UPDATES:

2021 - At the ripe old age of 13, Zar competed and finished his novice containers scent work title. He still likes to do things and scent work is the perfect sport for a senior.

2020 - Zar and I finished his Rally Master title which gave him 58 points to his Versatility Grand Championship - an SVCA award. He is the first to achieve this level. So proud of my first home bred champion and extremely versatile working dog. He is a joy to train and we have tried many things over the years. He turned 12 in May of this year and has earned his retirement. We still play around with scent work and rally as he still loves to do stuff with me.

2019 has been a bit quieter for my 11 year old, but this fall we started working on his Rally Master title. To date we have 9 of the 10 required legs and should finish up in early 2020.

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Zar finished 2018 by completing the requirements for an AKC Herding Championship. He is the first Swedish Vallhund to complete the HC and is now a triple herding champion and an AKC Dual Champion.

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Zar has had a great 2018 - to date he has achieved 13 points towards his herding championship, including a 4 point major!

He had a wonderful National Specialty - best veteran in the Sweepstakes, an award of merit in the regular competition, high combined in preferred agility, high combined in rally, and to top it off - won the Most Versatile Vallhund competition!!

So proud of this very special boy!

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Zar was from my 3rd litter. He was out of Darby (Cialmaen Swanhilda) and Tempest (Mystarz Bailey’s Blazer).  Zar has accomplished so many firsts in this breed and we are not quite done yet.

He became the first Versatility champion in the breed at 5 years old. His accomplishments include:

--- The first Swedish Vallhund to achieve a herding championship in any organization and is the first to achieve triple herding championships - AKC’s Herding Championship (HC), ASCA's Working Trial Championship (WTCH) and AHBA's Herding Trial Championship (HTCH).  His herding accomplishments include being the first to qualify on AKC's course B and to compete and qualify at the AKC advanced level. He has 3 High in Trial awards in herding and one Reserve High in Trial.

--- The first Vallhund to accomplish the AKC advanced title on any stock.  He finished his HXAd in May of 2017 and his HXAs in the fall.

--- Zar has over 20 group placements in the AKC breed ring and has been in the top 5 multiple times.  In 2016 he was number one in all breed points and was the number one male in the breed (number 2 overall).

--- One of the first silver grand champions in the breed.

--- Recently he competed for the first time in an IABCA conformation show weekend and received 2 Best In Show Veterans awards, 2 Reserve Best in Show Veteran awards and one Reserve Best in Show.  Not bad at 9 years old.

--- This boy just loves to do whatever I want to do and is a joy to have around.

Hips: OFA Fair, PennHip 0.40 and 0.56

CERF 08, 10, 11, 12, 14 

Cardiac Normal

UPDATES:

BISS GCHB DC HTCH FTCH WTCH VSVCH Caliente Lightning Strikes Twice HXAds HSAc SWN SCA SIA SEA NAP NJP RATO RA CA HTAD II -c HTAD III -ge,s HTD I-ge,s OFTDsmd AFTDs ATDsd

Spring 2022 - Stryker achieved another first in the breed - he finished his 4th herding championship - the ASCA Farm Trial Championship!! He is on such a roll and really coming in to his own as a stock dog. Next up the WTCH-X!

Feb 2022 - Stryker did an awesome job at the BCCAZ Scentwork Trial, qualifying in 6 of 8 runs. On Sunday he qualified in all 4 elements and was High In Trial - Advanced.

2021 Updates - The last scent work trial of 2021 was pretty successful for Stryker - he finished his Novice exterior title to complete the SWN title. He also achieved a few legs in advanced.

In July we made the trek to Oklahoma City to do a little conformation and scent work. It was a great weekend and I was able to finish Stryker’s Bronze Grand Championship and get a few scent work qualifying runs as well.

Stryker finished his AKC herding championship making him the second vallhund to have achieved this, AND becoming the second AKC Dual Champion in the breed.

We are working in scent work, rally, and agility as well. Stryker is very close to becoming the breed’s first ASCA Farm Dog champion and will continue to work on his WTCH-X.

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Stryker finished his ASCA WTCH in 2020. _______________________________________________________

Stryker finished his AHBA Herding Trial Championship and is making great strides to his ASCA field championship and has completed the advanced field trial title on sheep and the open field trial titles on mixed flock and ducks. We managed to work in some scentwork as well.

2019 has been a herding focused year for Stryker, he is making progress on his championships in all three venues. He has 8 points in AKC, his ASCA advanced sheep and geese titles, and has 5 points towards his AHBA HTCH.

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Stryker’s 2018 included finishing his SVCA Versatility Championship - becoming the youngest in our breed to date - at 3.5 years old. He is continuing in his herding training, finishing his intermediate AKC titles on sheep and geese and completing the started cattle title.

