Working Trait Evaluation

Dog's name: Shepherd's Way Keeva Jo of Windmill Farm
<Pedigree: in ESCR database>
Owned by: Marcia King-Brink

Background:

Keeva is a tricolor female, born in 2006 and evaluated at 3 1/2 years of age. She was raised on her owner's farm in Iowa, with daily exposure to (flighty) sheep and poultry; Keeva has worked beef cattle on several occasions as well. Keeva manages free range chickens on a daily basis, keeping them out of areas that are "off limits" for poultry and rounding them up at night. She also helps manage and move her owner's sheep flock. In addition to helping with livestock, Keeva is a dedicated hunter and uses her nose to great advantage. She eradicates vermin (squirrels, mice, raccoons, etc) on the farm and runs off stray cats -- but loves her owner's cats (who wisely share their cat food with her!).

Keeva is a fun, smart dog with a great sense of humor. Her keen intelligence and drive mean she is ever-ready to work; patience is a lesson she is working on! She loves working in partnership with her owner, and her sensitivity and awareness give her the ability to be exceptional.

Summary of Keeva's Working Traits:

Keenness/ Drive -- works readily when needed
Style -- gathering
Power -- livestock are intensely aware of and respect Keeva

Stock Ethic -- maintains control appropriately, without causing undue stress
Work Ethic -- stays with the job, maintains focus; Keeva will work independently as needed

Biddability -- very responsive to guidance & control
Approach -- moderately wide
"Eye" -- medium; focused & sometimes intense, but upright and free-moving
Bark -- works quietly
Bite -- bites only as needed, both heels and noses, adjusting force to suit situation

Orientation -- attention balanced between owner and work
Territoriality -- respects boundaries and stays at home
Patrol -- patrols territory
Warning -- barks to warn of unusual situations
Defense of property -- somewhat protective of property
Defense of people -- protects her owner, "watches your back"
Tracking ability -- will track by scent and find prey
Predators -- drives off predators
Attitude towards newborns -- neutral but fairly gentle
Pest control -- hunts rodents

Structure and Movement: Keeva is a solidly muscled dog with an average build, long tail and correct scissors bite. Her movement is smooth and effortless and she is an exceptional athlete, with excellent speed and agility, and a gravity-defying leap. Her coat is of good quality, requiring little maintenance; her hips are normal with PennHIP scores of 0.33/ 0.38.

Temperament: Keeva is confident, sociable and alert. She readily greets strangers, but then retires to watch proceedings quietly; with family and friends, she is affectionate and expressive. Keeva is moderately active, with a steady, calm personality; although very biddable, she tolerates pressure and does not quit when pushed.