I grew up on my grandparent's sheep farm in rural NH. There was always multiple border collies on the farm to help keep things running. A vast improvement from the early days, before the dogs, when my father as a young boy had to chase the ewes instead. The breed has always been a part of me, part of the family. None of the dogs were mine, perse. Family working dogs and pets that were for everyone. Some better working dogs, others better pets. I had the opportunity to be in some clinics and I always loved the experience. Loved watching the trainer work with his dogs and hoped to get there myself some day. 
Since we sold the last of the sheep about 10 years ago, replacing them with a good flock of chickens and a grumpy chihuahua, I've wanted to get back into owning and working with the border collie. I've counted down until I've had the right house, right amount of time to get my own dog and start training them for trial.
Enter Jax.
A wild man from the moment I got him in June of 2011. A hardheaded young man, he was ready to push every button and call the shots if you let him get away with it. Also, the smartest damn dog with an intense work ethic and personality that never quit. His first experience with sheep was at 6 months old. He's had some time off since then, to get his guts in order, mature a little, and time for me to find a trainer in my new Virginia home. This blog will be about Jax and I as we grow together as a team and start doing to sheep dog trials.
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