Stahl's Border Collies Tennessee

The Trueloves and Daisy
Daisy is growing fast. She and our other dogs are big buddies. She especially likes to play with the standard schnauzer at night in front of the family watching TV. Rachel loves her very much, and is trying to get her to sleep in her room at night. So far, Daisy prefers to sleep on the sofa in the room with the other dogs. She is a very sweet dog, always wanting to lick anyone who will pay attention to her. Rachel has been very excited about training Daisy. She can do sit and down without a problem and is getting close to roll over. Daisy enjoys playing hide and seek with the kids.

Congratulations on Zeus’ Mach I and Lucy’s Mach II. You all have been really busy! The new puppies are precious. Of course I wanted Tee and Tara with their mismatched eyes! Same mom and dad as KupKake’s. My husband threatened to leave. And KupKake is so jealous. She’s my baby girl. Sleeps with her head on my feet at night. We are all only supposed to pay attention to her. She has filled out into an adult dog and isn’t so skinny any more but she still acts like a puppy – constant activity. I walk about 4 miles a day with her and Koko. She runs, jumps and rolls much of the way. Love’s to lay in wait for squirrels and sneak up on them. Has caught two so far! Fast little dog! Benny and Judy Hyatt

We started Lance in his first agility class tonight. It was amazing to see how he took to it.... you could tell that he had found his calling. Where as obedience class was boring to him, he was really into this. I'm going to set up some basic jumps and ramps, etc. in the back yard to get him a head start. We are taking him to the Dog Training Club of St. Petersburg. They have a nice indoor (air conditioned) facility not far from us. Take care.... good luck to Lucy and Zeus and the whole gang......Greg and Karen

Hi Gretchen, I just wanted to send a little note to tell you how well Rory is doing. He is such a love and I am really enjoying him. He is fitting in well here. His days are filled with chasing ball with the other BC's, playing in the sprinkler (or the kiddy pool), and wrestling with the JRT puppies. I took him to the farm where I practice herding this week and he got his first look at ducks and sheep. He seemed to be quite interested so he'll start lessons next Tuesday. I'll send you some pictures of him but I'll need to take some new ones. Thanks again for such a great pup! Peggy Miller Red Branch Farm Clarence, NY

I just wanted to let you know that we have recently moved to Florida and just started working with the local Flyball club and Riley is doing great! He showed such natural skill and ability that he was allowed to join the team practice after only two lessons. He really loves to jump and combining that with a tennis ball is about as wonderful a thing as he can think of, lol. I’m hoping to start some competitions in the next 6 months or so. Take care, Caren

Again I wanted to thank you, Sinbad has become one of the family. Bob Justus

I just wanted to give you a little update and let you know that Rocket has a really good home. He is friends with the split face cat Charlie, and every weekend he gets to visit my mom's collie Macie. He is so much fun, my husband and I love him very much. He goes to puppy preschool on Wednesdays and is awesome. Our main concern is to get him to jump when we want him too, because he is a springboard on four legs. I'm just worried he might injure himself before his bones are fully grown. He listens very well and has been house broken since almost they day we brought him home. I play ball with him every day and he fetches and brings the ball back and releases it. We are working with leash training and that's going a little slow, because he wants to run all the time. I love the high energy he brings into my home. Katie and Thor Erikson

I just wanted to thank you for letting me fall in love with one of your puppies. Her name is now Foudy and I believe she was from Lefty's litter about 2 years ago this week, on the 6th of August, actually. Anyway, I don't want to take up too much of your time...just wanted you to know you've done amazing things with Border Collies and I'm attached to the breed for life!! It's all your fault!! Thank you again!! Darbi

I just thought I would send you a few pictures of Tabitha “Tabi” as she has been a great gift to me. My wife bought her from you several years ago and you shipped her here to Boise, ID. Ever since there has not been one minute of rest….LOL. She has more energy than my first border collie by far and that is probably due to breeding. Take care, Mark Eberly

I just thought I would drop you a note on my "adoptee", Daisy (now Maggie). She's going on 9 months old now and doing great! I want to thank you for making her available to me. She has been a terrific replacement for my border collie, Bowi ,who passed on a year ago today. She is my workout buddy and keeps me amused every day. She is an affectionate and lovable little buddy. My only problem is keeping track of all her balls. You advertise that your puppies are held every day. I'm a believer because my pup sure is used to it! Thanks again. Jack Kaveny

I thought it was time for an update and picture! I can’t believe it has been a year since we got Zoë! She is a wonderful dog! She has the sweetest personality and is very affectionate! She loves playing Frisbee or playing ball. We had to suspend agility lessons due to the 3 boys’ schedules but I still work with her at home on our equipment. We were able to get her out on the tube the last time we went to the lake, I think she enjoyed herself. We can’t thank you enough for a wonderful pet and companion! She is much loved and adored! Thanks again, Karen McGough

