Hillhaven Australian Cattle Dogs

11/20/2023

Yesterday was the last day of the Mid-Florida Australian Cattle Dog Fanciers 3 day trial. In the morning I scribed for judge Rachael Vest on B course sheep. As sheep were being set on course at the lovely Penn Y Caerae farm on a pristine morning, she remarked on how blessed and fortunate we are. Thanks to Leida and Casey for providing a wonderful facility and sheep, and to Mimi Williams for ducks, to the stock handlers and our fabulous secretary, Susan Gordon, and to Deb Kaboom Lee Mintzer for organizing, food, trophies and all that goes into having a trial. And thanks to my fellow competitors. The herding community here is really special!

I trialed Trusty in Advanced A course ducks and sheep against some very able dogs and handlers. I was so pleased with him. He placed 3rd on ducks and second in sheep, with a nice score of 92. He makes my heart sing with joy 💗

Today we got cows!!! Beautiful heifers from Brian and Deb Mintzer to enjoy and work all winter. Woohoo!

As Rachael said, so blessed and fortunate 😄

10/10/2023

The eight day trip to ACDCA Nationals at Purina Farms, solo in the motorhome with 7 dogs, was an exhausting blast 🤣. Multiple dogs in multiple events and LOTS and LOTS of walking. Great time with old friends and new. More ribbons and trophies than I know what to do with. Herding was the highlight for me. Trusty did a splendid job in his advanced cattle and sheep classes, placing, including a gorgeous High in Trial sheep run. Forge earned his PT. Bonnie earned a HSAc leg.

"Thank you" doesn't begin to cover the gratitude I feel to all those who worked so hard to make the week fun and rewarding. Kaboom Lee Mintzer Joyce Rowland Alexis Kurowski Ingrid Rosenquist Sherry Clark to name only a smattering of volunteers.

09/23/2023

Lori Peck Herbel, XP Ranch Photography gives me another great photo of Trusty. This dog tries so hard to understand what I am asking of him and always gives me his best effort. He brings me so much happiness! I'm blessed to share this journey with such a sincere, enthusiastic, loving, smart dog.

09/14/2023

Such a gorgeous early fall morning at the farm. Worked 3 dogs on livestock, tuning up for the Australian Cattle Dog National herding trials.

08/26/2023

Look out world, here we come! Herc's first time showing in confirmation, St. Croix Valley Kennel Club Best Baby Puppy in Show!!!! DOB 4-15-23. Taylryder N Hillhaven Hero of Heroes. Katniss x Trusty.

07/28/2023

Hercules walked up on the calves on the other side of the fence, using a lot of eye. When they backed, he sat down as if to say, "I got 'em under control, right where I want them." He called off readily. Such an awesome pup!

07/24/2023

Official NEW CHAMPION photo of Bonnie (CH Taylryder N Hillhaven Something To Talk About HSAs). Thank you judge Mary Murphy for the major win, putting Bonnie up for Best of Breed over Specials. A great way to finish 🎉

07/21/2023

Herc and Bonnie, brother and sister from different litters, playing in the alfalfa field.

07/17/2023

Galina Korinek does it again - another terrific picture. Herc (Taylryder N Hillhaven Hero of Heroes), Katniss x Trusty, 3 months. I'm so very pleased with this puppy.

07/08/2023

New CH, finishing in style going BOB from the open class, 5 point major for Bonnie, CH Taylryder N Hillhaven Something To Talk About HSAs (Trusty/Katniss, 23 months)

07/06/2023

"Am I not something!?!?!" Herc, 12 weeks.

06/22/2023

A beautiful morning at Afton, WY as Open Cattle handlers meet prior to the day's Mountain States Stockdog Assoc Finals competition, which started Monday and runs through Saturday. I believe this is the largest cattle herding competition in the world (there's sheep trials too), and attracts the top dogs and handlers, as well as those more novice. It's inspiring. The organization and ex*****on of this event is astounding. The collegiality and cordiality of participants and volunteers make for a fabulous week!

