Barclays Molly and Barclays Mick, only four months old and already showing good control and plenty of strength.

Sire Barclays Paddy Dam Barclays Tinka

15 minutes of training every other day is plenty for dogs with this much natural ability.

Check our started dogs page for a listing of a new started dog available.

After a light frost we were treated to a perfect Autumn day for our first training day of the year. After a couple of cancellations we had a smaller but just as keen group.

Dogs from 4months of age all had a go at the sheep with Jamie passing on tips ranging from how to settle your dog so it can learn to getting a dog who previously wouldn't back to back properly. Tips on how to get correct distance on stock and assessment as to whether a dog was more paddock or yard were all covered as well as many other things.

After a full morning of training and lots of talking, lunch was served and we all ate far too much roast lamb, potatoes and chocolate cake. The afternoon was spent recapping and getting out of the yards and into the paddocks for some hands on practice of techniques covered.

With a smaller group Jamie was able to give lots of one on one with everyone and was able to really look at each dog individually getting some great results. With this in mind our next training day will be limited to ten people only and we are looking at holding it in about eight weeks time so end of June early July. We will hopefully have the pot belly stove in the shed by then so it will be nice and cosy.

We will keep you posted on the date for the next day and want to thank everyone who attended today, I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Wishing everyone a safe Anzac Day long weekend and lest we forget.

Kate

After a very busy couple of months with new arrivals, new equipment and a new shop opening we have finally got around to setting a firm date for the working dog school.

Spaces are limited so that everyone gets the most out of the day as possible.

The cost for the day is $150 per person. This includes tuition morning tea and a hot lunch. For those of you who have purchased a pup or dog from us you are able to redeem our offer of free tuition at this workshop so there will be no extra charge for you.

Both you and your dogs are welcome and we are happy to provide you with directions and accommodation choices if needed.

Canowindra is looking great at the moment and we have some great pubs, motels and B & Bs. Check out oldvicinn.com.au or fallswines.com, The Royal Hotel also offers rooms at a reasonable rate and a great bistro with a steak and prawn challenge to sort anyone out! For motel style accommodation we can recommend Riverview motel and the caravan park is a great spot, very clean and just on the river. If you need accommodation for your dogs we can sort something out for you here.

You will also be able to see Peg's litter just born 3 days ago, they should be up and running by the training day, all 7 of them.

If you would like to register for the training day either email jamie at jamie@barclayskelpies.com or on his mobile 0448 535 743 or AH 02 6344 1117

See you there

For some reason the slide show didn't upload. If you visit our youtube channel or follow the link below you can see the slide show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7qj4N9q0i8

Kate and Jamie

We have put together a slideshow to show our up and coming dogs.

These photos were taken during a training session and the average age of the dogs is around 6 mnths of age.

The dogs shown are being retained at the stud to carry on the bloodlines. They have all started working and show excellent natural instinct as well as being easy to train and have excellent natures around the family.

We are also looking forward to another litter from Barclays Jenna X Capree Doohan. Orders are being taken now as this joining has been successful in the past with some outstanding dogs as a result.

Barclays Peg has been joined to Barclays Boss. This combination will produce true allround types full of grunt and strength.

Barclays Panda and Midgbar Harry have also been joined, again another mix of intelligence, strength and versatility. Harry is a proven sire who was joined previously to Panda's mother producing excellent litters.

We are also expecting the last litter sired by Midgbar Moss who is being retired. The dam is Roundhill Meg owned by Dave Abbott. Meg is an extremely forceful black and tan bitch with a great nature that will blend really well with Moss' outstanding nature and ability. Moss is now around the 13 year mark and after a long and loyal career is finally getting a well earned rest on the back verandah.

Another joining is Barclays Thred, one of Jamie's favourite workers suitable for all types of situations. She has been joined to Midgbar Butch. Butch is well known for loads of guts and strength on all types of stock. A never say die attitude with a big wide cast to match. This a repeat joining due to the number of special orders for this mix of bloodline. Orders are already being taken. These pups will be suited to people wanting real grunt!

We will keep you posted when the pups are born.

Training Day News

Finally we have set a date for the next training day. The Sunday of the Anzac Day long weekend. We will post further details soon. If you would like more info in the meantime please call Jamie on 0448 535 743.

Thats all for now. Enjoy the slide show.

Jamie and Kate

2009 has been a very big year for us and the dogs. We have moved, started a new business and are now setting up the block to be able to host more training days and break in more dogs.

We are in the middle of the busiest part of the year and despite the heat and dust the dogs are all going really well, showing that Kelpie grit and stamina we all know and love.