I just wanted to let you know that Sydney (Rebecca) is doing well. The trip was long but we arrive in one piece and are settling in nicely…well other than the expected puppy antics. We’ve learned to “come”, “sit” and “down” so far and working on “look” and “stay” next. We also need to get busy on some lead training. We’ll be attending some socializing classes in a couple of weeks, so that should be fun.
That’s it for now! Thanks, Bill & Sydney

Hi Gretchen, I'm sending you this pic I took today of Skye, flying over her jumps. She is such a beautiful, awesome dog. I still have hopes of showing her, just waiting for her to fill out some. She really is a awesome little girl. Kelly

Hi Gretchen, First I would like to thank you for all you did to get me a Red Border Collie puppy. (Rachael) now Dollar. With the accident and death of puppy Spice Which I had bought from you last Sept 8 you replaced with what you had. I did not know the problem as I was traveling 11 hours to pick up the puppy. You did not let me travel to the airport to find I had nothing to pick up. I had at the airport (Suzy-Q) now Tilli. I do love Tilli. and she is very good with my handicapped daughter. You did all that anyone could do. I now have 2 puppies. They live a ranch life. A pleasure to do business with you. Your internet customers can buy with confidence. Will keep in touch over the years. Thank You, Cindy Jacobsen, Canada

Kevin Myers and Kazie, a Lefty and Zeus pup. Novice Jumpers Title May 2008

Riley
owned and handled by Caren Salisbury
Riley has his NAJ, NA and NF titles.
Parents are Leftie and Zeus

Hello Gretchen! We recently purchased Trooper from you over Thanksgiving. His name is now Rudy after Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Do you think my 5 year old had anything to do with that? Anyway, I just wanted to give you an update. He is doing great. Rudy can now sit, shake, come, fetch, he understands “no”, he is housebroken (minus an accident here and there, which are the human’s fault), and goes both “peepee” and “poop” on command. He has established two favorite spots in the house (neither of which are his kennel J) He loves the bathroom floor and ht top of our couch. He is growing exponentially. He is now over 15 pounds and gets bigger literally every day. I tested him out on a run this week and he kept up without even panting for 2 miles. We tried him on a leashed walk first, and he had trouble with the collar, so I got a harness and he does beautifully. He is going to be an excellent running companion. We plan to begin Frisbee training this spring.

Every story has a downside. We have been working on the insatiable desire to chew on EVERYTHING. We have chewies all over the house, which he uses, but they are no supplement for shoes, socks, legs (yes, of people), rugs, and paper. We have to keep everything off the floor. We have also been having some issues with dominance, which I fully expected. We had to teach Logan how to be the “Leader of the Pack”, and since, things have improved. I’m hoping that some of this is just puppy syndrome, but Rudy has bitten Logan’s legs more than once. If you have any other suggestions on how to remedy this, we would be very grateful for the advice.

I have never attached to a puppy this quickly before. Rudy is the joy in our home and his energy keeps us on our toes. My anti-dog husband even adores Rudy, so this speaks volumes to the puppy’s character. He is the best thing that has happened to our family since Logan. Thank you so much for everything.

Jeremy, Tiffany, Logan, and Rudy Plank

Hi Gretchen, The pups are doing great. Tilli is now 19 months. old. Has had some formal training on sheep. Tilli is such a joy, wants to please, and is boss. Dollar has good listening manners and will go to school on sheep early Spring 2009. Dollar is more laid back and has been slow around stock. She uses a bark to move cattle as she is still unsure of her self. They are with me 24/7 and go everywhere with Reta and I.
Thank You for such a great pair. Cindy Jacobsen February 2009

Hi Gretchen. We love our dogs Mindy & Marty (was Jake) They are doing great! We are putting them in training this week and then agility training after that (especially Mindy) she is going to be a champion. Marty will probably do flyball , he seems like he likes the ball better. They are already 20 pounds and are really healthy. They already can do most of the commands. Still a accident in the house if we are not watching them. They are so smart and I think they are testing us. We have a lot to learn. Thank you for such wonderful dogs. Mel and Maureen Curry

Have I told you lately how much I LOVE Rocket (Jake as my daughter named him.) I was SO skeptical about a Border Collie with all the hype about how much exercise they need and how busy they are and how they could not be happy without a job..... Well, Jumping Jake the Rocket does get exercise, 30-40 minute walk through fields and woods every morning, and we do throw the ball for him 2-3 times a day for 10-20 tosses each time (or else he carries the ball around the house, drops it rolling toward us with that please look in his eyes), but he is absolutely the sweetest, most endearing dog we have ever had. Right now we have 5, and he is tops on the list of sweet, fun, and lovable. He is so smart and trainable, I just can't believe him. We have done the basic sit/down/stay stuff at home, and we plan to start obedience and agility with him in the fall. We believe he will excel at all. I will talk with anyone you would like me to about your Border Collies and what to expect. Jake/Rocket is the son of Reba and Zeus born Nov. '07, so he is not yet 1 year old. He has never been destructive, but instead, carries my daughters stuffed animals around as if they are his to care for. He is awesome and I love him more everyday. We all do, and the other dogs that he harasses the most (herding them out the door etc.) love him too. He is just special. Thanks for breeding such wonderful Border Collies. Karen Kirkman