2018 Specialty - Stryker won the Regional Specialty, and like his father is now a Best in Specialty Show. He also achieved a reserve high in trial award at the specialty from the intermediate class.

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Stryker is a Laila and Zar son, from Laila's first litter.  I knew there was something special about him from very early on.  He was not supposed to stay but after a few weeks I knew that he would.  

At two years old, he is proving to be one of the best working partners I have had.  His work on stock is very natural and he learns everything I teach him very quickly.  

He has done well in the show ring already too; he finished his championship at 22 months old and has 2 group placements already, a group 3 and a recent group 4.

Stryker is following in his Father's footsteps, in every arena.

Hips: OFA Good, Elbows normal, Patellas normal

CERF Normal 2014

UPDATES:

Bert and I are continuing his herding training, agility, rally and scent work. He loves to work and has produced some very nice working puppies.

Bert did an amazing job at the 2018 National specialty herding trial, he was the High Combined for both morning and afternoon events, and was High In Trial in all 4 herding trials, 2 on sheep and 2 on geese. Bert also was the Select Dog at the National Specialty.

We are working in agility, rally and barnhunt, and will continue to advance in herding.

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Bert, a gorgeous red sable boy, is a gift from a very good friend, his breeder Wendy Amon.  Bert was born in England and at 2 years old made his way to Arizona.  He is a sweet boy and very talented on stock. We are working on rally, agility, barn hunt and herding and I expect to have lots of brags about him over the next few years.

Bert and Laila have had two litters, and all 6 puppies are showing promise as working partners.  

Bert finished his championship in 4 straight shows and 4 majors. He continued on to finish his grand championship very quickly as well. He has several group placements and was number 3 in all breed points in his first year in the show ring.

Bert is OFA Fair, Elbows normal

Cerf Normal 2016 

SV Retinopathy - carrier

SPRING 2022 Updates

Neva and I have found our stride in herding. She has just gotten better and better this spring, and was my primary dog in the spring camp at Painted Seven Ranch. The weekend after camp was an ASCA trial and Neva completed her started titles in sheep and geese. We also completed our open farm trial title on geese, with Neva placing 2nd on one of her runs with a score of 121! She also placed in 3 of her 6 arena runs.

In scent work she finished all of her excellent odor titles and completed her advanced handler discrimination title. We moved up to masters and she completed her first masters title in exterior. Neva places in the top 4 frequently and is a solid consistent working girl who is a joy every time we step to the line in any venue.

2021 Update: Dec 2021 SVCA Herding Trial - Neva and I qualified in 4 of 4 started sheep runs to achieve her HSAs title. She is coming on strong with herding and is a joy to train.

The last scent work trial of 2021 Neva ran in Excellent for all elements on Saturday, qualifying in 3 of the 4 runs. She moved into Masters for containers on Sunday and got her first leg with a 4th place and 2 more excellent qualifiers.

Neva is doing really well in herding having achieved her HT and then a month later her PT. We will be competing at the started level this fall. She is excelling in scent work and is working in excellent, having finished her advanced titles (except HD) in July in Oklahoma City. We are also working on agility and hope to begin competing this fall.

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Neva and Yorick’s litter picture was an attempt to recreate the bowl picture. However, we were a week or so too late and they were too determined to explore. It was fun to try it though.

Early in 2020, Neva had her first litter with my lovely Swedish import Skogsbygens Kalle Kvick. She was an awesome mother and raised 3 boys who are now out in the world making their own mark on the world. Now we can get back to training!

Neva is growing into a beautiful girl and a great working partner. In 2019 she finished her AKC championship and started doing scent work. She is doing well in her training for agility, herding and rally.

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Neva is a Laila/Bert daughter who is fiery and intense like her parents.

She is quick and fun to work with and I think she will be a great performance dog.  

Time will tell..... but no matter what she is a sweet and loving little girl. 

2022 Updates: Lark continues to do well in herding and completed her ASCA open title on sheep. She needs one more leg on geese and is working hard on driving and moving on to advanced levels on stock.

We are also working on our obedience team work and have two rally novice legs completed.

2021 Updates: Lark had achieved her started AKC titles with her owner Shawna prior to 2020. 2021 saw her finish her intermediate AKC titles on sheep and geese. She also completed AHBA level 1 and ASCA started titles.

Lark is a full sister to Neva and returned to me in 2020 when her owner passed away. She fit in so well that she ended up staying with my pack. While I know she would have adapted to a new home, she was showing promise as a herding dog (and a very talented obedience dog) that I wanted to see her continue in herding.

Lark is OFA Fair, SV Retinopathy DNA Clear, Normal Elbows and Patellas.

