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| Kelpie Company for Work, Play and MateshipMac, Bonnie and Jackie |
“Connection, company and excuses – these marvellous things our dogs give us,” says Jackie. “They can really help to keep our wheels on the cart. Just the feel of your dog’s head under your hand can sometimes enable you to remember to keep breathing in and out.”
Jackie admits that she is biased, but considers kelpies the best of man’s best friends.
“They are focused, loyal and energetic, and the more you put into them the more you get out of them,” says Jackie. “Each one is different in temperament and response so they are a constant learning experience, and with the intelligence and focus they can be very funny.”
Jackie has loved kelpies for a long time, and has owned them since she was 15 years old.
“My first one was the deal I made with my parents about moving onto a farm. She was a pet and spent most of her time following me around on the horses. I was unable – as always! – to come up with a name, and she was known as JD for Jackie’s dog.”
Since JD, she has had five kelpies. She made national headlines last year when she sold her dog Beloka Red II – Red – at the Casterton kelpie muster in Victoria for a world record $7400. She kindly donated the cash to the depression initiative beyondblue and proved a point at the same time: that women could part with dogs that they had trained without turning into blubbering heaps.
“People told me it couldn’t be done, and I’m the wrong chick to tell that to,” she laughs.
Red remains dear to her heart, but she is happy that he is realising his considerable potential as both a working dog and a stud, having sired two impressive litters already.
She now has three kelpies: four-year-old dog Mac, one-year-old bitch Bonnie, and is on the look out for a new pup.
“Mac has a fantastic nature and is a great combination of worker and pet. Bonnie has a lovely even, steady temperament and is good in both the paddock and yard. I’m excited about a new pup as different bloodlines will be a new training experience. I might even go through the rigours of training for Casterton with it.”
Jackie, a self-employed graphic artist and painter, began learning how to train dogs on stock about five years ago at a working dog school, just for fun, and was immediately hooked.
“When you’re working a dog you are very much focused and in the moment, making it a fantastic break from work or what ever else is going on in your life. Each dog is different so figuring out how to get the best out of them is a great challenge, and making work a joy for them is a great goal to have. You don’t just train the dog, you train yourself as a trainer.”
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