SPIKE

Spike's History

Spike was our first farm dog. We adopted him from Angel's of Hope Animal Rescue. We initially adopted him for my mom and dad, but after 1 day, he had successfully chewed a brand new pair of boots and a few other things and realized he wasn't meant for Town. He is getting older now, but he still protects the animals, constantly patrolling. Once in a while, he decides he needs to go on an adventure to Town, but usually only if he has a companion to go with. We are so incredibly thankful for him. He is exceptionally gentle with dogs, cats, kids, babies and older people. You can find him lying on the manure pile with a cat or his favourite place - the couch. We aren't exactly sure how old he is or what breed he is. We know that every day we have with him is a blessing.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Angels-of-Hope-Animal-Rescue-Inc-100064627871886/

https://www.aohrescue.org/

JESS

Jess' History

We purchased Jess from our shearer, Stacey Rosvold, as a mature purebred border collie who was an experienced sheepdog. WOW, we are incredibly fortunate to have her as our first border collie and as a family pet. She goes to work with Daniel daily and is ready for chores when she is home. She loves her semi-retirement and often says, "Hold my beer - Dad/Mom, you don't know what you are doing, but I've got you." Daniel has taken her to a training event, learnt so much from it, and has made leaps and strides with her. She loves sleeping with Abby at night, and she is impressive enough that we don't have to lock her up when we are away. She doesn't bother the animals at all.

KATE

Kate's History

Knowing Jess was winding down and seeing how fantastic border collies were, we knew we couldn't go without one after having one. When we were in Minnedosa, Stacey Rosvold, our shearer, had a batch of border collies with Jess in their lineage. We fell in love with one of them; the rest is history. Kate is a typical puppy, and we will likely send her away for training, but she has a lot of personality. She is showing interest when walking by the sheep pen, and we can't wait to see her future.

Kate, Rosie, and the kitties are best friends. They usually snuggle under the heat lamp. Kate plays with Jess and Spike when she is not snuggling with Rosie or a kitty.

About Border Collies

The Border Collie was developed by the farmers and shepherds of Great Britain to manage and control livestock. The modern Border Collie results from three hundred years of breeding for working abilities. They are the most widely employed stock dogs worldwide and work sheep, cattle, goats, hogs — even poultry.

Border Collies are intelligent, obedient, eager to please, and easily trained. They have genetic herding abilities, athleticism and tremendous drive. Border Collies instinctively go to the heads of livestock to prevent their escape. This basic heading instinct is the basis for the Border Collie’s renowned gathering ability – rounding up a group of animals and bringing them to the shepherd. Gathering is undoubtedly the most valuable and common task a dog can help with on the farm. Yet, a good work dog can also help with many other tasks. Sorting, driving, holding stock in a corner so the farmer can catch particular animals, or holding stock off feeders so they can be filled.

While a Border Collie may show its instinctive desire to work at a very young age, a dog must be both physically and mentally mature before any serious training on livestock can begin. This is usually between 6 and 12 months of age. Training can take a few months for essential work, or two or more years to perfect the skills required for stock dog trials. While many Border Collies receive only “on-the-job” training, some formal training is highly recommended and will yield a much more valuable partner on the farm.

Border Collie Facts You May Not Know

The Border Collie is one of the most talented and hardworking dogs. They’ll impress you with their intelligence and win you over with their eagerness to please. Here are 10 fun facts about Border Collies:

They’re Extremely Smart Dogs

We cannot talk about the Border Collie without talking about its intelligence. Dog experts widely agree that the Border Collie is an intelligent workaholic. They can learn many words and commands, and are happiest when they’re put to work daily.

Their Name Comes From Their Home Region

The Border Collie was developed initially in Scotland and thrived in the border region between Scotland and England. The word “collie” is a Scottish word used to describe sheepdogs. Because this breed flourished in the border region, the Border Collie was christened.