If all goes well, she and Stryker will have a litter in 2022. I believe they will be talented herding dogs.

Spring 2022 - Desi continued to knock out her excellent scent work titles, we only need two more interior legs to complete her SWE. She also completed her excellent handler discrimination title.

Through the summer we participated in AKC’s virtual rally and Desi completed her RN with all scores in the 90’s. I do love this program as the weekends are packed in our very short competition season so doing rally at home for the initial titles helps the competition schedule.

Feb 2022 - Desi had her shot in excellent this past weekend (Neva came into heat) and did a great job. She qualified in 6 of 8 runs (but only got a Q in 5 of them thanks to her handler) and was as always joyous in her work.

2021 Updates: Desi completed her last advanced leg in containers and is now ready in excellent for all scent work elements. She is patiently waiting for Neva to clear out of excellent so she can trial in 2022.

Desi is excelling in her scent work training, and is almost finished with her advanced titles. She charmed everyone at the Oklahoma City trials and did an outstanding job in her runs, qualifying in 10 runs with many placements.

We continue working in herding and rally obedience. She won’t be an agility dog because of the spinal damage from a birth defect, but it certainly doesn’t slow her down in her other endeavors.

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Desi is a force of nature - equally her brother Stryker in herding ability and an amazing working dog in everything we have tried. She is just two years old but I love training her.

Desi had a birth defect that caused some spinal cord damage so her movement is a bit unusual, but that does not slow her down. She is the happiest most endearing dog and everyone responds to her winning personality.

She is focused in her work and happy in every situation.

Desi is a Zar/Laila daughter from the repeat breeding in February 2018.

SV Retinopathy - Clear

Revel is continuing in his novice scent work, I’m thinking I will complete his novice elite titles before moving him up. With the girls running in the upper levels he doesn’t need to move up quickly.

In the May scent work trial he placed first in 3 runs and 2nd in the fourth odor element leading to a high in trial Novice award. He also has two novice handler discrimination legs, placing first in both runs.

Revel qualified in all 8 of his novice scent work runs at the BCCAZ Feb 2022 trial. He was more methodical and consistent this trial, and had a great time.

2021 Updates - Now that his dad has moved on in Scent Work, Revel is getting to play in novice. He did really well in December, qualifying in 3 out of 4 runs, placing second in all three.

Revel picked up a few points in conformation this year including his first major.

Revel is starting his training in multiple venues and has shown that he too, loves to work. He is doing well in scent work, starting to show herding ability and is also getting the basics of agility and obedience. He loves the show ring and everyone he meets. He is going to be a fun partner in the years to come.

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In his 4-6 month debut in the show ring, Revel received herding group 1 in all 3 shows, and 2 Best in Show puppy wins. He had so much fun!

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Revel was born in 2019 to Kailani and Stryker. He is a sweet boy, showing some promise in herding and eager to learn new things. His initial shows in conformation found him kissing judges (like his father did) and enjoying life to the fullest. He is a gorgeous moving dog.

Yorick started his scent work career in the spring of 2022, splitting a couple of weekends with Revel. He is a methodical worker and very consistent on his indications. He finished his novice container title and has legs in each element as well as 2 legs in handler discrimination.

Yorick came to me from Sweden and turned 2 in March 2020.

He is a very good worker - loves to train and we are working on rally, agility and scent work. He is not interested in stock but is one of the most athletic dogs I have had.

This year will begin his trialing and performance career.

OFA Good, Elbows normal, Patellas normal

Retinopathy Clear

Alkemi Eclipse at Caliente Lt is a gorgeous boy from two very special dogs - BISS GCHS DC WTCH HTCH VSVGCH Caliente Once In a Blue Moon RAE RM OA OAJ OF RATO HTD1ge HRD1s SCN, Zar to Amanda’s lovely girl CH Alkemi Clear Air Turbulence Lt AX OAJ NAP NJP XF XFP - Alice. Alice is a daughter from a previous joint breeding of the amazing Zhora - MACH7 Alkemi Blade Runner Ls MXG2 MJC2 MXF TQX T2B2 bred to my very special boy Bert - GCH Pepperthyme Tapani HSAds HSDs TKN.

The newest editions to Caliente dogs are a result of a breeding by my good friend and fellow breeder, Amanda Lowery of Alkemi Swedish Vallhunds.

Amanda and I had talked about this litter for many years and on 3 January, 2022 7 beautiful puppies came into this world. To say we are excited about this litter is an understatement.

