A Tribute to
My "Pawsome Partners"
I am fortunate enough through my grandparents Norman and Carolyn Herbel, my Aunt and Uncle Max and Carmen Spears, and my parents Kent and Lori Herbel to be able to experience almost every facet of dog sports imaginable, challenging myself every step of the way. I achieved many goals, but not without the help of my furry friends. This page is dedicated to those special canines who helped me along the way.
"Lucky" Smooth Fox Terrier
For my first experience in Obedience I chose to partner with a Smooth Fox Terrier name "Lucky" who hadn't the slightest interest in "obedience", not unlike most terriers. We may not have won, but I learned a lot of patience, and maybe even some humility!
"Yanni" Lhasa Apso
Once I began showing in Junior Showmanship, I paired up with a Lhasa Apso named "Yanni". It didn't matter to me that maybe I should pick a breed with less grooming (as my family was very clear that if I showed I groomed it.) or that anytime I would win, I could hear murmurings of "There's no way SHE groomed that dog." All that mattered was "Yanni and I were having fun, we even went on to win at the very large San Antonio show from a novice class!
"Dana" German Shepherd
I also set my sights on showing a German Shepherd named "Dana" in Junior Showmanship, even though my family tried to gently let me know that showing a dog that is taller than you might not be the easiest choice. "Dana" and I turned out to be a great partnership, winning more than a few ribbons together.
"Hidee" Australian Cattle Dog
Next, I set my sights on a nationwide Junior showmanship competition where the top prize was a desktop computer. I was told not to get my hopes up too high, after all there was many competitors and it was held in Oklahoma in the middle of August in a building with no air conditioning. The competition would be grueling and I had decided to show my Australian Cattle Dog "Hidee", who wasn't the flashiest, "notice me" dog. However, "Hidee" and I went on to win that computer, she performed perfectly for me.
Doc Lhasa Apso
Another dog that I was fortunate enough to learn from was a Lhasa Apso named "Doc". We travelled all over the country and even into Canada to finish his Canadian Championship. He was a very sweet dog who loved kids and was an excellent partner in the show ring. He was a quirky dog (as Lhasas are known to be) and had quite a dislike of one particular breed of dog. If we were ever in the same show ring as a poodle, he was a lot to handle!
Skeet Border Collie
Then came the time I decided to take my father's prized herding Border Collie "Skeet" and show him in the conformation ring. Once again, I was confronted with doubts about putting a conformation championship on a dog that was bred for performance work. For those of you who may not know, in many breeds, this would be like taking, let's say, a cross country runner and entering them in a beauty pageant. Not to say this cannot happen but we all know there aren't many crossovers in those areas! "Skeet" and I went on to finish his championship in 6 days of showing!
Stitch Border Collie
My next harebrained idea was to travel 5 hours the day after my senior prom to compete in a herding trial with another very special dog, a Border Collie named "Stitch". We arrived, maybe a little tired, but managed to achieve a "PT" Herding Title! She was a very talented dog who proved herself in conformation, obedience, agility, herding, and a lovely retirement to "farm dog".
Guido Papillon
While in high school, my sister decided to get a lap dog and picked out a Papillon named "Guido". Since my sister was more involved in the herding arena, I showed "Guido" in conformation to a very quick Championship. "Guido" taught me a lot about the difference in training a little dog (namely this: the smaller the dog, the bigger the ego!)
Bronson German Shepherd
The next four-legger to influence my life was a German Shepherd named Bronson. I never competed in anything with Bronson but in some ways learned the most from him. He came to me because he had one ear that never came up all the way, which is not allowed in the show ring. He was the sweetest, most kind natured dog I have ever owned and loved nothing more than being with his person. I know I will never own another dog quite like him and still miss him every day.
Cena Mix
In college I lived outside of town on a pretty quiet road. One day on my way home from work I was cruising down the gravel road when out of the corner of my eye I swore I had seen a little puppy sitting beside the road. Convinced I was crazy, I turned around and went back. Sure enough, sitting very quietly by the side of the road was a small red puppy. I talked to it as I approached, knowing it must be terrified, but it didn't move or make a sound. When I was close enough to touch it, I reached down and scooped it up in my arms and it whined quietly. Growing up in the country it wasn't hard for me to figure out someone had "dumped" her because they didn't want a puppy anymore. That was in 2006 and I couldn't imagine my life without Cena, she is one of the most loving dogs I have ever known. Although she has her flaws she has taught me a lot about working with dogs that have dog aggression issues.
