Downriver Striker
Striker was born June 1, 2003 – Sprite’s 2nd litter that I bred hoping to choose a pup to work at Vancouver International Airport as a bird dog. I kept two pups to grow up and hopefully choose one, and the plan was to sell the other – but that didn’t happen. I did choose Traveller to go to work at YVR, but the pup that didn’t go to bird dog work just stayed here at Downriver Farm and became our main farm dog working stock and doing chores. She was the best working cow dog that I’ve ever worked with! She loved working cows and could take charge of any cow without too much concern. She was great for dog breaking new stock and became valuable preparing rented cattle for herding trials at many venues. She chose to retire from stock work at 9 years of age – but today in 2019 (16 ½ years of age) she still runs the household and loves to play chase me out in our front fields with all of the other dogs.
Striker’s parents both come from great working lines:
Dam: Del’mar Sprite CABC 134744, owned, loved, and handled by Lynn Leach. Sprite is a ‘Wisp’ granddaughter, and her dad is the famous Del’mar Jim, an imported, incredible sheep and cow dog.
Sire: Caldonian Mac CABC 1300, owned, loved, and handled by Lee Lumb. Mac’s sire is Stuart Davidson’s “Whiterose Kep” ISDS 228380, 1999 Scottish National Champion & his dam is “Meg” ISDS 234865 (bred by G. Denman in Scotland).
Striker is one of two border collie pups in this litter that stayed here at Downriver. The border collie pups were assessed for the bird dog program at Vancouver International Airport, and Striker was chosen to stay here and concentrate on stock work.
In 2005, this border collie began competing at the Pro/Novice level on both sheep and cattle. She loves to work cattle, and her enthusiasm would get her in trouble at times; but as she matures, she is wonderful to watch and a lot of fun to work with. She has prick ears, and is very stylish while working.
Striker assisted her mom Sprite during training clinics, stock handling at trials and teaching beginner handlers about stock dog work.
She also loves working birds. She was an invaluable training partner, while training the handlers at YVR, and acting as a spare for the full time airport bird dogs.