Alkemi Emira at Caliente Lt is a fiesty girl from two very special dogs - BISS GCHS DC WTCH HTCH VSVGCH Caliente Once In a Blue Moon RAE RM OA OAJ OF RATO HTD1ge HRD1s SCN, Zar to Amanda’s lovely girl CH Alkemi Clear Air Turbulence Lt AX OAJ NAP NJP XF XFP - Alice. Alice is a daughter from a previous joint breeding of the amazing Zhora - MACH7 Alkemi Blade Runner Ls MXG2 MJC2 MXF TQX T2B2 bred to my very special boy Bert - GCH Pepperthyme Tapani HSAds HSDs TKN.

UPDATES:

We continue her training on stock, rally and agility. She took time out in 2019 to have a litter of puppies but is back to training again. She was a wonderful mom, one of my best. We hope to have one more litter in 2021.

2018 Specialty Week - Kailani did well in the shows following the specialty, with a Best of Opposite, a Select and Best of Breed. She got a Group 4 in the Prescott shows that weekend as well. We are working in Barn Hunt, Rally, Agility and Herding.

Kailani comes from Pepperthyme in England and is a half sister to Bert.  Her mother goes back to the kennel that Zar's grandmother came from.  She is a confident, sweet girl who also knows her own mind.  

She finished her championship and grand championship before she was two years old, beating Zar and Bert from time to time.  

We are working on barn hunt, agility, rally and herding.  

Hips OFA Good

Patella and Elbows normal

 SV Retinopathy - carrier

Laila is a hard working, intense girl who came to me at 10 weeks old from Fantasi kennel in Wisconsin.  She is serious about her job no matter what the job is from barn hunting or rally to being an awesome mother.  

Laila is working in rally advanced, at the senior level in barn hunt and the started level this year in herding.  

She is sweet and social with everyone.

Hips - OFA Excellent, PennHip .38 and .41

Patella, Cardiac and Elbows normal

CERF: 11, 12 Normal    VPI Eyes normal 14, 16

SV Retinopathy - DNA tested clear

Tempest was imported from England in 2006. He came over at 10 weeks old and I fell in love with him instantly.

He is an unassuming boy, who is happy with just laying at your feet and snuggling on the couch.  He has an awesome temperament and can go anywhere.  He isn't as driven as some of my other dogs but he is as balanced as they come. 

He has sired 4 litters and of his 14 puppies, 10 have received titles. Within these titled puppies there are 5 competing in upper levels of agility, 5 with obedience or rally titles, one with multiple trial level herding titles and a few with herding tested passes. There are also 3 champions and 2 that went on to their Grand Champion. There are also several participating in Barn Hunt competitions with one doing very well at the upper levels.

The photo from the specialty is Tempest on the left with his son Zar and grandson Stryker.  I am proud of my three generations of boys.

OFA Hips – Good

PennHIP .47 and .40 

Normal Elbows

CERF 06, 10, 11

I lost Zia in early 2019 to congestive heart failure. She was an amazing partner and was the first I was truly successful with in herding. She was a special little girl.

Zia was out of my first litter with Darby, born in 2003.  She was a very good herding dog in her day, working sheep, ducks and had a few tries on cattle.  She worked everything with the same focus.  Zia was the first Swedish Vallhund to achieve the AKC started and intermediate titles on A course sheep.

She was High in Trial on sheep at the SVCA Specialty in 2010 qualifying for her first intermediate leg.  She was High in Trial on ducks at the SVCA Specialty in 2012.

Health checks: OFA Fair, PennHIP scores of .38 and 5

CERF clear - 04, 06, 10, 12

Darby left the pack the day before her 14th birthday. She was a life changing dog and left me with a wonderful legacy of offspring. Zar and Zia are her puppies and they are proving to be the performance partners their mother was. She was a great partner and I will always miss her sassy personality.

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.  That discovery led to many good friends and mentors in this breed and I found the girls who would be the foundation of my lines today. 

Darby started her journey with me on a transatlantic flight and gave me a run for my money her whole life. She redefined busy, and had an opinion which she freely shared. 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 did rally, flyball, nose work and herding together but her favorite was definitely agility. 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.

Darby was OFA Good but was affected by the SV Retinopathy.

What can I say about Cayenne, my first Vallhund and the reason for me falling in love with this breed. She was a willing worker and a wonderful partner. She was my little cheerleader, loving everyone and happy about everything we did together.  She charmed everyone at a time when no one knew what a Swedish Vallhund was.

Cayenne would have been a very good herding dog; she just had an inexperienced handler. At 11 years old, Cayenne went to her first national specialty and qualified in the Most Versatile Vallhund competition. She qualified in rally, herding and agility. 

She left me at 15.5 years old and was happy until the very end.  I still miss her.

Cayenne was OFA Good, PennHIP scores of .31 and .56. She had clear CERFs in 2000, 2003