Lignum Working Dogs

21/08/2026

Broccoli, (a Brin son) working cattle down in Australia.

06/08/2026

Agility/flyball prospect looking for new home.

Loki is 11 months old, given to me to rehome as a working dog, unfortunately he has zero ability/instinct/interest in sheep.

However he does have a strong toy drive, especially for a tug toy, and is desperate for something to do, lovely friendly boy.

Was living in a crate in a house before he came to me, and he is clean in his kennel. Has integrated into my pack with minimal issues and is easy to have around.

He does pull hard on the lead, so cani-cross could be an option, however he is very lightly built. Nervous around me to start with, settled in within a day or two (there was reports of him snapping/resource guarding at his first home but I've seen no sign of this with me.)

Have had him in the car, on the back of the quad.

He does need a collie savvy home.

Please PM for more info.

04/08/2026

23/07/2026

Day out at Nutter dogs Agility 4 All show yesterday.

Seal hadn't been since last summer. Came home with 2 firsts and a third for Seal, out of four runs with her over-exuberant enthusiasm and need for speed winning over accuracy/carefulness!

Bruno was a little green in his first run, and some slow handling from me in his 3rd class meant he fell for the judges booby-trap, but he finished second and sixth, two placings out of four is a great foundation to build on.

22/06/2026

This was my first ever lambing without Brin, who's been my right hand man for years, but at 10 years old, its been time for him to take a back seat. Tbh I was dreading it slightly especially with Mable also out on maternity. But Seal and Bruno stepped up and were outstanding, with Mavis having an introduction to moving ewes with young lambs.

"You'll never have a better dog, while you've got a good dog!"

12/06/2026

11/06/2026

All in a day's work;

SD Wren (Mable x Tweeddale Jamie) made an operational find again this week.

An incredible find up from the side of a river over rough ground and thick woodland to the base of some crags some 100m above.

Human search teams would not have found this woman.

The police are singing Wren's praises, they even went to the chippy and bought Wren a battered sausage and chips as a reward.

This is Wrens third operational find, but she has assisted in clearing areas for many others.

Well done to SD Wren and her handler Andy.

Mable has three other pups working towards their SD jackets too; Lady (Mable x Joe 2024) who is part way through her training. And two pups from the Reivers Gray 2026 litter, Star and "Maggie".

06/06/2026

“Adopt, don't shop"

has become a popular slogan, but slogans rarely tell the whole story.

The uncomfortable truth is that responsibly bred dogs are not filling rescue centres.

Ethical breeders carefully screen potential owners, provide lifelong support, health test their breeding stock, and will often take back any dog they have bred if circumstances change.

Their dogs rarely end up abandoned or unwanted.

The majority of dogs entering rescues come from irresponsible breeding practices:
backyard breeders,
puppy farms,
accidental litters,
and people breeding without regard for temperament, health, or long-term responsibility.

These dogs are often produced simply because there is demand, with little thought given to where they may end up years later.

Choosing a well-bred dog from a responsible breeder is not contributing to the rescue crisis.

In fact, supporting ethical breeding helps promote better health, stable temperaments, and accountability within the dog world.

Adoption is a fantastic option for many people, and giving a rescue dog a second chance is something to be celebrated.

But it should be a personal choice, not a moral obligation.

There is nothing wrong with seeking a responsibly bred dog that suits your lifestyle, experience, and goals.

Instead of "Adopt, don't shop," perhaps the message should be:

"Adopt or shop responsibly."

Because the real problem isn't responsible breeders, it's irresponsible ones.

Share this post if you agree 🥰

22/05/2026

Crate training is going very well, after a slightly rocky start 🫣😅

22/05/2026

WHAT IS THE STANDARD for a working sheep dog?

Not so very different from that of the working terrier.

▪️Legs? Prefer four
▪️Eyes? Prefer two, but may be willing to negotiate.
▪️Tail? It would be nice, but we are not finicky.
▪️Nose? Definitely a nice feature. Prefer on the front of the muzzle.
▪️Coat Color? Any color. It's a come-as-you-are party.
▪️Brains? Yes, please.
▪️Grit and drive? Of course.

And that's it.

After that, "the standard" is found in the field, and it's found in the work, and the judge has four legs, not two.

Four legs not two.

Most of the Kennel Club folks do not even know what that means.