03/15/2024
I’m looking to find an active home for this handsome boy where he’ll both use his mind and body on a regular basis.
Nearly 3 year old neutered male (Born May 2021).
Location: Near Kingston, Ontario.
Breeding: Amanda Milliken’s Maxine x Werner Reitboeck’s Imp. Finn. Pedigree in photos, below.
I oringally kept Rhys as my pick pup from the cross, but his testicles never descended. I then sold him to an agility home, but that wasn’t a fit. I’ve had him back since last July, and have spent the past months getting him settled into the farm routine and getting to know him.
Rhys is a very lovely boy, and a pleasure to have around. I’m looking for a home that will do more with him that I have time for, giving him 1:1 attention and some kind of job (herding, low-arousal sports, outdoor adventuring etc)
I tried Rhys on sheep 2-3x last fall and really liked what I saw. He was keen and natural, and also quite biddable with a thoughtful approach. He covered his sheep well and, after a bit of wildness, stopped / lay down on balance our first time out.
He showed me to be exactly what I was hoping from the cross. Shame about those testicles! If that doesn’t matter to you (it matters to me), keep reading 🙂
I think Rhys could make a nice herding and potential trail prospect for a novice or intermediate handler who’s looking for a dog who won’t be too hard headed but is plenty keen and with a good pedigree.
I would have kept up with his training, but life got in the way (house fire, smoke poisoning, broken arm etc.). At this point, I would like to put my time into my other dogs and find someone to give this boy what he needs.
I have no video but can take some now that the snow is gone. I’ll continue to put some training on him when I have a bit of extra time.
Rhys is very good natured, gets along with everyone, and is a charming young dog. He is easy in the house, reliable, clean, polite. Crates well, but doesn’t need a crate. Safe off-leash and a great hiking buddy. Gets along with all my other dogs (male, female, younger, older etc.). He will push back if another dog pushes him, but is neither aggressive nor a fighter.
In addition to potential sheepdog, Rhys could make a great active companion. I think he has potential as a sport prospect but given his history, a serious / competitive agility home is unlikely a good fit.
The challenges you might encounter: He is very quick to go into high arousal, which translates to exploding out of crates and through doorways, and some vocalization. He can be herdy with other dogs. He loves to RUN.
A requirement of placement will be the opportunity to run and stretch it out off-leash on a daily basis (no dog parks or ball fetching for exercise).
If you’d like to know more, please send me a PM or email me at [email protected]. Feel free to share if you know someone who might be looking for a wonderful active partner!