Hi Gretchen! I just wanted to update you on our happiest family member. We adopted Rudy (Trooper), son of Bo and Trixie, in November of 2008. He is now 9 months old and is the sweetest dog on the planet. His markings and striking blue eyes are so stunning that we get stopped regularly while out in public to be asked what breed he is and where we got him. We are a very busy family, but Rudy just happily tags along with whatever we do. He loves to get in the van to go on his next adventure! His sweet nature draws strangers to him like a magnet and he has not once shown any sign of fear or aggression toward strangers, dogs, or cats. In fact, he is quite social and will greet anyone with licks and loves. He adores all children since they give him loves and pets. My son Logan and Rudy are truly best friends. They love to run around together and take turns chasing each other while playing hide and seek. Rudy loves to play fetch and has grown attached to his Frisbee. He is also a great running companion, as our family runs together at least once a week. I heard that Border Collies are quite territorial and protective, but Rudy has not even growled at anything other than a bird. Since his best friend is a 5 year old, he has endured tail pulls, being sat on, having his ears pulled on, tongue pulls, punches etc., and only pants and licks in response. He even makes a soft, furry pillow while we watch movies.

I cannot express with words the intelligence of this dog. At 9 months, he has completely grown past all of his puppy indiscretions. He has a working vocabulary of about 25 words including all of the basic commands and he will potty and poop on command. He even sings with us! Since he is a family pet and not a working dog, we have successfully taught him that herding is not his calling. He now prefers chasing Frisbees and chewing on raw hide. Also, this dog NEVER stinks! His natural smell is pleasant and his breath smells like nothing at all. He will be covered in mud from playing outside and will have his white fur and paws immaculate within an hour with no funky dog smell at all. We bath him maybe once a month and this is saying a ton since he lives indoors with us and I am very picky about my home. He sheds very little, his coat requires almost no maintenance, and his fur just shines and glistens like silk. I think that Bo and Trixie are a perfect DNA match.

I’m sorry this letter has been so long, but I just can’t say enough about Rudy. He is the most wonderful companion and has doused all of my fears of adopting a high-energy dog. He has proven to be the best of both worlds and I am so grateful that our prayers have been answered in our furry family member. Thank you so much for breeding such wonderful pups! Sincerely, Jeremy, Tiffany, Logan and Rudy Plank

Just wanted to let you know that Stephon is doing great! My sister just adores him. She sends me new pictures almost everyday on her phone of him doing this or that lol. Her fiancé set the "no dog on the furniture rule" but I have a pic of him sleeping on the couch with Stephon on his chest.
He is a little pistol too and has been barking at my sister when she attempts to discipline him. She laughs because my border collie, Cash, is the complete opposite. If you look at him wrong he melts into a little puddle, but not Stephon! He'll do great with the goats and cattle when he's old enough I bet. He's already trying to herd the ducks!
We're trying to think of a name for him, but nothing so far fits him. He's got such a big personality, he needs the right name. I wanted to thank you for helping us at the last minute. My sister couldn't be happier. She has wanted a red and white for so long and it has been so tough without Swift around. She was a heck of a dog and was still tangling with the 200+lb goat 3 days before she died. Not bad for 14 years old. We miss her dearly and I knew it would take a lot of dog to fill her shoes. I think Stephon is filling that role better than I had hoped. Thanks again, Kelly

Wow time's going by so fast. Seems like just recently we brought little Kurt home from the airport. (Pro now) He's an awesome dog, that's for sure. He's showing extreme interest in the sport of agility that's for sure. He's a loud one but a very nice boy to be around. He has the ability to change the mood in the room from very intense to get everyone laughing. I don't think I've met a dog with a better personality. Everyone in the house just adores him, and he's got great work ethic. I'd like to thank you so much for an awesome dog, here's just a quick update and I've attached some pictures of him with the other dogs. Thanks again Gretchen for a great little boy that will hopefully live up to what his daddy has achieved. Morgan Hanson

Gretchen, Here is a photo of Spice Girl at her graduation from the AKC Star Puppy Obedience. She passed with flying colors, at just 16 wks.

She is such a sweetheart, and brings so much joy to me. Thank you for raising such a beautiful girl. Bunny B.