Working Trait Evaluation

Dog's name: Maple Grove Farm's Boo
<Pedigree: in ESCR database>
Owned by: Kay Delk-Keziah

Background:
Boo is a sable & white female born in December 2009 and evaluated at 1 year of age. She has been raised on a farm with daily exposure to horses, sheep and ducks. She also has had some formal training at herding clinics (2) and has passed an AHBA herding capability test.

Boo is very in tune with her owner and loves doing chores daily. She balances a desire to work with a desire to please, so while very eager to go she does not "make work" for herself (or her owner)! Boo has solid herding instincts and listens well. She is also a very smart dog, so she learns from her experiences. She is petite in build and can be cautious by nature, but with experience and maturity is developing more steadiness and confidence.

Summary of Boo's Working Traits:

Keenness/ Drive -- works readily when needed
Style -- balanced, gathers and drives naturally
Power -- livestock generally respect Boo

Stock Ethic -- maintains control appropriately without causing undue stress
Work Ethic -- stays with job, maintains focus

Biddability -- very responsive to guidance and control
Approach -- moderately wide
"Eye" -- medium, upright and free-moving but with moderately intense focus
Bark -- works silently
Bite -- soft bite, seldom used, but directed at heels when needed

Orientation -- ivestock come second to owner
Territoriality -- respects boundaries, stays at home
Patrol -- patrols territory
Warning -- very alert, always barks to warn of unusual situations
Defense of property -- staunchly defends owner's property
Defense of people -- diligent protects owner
Tracking ability -- will track by scent and find prey
Predators -- drives off predators
Attitude towards newborns -- shows gentle and/or nurturing behavior
Pest control -- routinely hunts rodents

Structure and Movement:

Boo has a light, leggy build with a long tail and correct scissors bite. Her movement is smooth and effortless; she is very fast with excellent agility and average jumping ability . Her coat is low maintence and light, with minimal undercoat.

Temperament:

Boo is reserved with people outside her family and tends to worry about strangers. She is very devoted and affectionate with family, and has a fairly soft disposition. She is a gentle, busy girl, engaged with and responsive to her environment.