How Robbie got his Name

In case I forget this little tidbit, I wanted to write it down. I came up with several names that I was considering for this boy - here is the list: Owen, Beck, Trim, Bryn, Brice, Garry, Speck, Vic, Benny and Robbie. Due to his working pedigree, I really wanted a name that carried on his working ancestry so I researched dogs in his pedigree to see if there were any names that stood out or that I liked. The name Robbie appears on his pedigree about 5 generations ago. Robbie, ISDS 38315 was sired by a famous dog named Brocken Robbie who produced several Welsh Champions. Robbie ISDS 38315 produced another Robbie, ISDS 103968 as well as the famous dog named Butcher's Mac.

Devin didn't know any of the reasons I selected this name but it was his favorite, so I went with it. The funny thing is my Grandfather's name was also Robert but everyone called him Robbie. Another funny thing about this name - it connects my Robbie to Ivy and Abbey. Robbie, ISDS 38315 produced a dog named Meg, ISDS 138048. Meg is Tally of Mobella's Mother - Tally is on the girls pedigree 4 generations ago.

Truly a small world in Border Collies.

Robbie's Famous Grandsires

Picture below is Wisp - owned by Robert Dalziel of Scotland. Wisp is Robbie's Great-Grandfather (Mother's side), 2 time International Supreme Champion in the 90s. The picture on top is Llangwm Bob, Robbie's Grandfather (Father's side)- owned by Aled Owen of Wales. Bob was also a multiple international champion 2000, 2002.

The ears on Bob seemed to get passed down generations. I recently joined Facebooks and am part of the Aled Owen Sheepdog group. Lots of comments on the ears which I think is funny. Robbie's ears are doing all sorts of things right now. I've asked about size because Robbie is quite big. No remarks yet - but his size could be coming from his Mother's side.

The Girls Pedigree and Such

I did not have their pedigree for the longest time. I still don't have one whole side - their Sire's side (I do know he was a NASD registered BC named Roy out of Jim Shearer's working lines). I did some research and with Rosanne's help we pieced together their Mother's side. I then ordered a pedigree for their Mother who is registered with the AKC. She was born and bred in the UK out of conformation lines and the pedigree confirmed our research.

Here is a link to some relatives to Abbey and Ivy on their mother's side:

http://www.foxbarton.com/bee.htm

The top half of her pedigree is identical to Abbey and Ivy. And Bee looks a lot like a black and white Abbey.

I also found a dog in Finland that went deaf at age 4 - she is similarly bred as the girls. Must be a genetic connection, don't ya think? I sent cheek swabs to UC Davis for both of my girls....they are researching Early Onset Deafness in border collies.

In doing research, I found quite a lot of agility dogs that share common ancestry to the girls. Since their Mother was born in the UK, I was shocked at the number of dogs that are distantly related - 3 generations, not 8. Clan Abby Blue Aberdoone was a top winning conformation dog in the UK and was used a lot for breeding - this is the primary connection to the other dogs.

Here is a link to Clan Abby - this picture is the one that reminds me the most of Ivy:

http://www.clan-abby.com/nz_ch_clanabby_lorna_doone_i01712.aspx

It truly is a small world in Border Collies. Why do I say this? I used to take classes at Y2K9s near Philadelphia. The owner, Deb Norman, has a BC named Shiner. This dog is a blue merle with tan markings....her face and mannerisms reminded me of Ivy. Years later, in doing my research, I discovered that Shiner's Sire is Bessamour D'ltan Azure - Grandfather is also Clan Abby Blue Aberdoone. There are multiple other ancestors on his pedigree in common with Abbey and Ivy.