06/03/2023

Puppy love 💞

05/17/2023

An important part of our mission at Hillhaven is to preserve and promote the herding ability of our breed, and to provide that opportunity to others. As a part of that commitment, we bring in trainer Kent Herbal, XP Ranch, twice annually.

04/29/2023

Very nice Trusty grandbabies!

02/19/2023

"Trusty" herding at Acorn Acres. How I love this dog! What more can I say about the dog of a lifetime 💖 GCHB DC Hillhaven Second Star to the Right HSAdsc HSBds HSDs HIAdsc HIBds HIDs HXAdsc HXBd STDdsc OTDdsc ATDdsc WTCH RD

Thanks Kaboom Lee Mintzer for your fabulous trial facility and Rob Robinson for photography.

02/08/2023

Merit! And Amelia. CH Hillhaven Devine Miss Merit DJ DS

06/27/2022

We are so proud and thrilled with Dena Denali and her young boy, Lucky. Fabulous work, amazing team!!!! Congratulations!!!! 🙌❤️👏👏👏👏🤗

So LUCKY & I did a thing today! ❤️🐑🐾🥂

RESERVE HIGH IN TRIAL🏆
AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG HIGH SCORE🏆
Can CH Hillhaven’s Reel Lucky Star HT - 14mo🐾

CKC Herding Arena Sheep Started 96.5/100 at Sturgeon County Kennel Club

Judge: Gina McDonnell
Owner/Handler: Dena Denali
Breeders: Louanne Brooks Ludwig & Amelia Brooks

06/25/2022

Best of Breed, BOBOH, and an owner handler group 4 for our boy Trusty today! It has taken him a couple days to get his head in the game, but we had fun out there today!

Zephyr has also been having a good time being a show dog and has taken best of winners the last 2 days. 😁

06/24/2022

A good start to the weekend at the Summer Solstice Cluster in Cambridge - Best of Winners, Best Puppy ACD, and a Puppy Herding Group 2 for Bonnie at her first ever "big girl" show! Not to be forgotten, sire Trusty took Best of Opposite, and RWB for Zephyr.

06/10/2022

Merit has some very exciting PennHip results to report: no evidence of osteoarthritis, Right DI 0.29 and Left DI 0.24! These results put her at low risk for developing hip dysplasia, and rank her in the top 5% of tightest hip laxity for Australian Cattle Dogs! This is our first time ever having a PennHip evaluation done, and it has been very interesting to learn about their assessment process, especially with such a positive outcome!

03/21/2022

Merit had a great time at the Shasta kennel club shows this weekend - back to back to back winners b***h and best of breed owner-handler all 3 days we were entered! 💜

03/01/2022

With 350 lifetime owner-handler points, Elphaba (BISS OHBIS GCH Hillhaven Defying Gravity) has retroactively earned the achievement of NOHS BRONZE!

Though I think she'd still like to be going to dog shows on a regular basis, she doesn't mind retirement too much. Especially when she can lounge on her favorite blanket in front of the wood stove while surrounded by her ribbons and accolades. 🥰

02/07/2022

Structure and working ability matter...
XP Ranch Photography

01/16/2022

Zephyr, on vacation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with Tim and Galina Korinek .

01/13/2022

Woohoo! Beginner Puppy Herding Group 1 for Miss Bonnie today!!!!!

01/13/2022

Bonnie-Bon-Bon placed 4th in the Beginner Puppy Herding Group today at Brooksville, FL. She showed better today than on Monday. The socialization is super. We show again tomorrow and Sunday.

01/11/2022

"Bonnie" Taylryder N Hillhaven Something to Talk About, 5 1/2 months, takes a Beginner Puppy Group 3 at Brooksville, FL. She's a handful! Definitely not solid in the ring yet. We had fun hanging out at the show. Three more opportunities to show this week in the 4-6 month competition. Thanks for the photo, Deb Mintzer.

01/07/2022

Dena Denali with 8 month old male "Lucky." A Zephyr x Trusty pup.

01/02/2022

Five months old - 4 siblings from Katniss x Trusty.