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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend September 13, 2004 Through a series of whistles and verbal commands, Tim Wheeler of British Columbia controls cow dog Bill, an 11-year-old border collie, into herding cows and steers. The cow dog trials were held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Box R Ranch near Greensprings Mail Tribune / Andrew Mariman Cow dogs vie for top honors The Oregon Championship Cow Dog Trials were held at Box R Ranch near Greensprings By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune GREENSPRINGS — At 11 years old, Bill should be well past his prime. But the border collie proved Sunday that a good cow dog won’t be put out to pasture. Bill’s technique and tenacity wowed spectators and his owner, 47-year-old Tim Wheeler, of Vanderhoof, British Columbia, at the Oregon Championship Cow Dog Trials held at Box R Ranch. After three days of grueling competition, the border took away top honors in this doggie decathlon. "He surprised me," Wheeler said as Bill gulped air following the weekend’s final test of cow dog skill and endurance. Obediently trotting next to Wheeler, who uses no leash, Bill set his legs like a sprinter for the start. On Wheeler’s command, Bill took off for the cows, galloping over hummocks of pasture until he was just a speck in the distance. Advertisement The bovines barely noticed the black-and-white flash as Bill circled in behind them. But at the dog’s first nip, they surged into a trot. Only Wheeler’s whistle — heard from hundreds of yards away — told Bill how to maneuver the tricky course, harrying the cows along in front of him. Navigating two shiny steel gates and a cattle chute in less than 13 minutes, Bill penned the bewildered cows, trotted off the field and flopped his mud-drenched belly into a shallow stream. Bill’s performance earned the audience’s applause and accolades from Wheeler’s colleagues. But the dog neither expected nor received a pat on the head or a tasty treat. He’s a working dog, after all, and will keep on chasing cows whenever he’s asked. "You want to punish ’em, you tell ’em they can’t work 12 hours the next day," said event organizer Kathy Rose. Bill’s weekend of cattle driving earned Wheeler a $5,000 cash prize. "The American money makes it more inviting," Wheeler said, adding that the Canadian exchange rate will boost his take. In its second year at Box R, the cow dog trials drew 40 dogs — mostly border collies, Kelpies and Australian shepherds — and their handlers, an estimated 2,500 spectators and even the next generation of hopefuls. Four-month-old Mahu and Tehya tried their paws Sunday at the amateur obstacle course of barrels, ramps, gates and tubes. Owner Paige Farrell of Ashland claimed the Australian shepherd and border collie mix pups for free at the Willliams store. "I didn’t even know what a cow dog was until everyone said ‘Oh, that’s a cow dog,’ " Farrell said. Discovering the dogs’ bloodlines explained why they nip at their masters’ heels all the time, added Joseph Farrell. The couple owns no livestock but figures the dogs may be naturals for agility events at future competitions. And it can never hurt to rub muzzles with the pros. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s