What is style at a Border Collie trial?

Earlier this week I read through all the USBCHA rules. I was specifically looking for the rules on Nursery age since Jude will be entering this class this year but I ended up getting sucked into reading the rulebook for all competition, and judging and so forth. 

As I was reading through the different sections of the rule book, I came across section 29 regarding style. This is how the USBCHA defines style:


SECTION 29: STYLE
Style maybe otherwise defined as a dog’s attitude to his work and his method of doing it. His attention should be on his master’s commands. Inattention, turning away from his sheep, unsteadiness or rashness all amount to poor style and should be penalized. As with command, style is included in the points allowed for each phase of the work.

Now, I always thought style was the way the dog looked when it was working stock. That is, the physical traits displayed during the application of herding methods, specifically focused on a dog's overall movement (the 'creep' or the dog's 'eye', its overall intensity, "flash," etc). I understand that USBCHA is not a beauty pageant for dogs - I know it should all come down to the quality of work (overall efficiency, sheep safety and task completion). But, this definition from the USBCHA leaves me with questions. And, in the event a winner of a big trial is being decided by one or two "style" points, I want to know!

I suppose if the dog's attitude is poor, then that will show physically on the field. For example, dog won't listen to lie down, dog loses sheep around the panel. However, I have seen some very flashy, lovely looking dogs who were not honest dogs at all on the field yet they do not seem to be dinged in "style" points. And then, I have seen some steadfast, strong, thoughtful but ugly (think Mack Truck) dogs with a positive attitude who have accomplished the same level of work on the trial field yet receive comments about them not being stylish-enough.  This, as you can see, has led to my confusion. Both dogs are getting sheep around the course but the "prettier" dog receives a higher score based on its "style."

So, what exactly is style in a border collie trial???  The USBCHA says it MAY BE defined as attitude toward the work. Is this what you see or have you understood stlye to be something different?

Snow day!

We're having quite the snow event in Western Washington today. Apparently, today's 4-5 inches is just the start of a 3-day snow-smorgasbord. Wednesday is supposed to be the heaviest snowfall, paired with high winds which means BLIZZARD (my favorite Dairy Queen treat)!

The dogs love the snow. Mattie is most in love with it though - she rolls in it, gets herself covered in snowballs then sits at the top of the yard and looks down on her domain (the neighborhood) like the ever-so-watchful sheepdog she is. Nothing gets by that dog. Scott sometimes enjoys chasing Mattie in the snow but usually he plods around, does his business, then hustles back into the house. I think he had his fair share of working in the cold and snow up in Canada as a youngster. In retirement now, he prefers working his chicken flock and retiring each night to his warm dog bed and big screen TV.

I went to visit my parents yesterday and Lucky is doing well. He pretty much runs the place now and has ultimate domain over their sofa and lounge chairs.  He also enjoys an even bigger big screen TV than what Scott has.

Today is Josie's 3-month birthday. My baby is no longer classified as a "new born" (insert frowny face here :-( ).  She is officially an infant now and on her way to "toddler" soon I think. If she is anything like her cousin Nathan, she'll be walking around in just 5-6 more months! I'm not ready for that. 

As one would expect, being my daughter, Josie has an extensive wardrobe of clothes, shoes and hats - a little something for every occasion. So, with the snow means it's snow-suit time. Today, Josie opted for an asymmetrical button-up footed and mittened and hooded velour suit in light pink. She looks so cute in this! Tomorrow perhaps we'll break out the Winnie-the-Pooh suit.

Josie smiled for much of the time she was outside today. I think she liked the bright white snow and also loved seeing the dogs race around acting like total spastics.



Okay, we did take some pictures over the holidays. Here is Josie and I in front of our 2011 Christmas Tree

 
And in early December, Jerill's mom was able to get Josie to hold her own bottle!

Wear's baby??? Well, because I was too confused by the Baby Bjorn carrier (so many straps and every time I tried to get Josie into it, it resulted in cries of fear and panic), I purchased a Serene Sling.  I love, love, love this carrier...

http://serenesling.com/

It's comfortable to wear, easy to put on, easy to put baby into, and baby likes it!!  Josie spent all of New Year's Eve brunch in it.

Shhhhh, baby's sleeping.

Some Firsts

The first super-colorful photo of Miss J (and first time she has worn that onesie)

Josie's first smile caught on camera!

Josie and I went up the Space Needle  (her first time) in Seattle on December 19, 2011

The Space Needle's reflection in the Experience Music Project building

Josie in her first Christmas holiday attire

Josie's first (and only) 2 Month Birthday!