Presto holds the honorary title of third-generation "Princess."  She is a sweet, biddable, loving dog whose affection for my son has to be seen to be believed.  She is probably the most trainable dog that I have ever seen, having a superb combination of biddability and sensitivity, but with a forgiving nature.  She does not take things to heart the way that most extremely biddable dogs do.

She is a drivey, ruthless athlete on the agility field and in flyball.  She loves frisbee and was a natural "tug-a-holic" from the time she arrived.  She has shown good natural talent on sheep and cows.

Presto's star really shines, however, in our work at Search and Rescue training.  Her temperament traits combined with her outstanding work ethic seem to be just the right things to make a good air scenting dog.  She is progressing quickly and I have high hopes for the future with this dog.

Conformation-wise, her faults include having quite a wide chest, slightly straighter front angulation than perfect, and having orange-ish wooly undercoat that shows through in some places.  She has slightly rounder eye than I like but hasn't produced it.  She has an outstanding rear end.

She is physically unbelievably tough, mentally sensitive and willing yet a real "trooper."  She is a fireball at work and a lay-around, cuddly, "Klingon" dog in the house.  You have to peel her off when you get up from the couch!  I don't think she's ever read the "reserved with strangers" part of the breed standard, either.  She does, however, show a true guardian nature in the house.  She is a confident, bomb-proof dog who can go anywhere and do anything.

Presto will be bred one last time in spring/summer 2006.  See the upcoming litter page for more information.

Presto at the Great Lumberjack Challenge 2005, demonstrating to the human participants how to do the Boom Run across Corner Brook Stream.

Her Highness and me, summer 2004

Setting off on a SAR training problem January 2005

11 months of age

Trademark goofy look when waiting for the ball to be thrown.

"Excuse me, I'd love to come and see you but Kevin is asleep and if I move right now he'll wake up.  Just take the picture, and I'll stay right here."	"He's squeezing me a bit too tight but it just makes me know he loves me more.  I don't mind."
"For some reason she likes to cover me up with the blankets.  I am really far too warm, but it just lets me know she loves me more.  I don't mind."	"This is my cow.  It's a beautiful cow.  It moos when I chew it.  I love my cow."