Working Trait Evaluation

Dog's name: Rimrock Lone Firelight
                      of Shepherd's Way (aka "Lucas")
< Link to Pedigree ~ reg. with ESCR, UKC>
Owned by: Carol Greet

Background:
Lucas is a sable/ white male, born April 2006, evaluated August 2007 (14 mos). He lives on a 5000 acre cattle ranch in Wyoming, where he has had exposure to open range gathers, long and short trail drives, corral work, and close work during chores.

Lucas has shown excellent drive and resilience in working stock. Beyond that, his personality makes him one of a kind. He is confident, friendly and outgoing, loves young children, and is a natural ambassador for the breed.

Summary of Lucas' Working Traits:

Keenness/ Drive -- works readily when needed
Style -- natural driving dog
Power -- livestock generally respect Lucas

Stock Ethic -- maintains control without causing undue stress in stock
Work Ethic -- stays with job, maintains focus; due to an injury, Lucas's stamina is reduced, but his
        desire to work is such that he never wants to be left behind!

Biddability -- very responsive to guidance, control (altho when things are moving very fast, you may
        need to work harder to get his attention!)
Approach -- moderately wide, but adjusts as needed
"Eye" -- loose (upright, free-moving, less intense focus)
Bark -- force barks if needed to move stubborn stock
Bite -- bites heels or noses, when needed, adjusts intensity to suit situation

Primary orientation -- livestock come second to his owner
Territoriality -- respects boundaries
Patrol -- patrols occasionally
Warning -- barks to warn of unusual situations
Defense of property -- fairly mild in defense of property
Defense of people -- diligent, always ready to "watch your back"
Tracking ability -- moderate
Predators -- drives off predators
Attitude towards newborns -- appropriately gentle with young animals
Pest control -- coons & skunks no longer come in the yard, and deer have stopped eating the garden...

Structure and Movement: Lucas has an average build and a low maintenance coat. As a pup, his structure and conformation were excellent, and he displayed smooth effortless movement and exceptional climbing ability. Unfortunately, Lucas was run over by a truck at 7 months, and has not fully recovered from the injuries suffered then. He is still moderately fast, but his agility and jumping ability are now limited due to nerve damage.

Temperament: The injuries that have impaired Lucas's physical performance have had no impact on his spirit. He is consistently confident, sociable, and patient with people; devoted and affectionate with his family, steady and responsive to direction. He loves life, and people, and work.