Flora
ABCA / AKC Registered
Lilac and white tri, hazel eyes.
Size: About 45 lbs
OFA Official Hip Score: Too youmg / OFA Official Elbow Score: Too young
CEA: Normal (clear) / MDR1: Normal / SN: Normal
TNS: Normal / IGS: Carrier / Glaucoma: Normal / NCL: Normal
Flora is a real character! Everyone who sees her instantly falls in love with her looks, but I am impressed with her brains. I haven't done much training with her yet, but she has great drive and a pretty good amount of balance in herding our cows. She loves to play tug, frisbee, and to wrestle with Percy. She also loves water, whether it's coming out of a hose or is in a container or puddle somewhere near the house. I took her to a river once and she surprised me by jumping in, but that is the only time she has been near water where she could actually swim (since the dogs aren't allowed in our inflatable pool.) I think she could learn to dock dive, but that's not a sport I am interested in pursuing at this point in time.
Flora is a bit stand-offish with strangers, but she is possibly my most loyal dog. She could easily have been trained as a personal protection dog, I think, but that is not something I have pursued. I try to use every opportunity I can for socialization, as it is extremely important to me that my dogs be friendly. I like the idea of Flora being a one-person dog, as long as that does not cause issues with other people. She tolerates attention from strangers, but does not seek it, and I really like that about her.
Flora is in training to herd and pull in harness. She loves herding - pulling is a different matter. She's learning, but so far, her favorite command is "whoa!" When I say that, she drops in her tracks and it's up to me to put on the brakes fast enough to keep the wagon from running her over. (Not that it would hurt her; it is very lightweight.)
She is typically somewhat deliberate in her movements and relaxed in her outlook on life, but she can explode into a full run from a standstill, and she does this multiple times per day when she decides she needs to go check on the animals. She also is a powerful jumper and climber, easily hopping onto our deck from the ground, three feet or so below, without a running start, or scrambling up the trunk and branches of a sprawling oak tree.
Altogether, Flora is a wonderful dog, uniting a regal appearance with loyalty, spirit, and a heart to please me.
Flora is a bit stand-offish with strangers, but she is possibly my most loyal dog. She could easily have been trained as a personal protection dog, I think, but that is not something I have pursued. I try to use every opportunity I can for socialization, as it is extremely important to me that my dogs be friendly. I like the idea of Flora being a one-person dog, as long as that does not cause issues with other people. She tolerates attention from strangers, but does not seek it, and I really like that about her.
Flora is in training to herd and pull in harness. She loves herding - pulling is a different matter. She's learning, but so far, her favorite command is "whoa!" When I say that, she drops in her tracks and it's up to me to put on the brakes fast enough to keep the wagon from running her over. (Not that it would hurt her; it is very lightweight.)
She is typically somewhat deliberate in her movements and relaxed in her outlook on life, but she can explode into a full run from a standstill, and she does this multiple times per day when she decides she needs to go check on the animals. She also is a powerful jumper and climber, easily hopping onto our deck from the ground, three feet or so below, without a running start, or scrambling up the trunk and branches of a sprawling oak tree.
Altogether, Flora is a wonderful dog, uniting a regal appearance with loyalty, spirit, and a heart to please me.