Poppy is of very good breeding, her father has won One Man and His Dog,
I only ever have puppies from proven bloodlines, as it is a huge investment of training time on my part, i like to know that thier parents are working, but it doesnt guarantee that the pup will work, it just helps.
Poppy is a short haired tricolor collie,
I really like lomghaired ones too, but given the nature of thier job in the stock yard, i prefer to wash off a shorthaired as they are easier to keep clean.
I know every one has different ways of training thier dogs, i personaly like to keep a young pup in my coat and take them with me out on the bike, and then leave them out on the field to have a run when we are working so they are always with you and they strike up a very strong bond with you, they run back to you if something frightens them, and you become thier replacement mother,up until the time to start working a bit and i know that does help in later years, as they have a strong sense of loyalty as a family member, and when it comes to presision work, they always do thier very best.
Poppy is a very perceptive dog, she picks up on every move i make, if we are holding sheep in a yard, and i dont want them to come back past me, i now dont have to give her so many verbal commands, she watches me out of the corner of her eye, if i just lean forward slightly, she steps up and keeps the sheep there, if i step back a bit, then she does too, she has a real sense of pride and hates getting it wrong,
she has come to the age where she knows every field and which direction we usually gather in that particular place, and that only comes with time and experience.
she knows what im going to do next and will try to get and do a job before ive told her to, which isnt always a good thing, but that is also something they do slow down about with age.
Poppy works very well with Max making them a the best companions and a really good tem.


Poopy has become a friend and a good example for Max, who thinks she is wonderful, which is a good thing, as they work well together.