I want to speak a little on gatekeeping in dogs and why it's problematic.

I'm going to focus on Border Collies but this is relevant to many breeds so feel free to fill in the blanks, so to speak.

Border Collies are extremely trendy right now. They have been increasing in popularity over the last decade and it's only going up. People see them in the media, they're so beautiful, so photogenic, they look so great in the hands of a trainer, they do all the things! It's valid why they're popular. They're awesome in so many ways!

I get new applications for pups every single day and (while it may take a while for me to respond) it doesn't matter if they are good fits for my program or not, I always give people kindness and support. Even if they won't be getting a dog from me.

I have friends who have reached out to many different breeders who have been in the breed a long time and have great lines, really nice dogs. But these breeders are straight up condescending. If you haven't been in the breed and been open field trialing for x amount of years, then you had better not even ask, because there's a good chance you'll be belittled.

I can understand why these breeders are hesitant, because Border Collies are experiencing the "Dalmatian affect", everyone wants one & at least half of them want to breed. It's problematic. There's no denying that.

However.

That gives no excuse to be rude, hostile & disrespectful. How about instead, take the time to kindly educate rather than ostracize?

Callousness towards newcomers WILL NOT stop what is happening to the breed. Although it will ensure that all of these newcomers will instead get dogs from unscrupulous breeders & shifty lines, further perpetuating the problem. It results in people having to start from ground zero trying to create good dogs, with little to no guidance. I'm a newer breeder myself, I'm not perfect and neither are my dogs. So I'm not making this post from a position of a gatekeeper but more from the side of the gatekept, because I do wonder sometimes where I'd be today if I had been welcomed instead of disregarded.

When you gatekeep the good genetics, you don't stop people from breeding. You stop them from breeding well.

Happy New Year’s Eve!

This year was quite the ride but I have a lot to be thankful for and many good things happened. We started off the year strong and busy as ever, seeing off the 9 Apple pups and meeting all of their owners, as well as having Denali’s owners Devin and Ida in town for furthering their dog education for a couple weeks.

In February, we met the wonderful Mushu and his amazing owner Kayli who has become a great friend! Hex got picked up from his board and train in Feb and we spent a fun week doing to transfer process and getting to know his owner Darby more, who has also become a great friend.

At the end of Feb/beginning of March, Holly got picked up from her B&T and little did I know in her owner Ashley, I would find my best friend. Also in March, Macy visited and spent about 2 weeks with us learning and rekindling her love for dog training after a really bad experience with her previous employer. Still so happy we were able to help!

The first weekend of April we spent at our first Conformation dog show! With Katelyn which was a lot of fun and while not my favorite sport, certainly one I’m glad I tried out at least once. In April a dog from Abigail’s first litter came for some time and it was nice getting to know him again! We also enjoyed an agility trial and my birthday.

In May I traveled to Idaho for the very first disc seminar by Kestral Disc Dogs and met some great dog people who are too many to name all of here, but you’re all special and I am happy to have met you! Hope to see you again. I also attended a USBCHA herding seminar while in Idaho. We enjoyed many beautiful spring hikes and at the end of May, I visited family in Florida that I hadn’t seen in over a decade, which was just amazing. While it was a week without any dogs and a week without my husband, it was a joyous one and I can’t wait to visit again!

In June, Flare finally met her mom Kristen and went home to the Carolina’s after 11 months of training with us to be a service dog! Such a rewarding experience and a placement I am so happy with. At the end of June, Ash visited again which was wonderful as always and we hiked in a thunderstorm in Tahoe. Subaru went home with her for a vacation, during which she mostly stopped chewing out her own fur and began tasking for Ashley’s health issues without being trained to do so, and it became apparent that was who she was meant to be with, which was a hard choice but one I am still happy we made.

In July I flew by myself to Chicago to pick up Lucid, the lovely Whippet from Sonic Workaholic in Poland, who is one of my biggest things that happened this year! She’s a very hopeful prospect for the future of my breeding program and I am so thankful that her breeder trusted me with her. While in Chicago, I met with Kaylin for the first time and was welcomed into another internet dog friend Rachael's home during my stay. Another two new friends and awesome people! At the end of July, I met with my new herding trainer the first time whom I am still so in love with and who also owns the sire of the Fabrics litter, Glen, who was a dream to meet.

In August I spent a few days in the bay with Ashley, getting Calypso bred and learning more from my herding trainer! Also in August, shortly after returning from that trip, Audacity had her injury which really marked the beginning of change in the trajectory of the year. Not all bad in August though, as Darby and Kaylin visited and we had a lot of fun despite some stressful circumstances.

In September we confirmed Cal’s pregnancy and Daci had her surgery. Her sibling was also diagnosed with his spine problem in Sept which was an extremely stressful time for many reasons. One of the Apples, Roku came for training and it was great getting to know him and his owner more! The USBCHA nationals came to Nevada and we enjoyed going to spectate. And on the last day of Sept, the Fabrics were born!

In October, most of my time was dedicated to the pups as they got sick and it took all we had to save them all. It felt like such a long time but I am so happy we overcame it without any causalities. Drift got picked up from his B&T and his person, Katella stayed a week for learning. She is a fantastic dog person! My mom and sister came to visit and help with puppies at the end of Oct, while Daniel attended a friend’s wedding and was the designated dog handler so their dog could be included!

In November, another Apple pup got picked up from his B&T and it was great to see his people again! We had more visits and started interviewing homes for the Fabrics. The pups took an all day road trip to their “dad’s house” for BAER testing and socialization. Nova from the Space litter and her family visited and played with puppies. Nova has become such a wonderful dog! She’s one of Audacity’s siblings, a Space pup.

In December, the pups all left to their new homes and we met all of their people, which is quite an adventure when you have 9 puppies who are going all over the place! One even went to Canada, the second Old Hemp pup there now. Macy visited again, picked up her new puppy and helped me evaluate the litter. Ash visited to help with puppies and meet them all too! Then most recently, Chloe was surrendered. And we welcomed Jon into our pack!

It’s been quite the year and it seems like with each passing year we get busier and more well known, which is both a blessing and a curse. I LOVE being able to touch the lives of so many people and dogs but sometimes I do think back and miss the simple easier days, when it was just my personal dogs and we could do things like live in a van! And didn’t have to worry about the pressures of social media. But everything requires sacrifice and as we continue adjusting to our “new” normal, the growing pains gradually decrease and we create new rhythms and patterns. I’ve been through several emotional rollercoasters this year and I’ve gained and lost inspiration and drive. But it’s coming back together, and this year as every year, my resolution is onwards and upwards.