Sneakers came to me in Alaska when he was 10 months old from Deb Casey in Dallas, Texas.  He will be 6 years old on August 2, 2003.  Sneaker is a one of a kind dog.  He has taught me more about training, living, and dogs in general than any other dog.  Perhaps the most important thing we have learned together is TRUST.   He is the most trustworthy dog I've ever known and I needed to learn to put my faith in his ability and my own skills.  Times when I have given up, Sneaker has kept me going.  Sneaker is an accomplished herder and loves every moment on the agility course.  He's the first dog up in the morning and on the go all day long; but also the first one in bed at night once our evening chores are through.  When he won a Group 2 placement in January of 2000, I thought he had given me the thrill of a lifetime.  But, that was just the beginning.  He clocked the fastest error-free course time in Rally in November 2002 over much more seasoned competition dogs.  His Novice obedience routines were always entertaining; though, at times, I didn't appreciate that aspect until we had left the ring.  When I had decided he would never retrieve a dumbbell, Sneaker took to it like he never had to think twice.  After years of flat out refusing to herd ducks, he went out one morning and helped me like he did it all the time.  Sneaker has been my demo dog for classes including puppy classes with puppies playing and training off leash.  He is a very good babysitter for Maybelle, my toddler, and has performed well for my teenager in her 4H agility club. 

Ch. Maitlands Rio Bravo, CD, HSAs, CGC, JHD, VQW, ROM  "Taz"  is Sneaker's sire.  That ROM at the end of his name says he is a Register of Merit Australian Cattle Dog  - a very high honor.  Taz is owned by Deb Casey.   You can learn more about Taz at Txk9.com Sneaker's Dam is Am/Can/Mex Ch Silver Hills Blue Fantasia.  You can visit his littermate Molly at RiverForth Kennel or visit his littermate Chasnil at Des Poenjaap Kennels.  Sneaker has some rather attractive puppies from 2 litters with Ch Silver Hills Energizer Bunny.  A couple in  Europe have given him beautiful grandpups.  The quality carries through.

In 2005 Sneakers will be competing in Agility,  Rally, and hopefully, AKC Herding.  At 7 he is hitting his stride as a performance dog giving reliable and happy performances.  My favorite time with Sneakers is spent herding or hiking in the mountains of Alaska.  If you ask him, he prefers herding with our outings to the lake coming in a very close second preference.  He loves swimming!

Sneakers has been photographed on several occasions by Randi Hirschman and has been featured in the 2000 and 2003 Brown Trout Australian Cattle Dog Calendars and 2004 Blue Heeler Browntrout calendar!

Sneakers resting at an ASCA trial August 2000

Sneakers was the STAR on AustralianCattleDog.com

He is also January - Blue Heeler Browntrout Calendar 2004 !