Barney

Given that our two dogs - Barney and Pebbles - are a pretty major part of our lives I thought it might be a good idea to write a post about each one to introduce them. Barney is our first ever dog and is a bi-black Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie). This is a very rare colour for a Sheltie and we get a lot of comments at agility shows about how unusual he is.

We picked Barney up as an 8 week old puppy from the north of England and to say he won our hearts over as soon as we saw him would be an understatement. It was love at first sight and that has never changed in the 4 years he has been with us.

He was the runt of the litter and very small when we got him but he grew pretty quickly and it was not long before the puppy was gone and the long legs and long tail emerged as he grew. An how can forget those ears. They were folded down like a Sheltie's ears should be and then one day they sprung up and have been like fox ears ever since!

We still laugh now that at the time we thought he was the most gorgeous dog to look at and very handsome. But as we look back at the photos we now think he looked like an alien! Long legs, long tail and bat ears!!

He has, however, grown into a very handsome dog. We get a lot of people who stop to say what a good looking dog he is. And as proud parents who are we to argue!


Since he was small he has always been the most loving dog, constantly wanting to be by your side. He is quite a worrier and likes to make sure you are always nearby. But he has always been very bright and active. He loves his walks and loves agility and just loves being with you.

In the winter months Barney enjoys his walks and agility training and the odd indoor agility show. In the summer months from April to September he loves to spend his weekends away in the caravan at agility shows. Barney is pretty successful at agility and has not failed to come home without winning many rosettes at each show. This will get harder now as he moves up the grades. He is now a grade 5, out of 7.





It was not long until we got the bug for Sheltie's and after a year of just Barney along came his little sister Pebbles and life was never to be the same again! I will post a blog about her later!!