Cialmaen Swanhilda, Darby

In early 2000, I took a trip to England to get to know this breed a bit more. I found a 4 month old puppy on that trip that I just had to bring home. Darby started her journey with me on a transatlantic flight and is still giving me a run for my money. She redefines busy, but has been a great agility partner. She was within 6 legs of her ADCH in USDAA and working on her MACH in AKC when due to an injury, I had to retire her. We have done rally, flyball and herding together but her strength is definitely in agility.  Darby has had two litters and produced two very special dogs for me – Zia and Zar.

I think she would have done well in herding if I had known more about it when she was younger.  She has produced my two best herding Vallhunds.  Darby got an AHBA herding instinct title but was beyond doing much herding by the time the breed was accepted into AKC.

Performance Achievements:

• USDAA Agility: MAD, SAM, JCH
• AKC Agility: MX, AXJ, NF
• AKC Rally: RN
• NADAC Agility: EAC, EJC, TN-E, TG-E, OCC, WV-O, Open Versatility
• AHBA Herding – HCT (Herding Capability Test)
• APDT Rally – APDT Rally Champion Excellent (ARCH-X)

Darby is OFA Good.  She had a small cataract that was considered to be injury related by the CERF vet however this kept her from getting a CERF.  Four of her seven puppies have been screened and are clear.  The girl I kept from Darby and her sister Dordi are both clear at almost 8 years old.