Border Collies Can Be Official Goose Masters

Border Collies have many jobs, but one career you probably haven’t heard of is “goose master.” One Florida company trains Border Collies to keep geese off people’s property. The University of North Florida hired a Border Collie named “Bee” to be the goose master for their campus. Bee keeps geese away from high-traffic areas.

Lots of Celebrities Have Owned Border Collies

Queen Victoria and Robert Burns are not the only famous people who have owned Border Collies. James Dean, Anna Paquin, Bon Jovi, Ethan Hawke, James Franco, and Tiger Woods have all owned Border Collies.

They’ve Broken All Kinds of Records

A Border Collie named “Chaser” was widely recognized as the world’s most intelligent dog. She knew the names of more than 1,000 objects. Another Border Collie, “Jumpy,” holds a Guinness World Record for dog skateboarding: 100 meters in less than 20 seconds. “Striker,” a Border Collie from Quebéc City, set the canine record for rolling down a manual car window. In 2008, a Border Collie mix named “Sweet Pea” set a record for dog balancing; she balanced a can on her head and walked 100 meters in only 2 minutes and 55 seconds.

They Make Great Actors

Border Collies have been cast in many films and TV shows. The movie “Babe” — about a little pig that defies the odds and becomes a sheepherder — features Border Collies as actors and as herders. Border Collies have also been cast in the movies “Animal Farm” and “Snow Dogs,” and in the hit ’90s television series, “Mad About You.”

They Make Great Search and Rescue Dogs

In addition to herding, another everyday job for Border Collies is search and rescue. In 2016, a Border Collie named “Blitz” saved the life of a 51-year-old woman in England. The woman had been missing for more than a day when Jess Ellsmore, a volunteer search and rescue handler, brought her dog Blitz into the search area. Blitz found the missing woman under some thick foliage, where she wouldn’t have been visible to human searchers alone.

They’re Champion Herders

Border Collies were originally bred to herd sheep. They excel at the task because of their strength, stamina, intelligence, and work ethic. Border Collies are famous for using “the eye”— staring intensely at flock members to intimidate them. When the earliest recorded sheepdog trial occurred at Bala, Wales, in 1873, the crowd was astonished that the Border Collies could herd sheep into a small pen, guided only by hand signals and whistles from their owners.

Queen Victoria Loved Them

Queen Victoria was a true dog lover who liked many breeds. However, in the early 1860s, she became an active enthusiast for the Border Collie. At this time, the Border Collie began to separate from and be distinguished from the modern Collie.

One Was Featured in Scottish Poetry

The famous Scottish poet Robert Burns (If you don’t know him, think: “The best-laid schemes of mice and men…”) owned a Border Collie named “Luath” that he loved dearly. Luath’s tragic death inspired one of Burns’ best poems, “The Twa Dogs,” which captured the special bond between dog and man. Multiple statues of Robert Burns include Luath right by his side.

AKC Website

GJS EEVEE

GJS Eevee was purchased from Chinook Goldens.

CKC Golden Retriever Information

Golden Retriever

Origin

The most glamorous of the retriever family, the Golden was developed in the mid-19th century by a Scotsman, Sir Dudley Majoribanks, later Lord Tweedmouth. The romantic story that first unfolded concerned Sir Dudley visiting a circus and being so taken with a troupe of Russian sheepdogs that he bought them all. But when his breeding records were made public, they revealed the Golden was all sporting blood. It had been created by crossing the wavy-coated Retriever with the yellow Tweed Water Spaniel. The offspring were crossed with the Irish Setter and the sandy-coloured Bloodhound. Linebreeding finally created the Golden. It was first granted breed status in Britain in 1913. Among the most ingratiating breeds, the Golden’s manners win friends for him wherever he’s seen.

Temperament

The Golden Retriever is a family pet, especially with children. It is noted for being friendly, reliable, and trustworthy. In addition to being a gentle-mouthed retriever, the breed excels in obedience and shines as a guide dog for the seeing-impaired.