As I write Jamie is setting up our new sheep yards which we will use for our own sheep but more importantly as part of our training program. We have a full set up with Race and Draft right next door to paddocks large enough to practice all the elements that make a true all-round type.

Our focus next year will be to host more training days. We had hoped to put one together before the end of the year but the heat and holiday silly season got the better of us. But now we have the facilities, we are putting together a more comprehensive program that will suit all levels of ability and hopefully have them more regularly throughout the year. Luckily for us, Canowindra is a great location with plenty of accommodation and dining options so it is a good excuse for a weekend away in the country.

The last of our pups leaves us next week, off to a great family in Queensland. The dogs have gone far and wide this year with a lot of interest from overseas and from all states here at home. Dogtainers have looked after us really well and we would like to thank them for all their help along with Dogmovers and our local stock carriers.

Last but not least a big thank you to Barbara and everyone at the Working Kelpie Council, they have been supportive as always and are tireless volunteers with a huge job they undertake without complaint. How they keep track of all the registrations is a huge feat.

My New Years Resolution is to update the website more often, take more photos and video, nag Jamie for more training days and learn to work a dog myself.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and thank you for all your support throughout 2009 and a drought free 2010!

Jamie, Kate and the Kelpies

Salty's mum is Barclays Meg who very kindly worked for the townie wife and gave her a taste of what it is like to work a dog and have the satisfaction of bringing sheep in. As a result Salty is my girl who I hope to work with and one day graduate as nearly farm credible (me that is she has it down pat). She will also stay on at the stud and produce more great workers who will tolerate those of us who are a bit rurally challenged.

Enjoy your Sunday, we are off to train some more dogs and I am working on getting Jamie to set a date for our next training day before it gets too hot. Our local pub has started prawn and beer Thursdays and I think a hard day's dog training deserves a treat at the end!

Kate

Our contracting business (Barclay Livestock Management Services )is taking off and the jobs are lining up thick and fast. Our next challenge is finding reliable, hardworking casual and full time staff. If you or someone you know wants to work for us we have a few vacancies.

You will need to have the following:

Be physically fit. Enthusiasm and iniative. Honesty. Stock knowledge and ability (especially sheep) You MUST be reliable and prepared to give 100%. Own good dogs with no bad habits. (We know where you can get one if you need one) Be able to ride a motorbike and have a current driver's licence. Be willing to learn as we cover all aspects of farming and livestock handling. Able to crutch or basic shearing skills would be an advantage. Be willing to travel - we cover where ever the work needs to be done in NSW, mainly but not limited to the Central West and Southern Tablelands districts. We prefer for your health and ours that you be a non smoker but if you are, smoking is only permitted on tea and lunch breaks.

You will be paid the award rate and there is the opportunity for above award payment if you work hard and are looking for a long term employment committment.

We work hard but are fair and generous to the right applicant.

This is a great job for someone looking to stay in the rural sector and enjoy a varied role.

Some of your tasks will be to do with:

Crutching Rousetabout work Shearing Lamb marking Fencing Mustering Drenching Mobile Plunge Dip

We operate out of Canowindra so this would suit applicants living in the Cowra, Orange, Molong etc areas.

If you are interested or know of anyone either give Jamie a call on 0448 535 743 or try after hours on 6344 1117

We have almost unpacked the last box and are pretty much settled on our new block. The dogs have been shifted around a few times, looking for the perfect spot and are now enjoying their new home.

We are now located just out of Canowindra in the Central West of NSW between Cowra and Orange. The dogs are kept busy with training and everyday farm use with our contracting business which is coming into the busiest part of the year, lambing, shearing etc.

The good news is we have a new pup on the ground "Tank" who was born by ceasarian section 10 days ago to Flea and Moss. We also have 8 pups by Moss out of Bazzers Hannah most of which are red and tan. Photos will be posted soon. Panda's pups are all doing well and are nearly all spoken for. The bad news is we lost two dogs in the last two months. Sadly Barclays Jake (Mark) was found dead in his cage. An autopsy found he had been chewing on his synthetic collar and part of that had been caught in his intestine. All of our stud dogs have hand stitched leather collars except for this one occassion. A freak accident that can be easily avoided by using a good quality leather collar.

Barclays Jim also passed away and again was another freak accident. He hit his head jumping into his cage and hit it in the wrong spot and unfortunately passed away as a result. Needless to say we are all very upset not least of all our son who had raised Jim and was looking forward to breaking him in and working with him. Just a reminder to stay vigilent and look for hidden dangers.

We are looking at holding our next training day in Sept/October and will post a date on the website for anyone interested.

All the best Jamie and Kate