Tru Cardigan Welsh Corgi
After college, I partnered with a Cardigan Welsh Corgi named "Tru". I knew I wanted another corgi and reached out to a breeder I have known my whole life. I told her I was looking for a brindle, male Cardigan. Knowing me very well, she said "Oh, I have JUST the perfect puppy for you!" and proceeded to send me a picture of a red and white female! Boy am I glad I trusted her expertise, Tru has truly (no pun intended) become the definition of a heart dog to me. She has been the most amazing family dog for my kids to grow up with and has earned titles in Good citizenship, rally, obedience, and scent work! As a puppy she spent a couple of years with me running obedience classes at a local pet supply store where we saw many puppies graduate from our classes as good citizens! "Tru" became better known than me at our store! There were days employees would smile and cheerily say "Hi Tru" when they saw her walk in the door and forget to address me at all!
Ziva German Shepherd
Ziva was found as a stray in Topeka and never claimed, she was then placed in a foster home where it wasn't working out either. I happened upon her at Saving Death Row Dogs' Carnival in May and fell in love instantly. When I first brought her home, she had SEVERE separation anxiety, crate anxiety, and escapism. It was a long road to get her over those anxieties but one that was well worth it. She is not quite ready for "demo dog" work ( she won't let me leave her side to help the other dogs in my class) but we are on that journey now. She is a wonderful event dog so keep an eye out for her at our booths around town! For more info on Ziva's story, check out my blog entries, Ziva: a German Shepherd's Story Part One and Part Two
Dory Cardigan Welsh Corgi
In 2017, I reached out to Tru's breeder telling her I would be ready for another Cardigan in a couple of years. I wanted to wait until my kids had started school so I could devote a bit more time to raising a puppy. Especially since I would be asking for a sport dog prospect with more drive this time around! I shared my thoughts with Sherri and once again she said, "Oh I have THE puppy for you!" The problem was, that wasn't the plan. She sent me a picture of the puppy she had been calling "Dory" and the rest is history. Dory's breeder lives in a suburb of Houston Texas and she named the litter with a water theme because these puppies were only about 4 weeks old when Category 4 Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and flooded her home. When it came time to come up with her official registered name, Sherri suggested: XIV Karat Water You Waiting For. I loved the name since I almost passed on this puppy because I was "waiting for the right time" but I am so glad I didn't! Dory has without a doubt become the sport dog I was looking for already earned titles in Conformation, Rally, Obedience, Agility, scent work and herding!
Steel Border Collie
In 2020, I approached my parents (owners of XP Ranch) to ask if they could help me get a herding tested title on my Cardigan "Dory". A year later, I was bringing home my own sheep! :)
When I acquired my own flock, my dad graciously sent one of his trained dogs along with the sheep to help me manage them and learn more about the sport of herding by working a trained dog.
Steel has been all that more! Not only has he taught me innumerable lessons, he has become my main "lesson dog" for newbies to the sport. He is so patient and honest with new handlers, he really is an integral part to our herding program and has a pretty big fan club!
When I acquired my own flock, my dad graciously sent one of his trained dogs along with the sheep to help me manage them and learn more about the sport of herding by working a trained dog.
Steel has been all that more! Not only has he taught me innumerable lessons, he has become my main "lesson dog" for newbies to the sport. He is so patient and honest with new handlers, he really is an integral part to our herding program and has a pretty big fan club!
I hope you can see the common thread in these little stories which is, that I have achieved many things I set my mind to do, but not without the partnership of a special canine in my life at the time. I owe many of my accomplishments to the companionship and loyalty of four legged sidekicks along the way.
And that is why I train dogs, because I want everyone who owns a dog to realize what a joy they can be in your life if we learn to successfully communicate with them.
And that is why I train dogs, because I want everyone who owns a dog to realize what a joy they can be in your life if we learn to successfully communicate with them.