZ Hoppy daughter, UK Daniel granddaughter, and UK Denzel great-granddaughter - three countries of Gotlands represented in our flock.
These two are trouble in the making. They're rams out of EVR Smokey Diamond ( a Granby Mr. Big daughter) and EVR Shine (a Sindarve Shaun son). Beautiful curls and masculine heads on these boys.
These are two of EVR Lola's triplets. Lola is one of my favorite ewes. She had triplets for her first lambing, by Nors Fox, two ewes and a ram.
Not to be outdone by the sheepy cuteness, we also had puppies of our own this spring. Int. Ch. Winroc Winsome Winifred, RN, TDX, WC had 7 puppies by GrCh. Aquarius Stonewall Stuart.
Everyone is in their new homes, California, Colorado, and Washington. And... this little cutie is making EverRanch her home! Meet Jennie, Winroc Clan Evrrnch Jenina, now 4 months old and smart as a whip. Dave is training her well... or is it vice versa?
While the password is fresh in my mind, I'll try to update more often than once every 2 years!
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