Stock Dogs Move Livestock

Border collies are the dog of choice to herd livestock.

These canines can be beautiful. They are scary smart and crackle with energy. Yes, people can train them to do routines other than moving livestock, but what these dogs live and breathe for is work.

(It does not matter what they look like if their conformation allows them to do what they love.)

In my opinion it is cruel to keep a Border collie as a pet. Don't believe me? Go to a sheep dog trial and watch a working dog do what is bred in the bone and blood.

Sheep dog trials are held all over the country. To find a trial in the Northeast see the North East Border Collie Association site or United States Border Collie Association Web site.

We Love Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival, Tunbridge, Vermont is this weekend, Oct. 3 and 4.

Fiber lovers rejoice - there's tons of yarns, knitters, spinners, plus related vendors - and sheep dog demonstrations. Arrive early to get your pick of the roving and raw fleece.

Sheep, alpacas, angora rabbits, goats, and llamas too - plus spinning wheels, needle felting, ideas to last a whole winter long.

For details see www.vermontsheep.org.

Working Dogs, Herding Clinic

The mission of the North East Border Collie Association (NEBCA) is to promote and protect the border collie as a working stock dog through the "sanctioning and regulation of competitive herding trials and by providing information on training, health and breeding."

Next NEBCA Herding Clinic, May 16 and May 17, Taravale Farm & Kennel, Esperance, New York. For details see the NEBCA site at www.nebca.net or call (518) 875-6471.

Border Collies Work Sheep, Connecticut

Anyone who has ever worked livestock knows the value of a good stock dog. Read more about this particular border collie and where she works sheep, www.moodogpress.com.

Centennial for Sheep, Wool, Border Collies

There's nothing quite like quality yarn.

This spring, the 100th Annual Connecticut Sheep, Wool, and Fiber Festival is Saturday April 25 at Tolland Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Avenue (Route 30), Vernon. Featuring working border collies, sheep shearing, spinning, weaving, there's something for everyone. Meet the animals that produce the fiber - from sheep to llamas and alpaca. Watch the fleece to shawl contest, try your hand at spinning, or just enjoy the color and critters. Admission is $3 for parking; call (860) 526-3883 for details.

In 2008, the 20th Annual Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival offered up a feast of fiber - naturally dyed cotton, hemp, wool, and blends. Exotics. On display were all things to create beauty from fibers - from spinning wheels, drum carders, spindles and knitting accessories. There was raw fleece, rovings, homegrown millspun yarn, handspun yarn, hand-knit creations for people and dogs.

And then there was the working dog demonstrations, featuring Border collies, expertly herding sheep. Beauty in motion.


This year's Vermont festival will be held October 3 and 4, at Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT. For more information contact Kat Smith, (802) 446-3325.