Activity Level

A powerful and active dog, the Golden does well in suburban or country environments where they get a lot of outdoor exercise.

Height/Weight

Strong and upstanding males measure from 23-24 in (58-61 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 65-75 lb (29.5-34 kg). Females are somewhat smaller.

Coat

The dense, water-repellent coat lies flat against the body and may be straight or wavy. It is firm and resilient. There’s moderate feathering on the back of the forelegs and heavier feathering on the front of the neck, back of the thighs and underside of the tail.

Colour

It’s golden, of course, but in various shades of gold.

Grooming

Regular brushing is the only grooming required outside of the occasional bath.

https://www.ckc.ca/en/Events/CKC-Breed-Standards

CHUBBY - GOLDENDOODLE

History

We kept one of Eevee's puppies. I know what you are thinking, WHY!?! She was incredibly bonded to the kids, those puppy dog eyes, and their PLEASES; it was bound to happen. We nearly kept 2, but our niece and her husband took Teddy, so we didn't "have" to keep 2!

Chubby's Name

She was always at the milk bar, and when weighed, she always topped the charts and couldn't be called anything but Chubby. You wouldn't know by her looks now! But the name, at the time, stuck!

The Goldendoodle breed

About this Breed

The Goldendoodle is a popular designer breed ranging in size from miniature to large, depending on the Poodle variant crossed with a golden retriever. Bred in the 1990s as an alternative to the Cockapoo, the Goldendoodle is known for its affectionate and gentle nature. It is an excellent family and working dog, excelling in roles such as therapy and service.

Goldendoodles thrive in city and country settings but require space, making them less suited for apartment living. Social dogs need daily interaction with their owners to prevent separation anxiety. They are easy to train, non-aggressive, and generally non-shedding, appealing to allergy sufferers. Regular grooming is necessary to maintain their coats.

When selecting a Goldendoodle, consider its temperament, influenced by heredity and socialization. Early exposure to various experiences and training helps Goldendoodles grow into well-adjusted companions. With their friendly and intelligent nature, Goldendoodles make wonderful family pets that enjoy human company.

**Care** Goldendoodles are intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train with positive reinforcement. Socialization is crucial to prevent shyness. They have an average energy level and need 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise, including walks or swimming. Goldendoodles require room to move and are better suited for homes with a fenced yard. They thrive with family and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

**Feeding** Feed your Goldendoodle 1 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food daily, divided into multiple meals. Amounts vary based on size, age, and activity level. To ensure your Goldendoodle maintains a healthy weight, measure its food and consider feeding it twice daily. Perform the eye and hands-on tests to assess its weight. Goldendoodles should eat several small meals rather than one large meal.

**Coat Color and Grooming** The Goldendoodle has a wavy to curly coat that is around two to three inches long, with longer hair on the tail, body, ears, and legs (which may have slight feathering), and shorter hair on the head and muzzle. Coat colours include black, copper, white, cream, gray, golden, apricot, and red, with golden being the most common. While they are considered non-shedding, regular grooming is essential to maintain their coat. Owners often clip the coat for easier upkeep but should brush it weekly or biweekly if left natural.

Bathing should be infrequent, as too many baths can strip the coat of necessary oils. Teeth should be brushed two to three times a week, and nails should be trimmed monthly. Ears need weekly checks for signs of infection, and cleaning should only involve the outer ear with a gentle, pH-balanced cleaner. Begin grooming activities early to acclimate your Goldendoodle, making it a positive experience. During grooming, check for signs of sores or health issues, such as redness or eye discharge. Regular checks can help identify potential health problems early on.

**Children and Other Pets**

Goldendoodles make great family pets, especially if they inherit the Golden Retriever's temperament, being patient and gentle with children. Always teach kids to approach and touch dogs and supervise all interactions to prevent mishaps. Children should not disturb dogs while eating or sleeping. Goldendoodles typically get along well with other pets, but proper socialization from puppyhood is essential.

Welcome to BB Farms

Welcome to Doggo Family!