Gem - now retired
Gem is a black and white Border collie who was born on the 11.11.97. His mother was a farm dog with a very hard outlook on life or better described as a bitch that took no prisoners, his father was a registered collie trained to do sheepdog trials and of a very gentle and kind disposition. The outcome of their union was amongst others Gem, he came to us as pick of the litter and was to be trained on the sheep and sold on. Needless to say things didn’t work out as planned and 11 years on he is still here.
Gem was trained on the sheep and can do a very nice job if he is of the mind and the sheep are happy to travel at the speed of sound, trying to slow him down was virtually impossible and as he loved the ball as much if not more than the sheep I thought that flyball may be an option.
Gem was introduced to the sport when he was about 5 years old and took to it like a duck to water and there is nothing that he enjoys more than going to a competition where he spends his spare time cheering on all the other dogs (does not care about who is in what team) and the rest of the time hurtling up and down the jumps. His fastest time when he was in his prime was sub 4 sees. But now is around the 5.40 sees time is taking its toll and the old boy is slowing down but his love of the sport is still well and truly there.
He has inherited from his mother the take no prisoners' attitude and you do not stand in his way as he will go through you rather than round earning him the nicknames of Tank and Dark Destroyer. His actual name is his mothers name backwards; maybe this has something to do with his attitude!! From his father he has inherited a kind nature thank-goodness.
PIP
I rescued Pip from a breeder who I help now and again with his horses. She was looked after physically, had a nice run, kennel etc. Unfortunately, she’d been kept in there from the age of 9 weeks (when he failed to sell her and her 2 sisters) `till about 9 months old, when I took her home. She’d never been out of her run in all that time, didn’t know how to go up steps, what a car was etc! He couldn’t remember her date of birth, only that it was `around march sometime, ` (2005) so me being welsh decided it should be St David’s day!
As a result of her lack of socialisation, she’s quite submissive and easily dominated. She started flyball in Nov. 2006 and picked it up very quickly, she just doesn’t take it very seriously sometimes! I think because she missed her childhood she feels she has to make up for it now! (Her two sisters were rehomed by a couple who run a local pub.)
As a result of her lack of socialisation, she’s quite submissive and easily dominated. She started flyball in Nov. 2006 and picked it up very quickly, she just doesn’t take it very seriously sometimes! I think because she missed her childhood she feels she has to make up for it now! (Her two sisters were rehomed by a couple who run a local pub.)
BRAMBLE
Bramble is a black cocker spaniel who came from a `breeder`. All her litter mates had been despatched by the `breeder` I turned up (while doing my job) just before her turn. I was told she was 8 weeks old and she would die as she had something wrong with her liver. Which was why she was half the size she should have been. Result? I came away with another dog! We went straight to the vets who said the only thing wrong was worms and lack of a proper diet; in fact the worms were so bad they said we might lose her by worming!
She survived the worming, introduction to my 6 other dogs and a hectic lambing with several lambs in the bottom of the Rayburn! She’s grown a bit; she’s always going to be smaller than average but, her personality more than makes up for that!
She survived the worming, introduction to my 6 other dogs and a hectic lambing with several lambs in the bottom of the Rayburn! She’s grown a bit; she’s always going to be smaller than average but, her personality more than makes up for that!
OLLIE
FERRIS & SPENCER (BFA numbers 3583a & 3583b)
This is 7 years old. Currently Ferris runs with The Swifts from Bristol and we are very grateful for them allowing us to do this. You can follow Ferris's progress on the BFA website.
Spencer is 6 years old and has taken a bit longer to get the hang of flyball but everything seems to have started to click now! Spencer is VERY VERY noisy at flyball and likes to cheerlead the other dogs when he is not running.
Spencer is 6 years old and has taken a bit longer to get the hang of flyball but everything seems to have started to click now! Spencer is VERY VERY noisy at flyball and likes to cheerlead the other dogs when he is not running.
CELT & COOPER
STAR
TARA
