Bel-Jac Ben (ABC90828)     Click here for Ben's pedigree Click here for pictures of dogs in Ben's pedigree

Ben was born February 19, 1996.  His dam is Ettrick Bonnie Bell (ABC48721) owned by Cathy Hartley.  Bell is a very talented Open Class trial dog, quite a strong bitch with a lot of drive who has produced many top quality pups and grandpups.  She's still working her heart out at 11 years of age.  Ben's sire is Imp. Max (ISDS171080), owned by Nathan Mooney and a very successful Open dog himself.  Max was imported by Nathan at the age of four, after he saw him run and place well in the 1991 Scottish Nationals for his then-owner Jim Brady.

Ben has had his hips rated good by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).  His OFA registry number is BCO-2551G26M and he was rated May 20, 1998 at 26 months of age.  You can see a copy of his hip xray by clicking here.
Ben is also registered with the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) and his eyes are checked yearly.

Ben is a very strong, powerful dog with a large effect on sheep.  Sheep feel Ben walk into any field.  He's a very biddable dog although he was quite the challenge to train as he could be a bit rough on his stock.  He has a natural squareness to his work, easing on and off his sheep as needed.  He is an exceptional work dog, quite clever about realizing what his job is and just doing it without a lot of instruction or command.  Ben quickly became the "go to" dog around the farm as he does his work without a lot of fuss and has enough power to handle any situation or stock.  He is a real joy during lambing, handling the baby lambs gently and taking no backtalk from ewes bent on forcing his hand.

In terms of general temperament and disposition, Ben is a nice dog to have around.  He is sweet and loves everyone and everything.  When at home, I can count on Ben being nearby, just staying close and ready to join me in whatever I'm doing.  He's a gentle, calm dog and never causes any trouble living in the house even though he's a big guy at 50 lean pounds.

Ben began his trial career late in 1998 in the ProNovice class in ISDS trials.  He promptly went out and won his first trial and continued to run well with many wins and placements in the ProNovice class.  Ben moved into the Open Ranch class in May of 2000 at the Seclusival Trial in Virginia, running well the first day and finishing one point out of first place on the second day.  He moved right on into the Open Class at the beginning of June and in July finished 7th in only his 4th Open run.  Four short months later, on November 4th, Ben won his first Open trial, the Chesapeake Stock Dog Trial in Chesapeake VA.  Placing 3rd on the second day of the trial, Ben was also the 2 Day Champion, based on combined scores.  It was a very exciting weekend!  On December 2nd, Ben narrowly missed his second win, finishing 3rd at the VBCA Winter Trial.  One of the very last dogs to run in the class posted a 93, precluding a run-off between Ben and another competitor who were tied at 91 (decided on outwork).

Ben continues to be a very strong, powerful dog.  With maturity and experience he has become a more patient one as well, and rates and handles different types of sheep, as evidenced by his high placements in Chesapeake (on barbs) and the VBCA Winter Trial (on wooled commercial ewes) as well as his value around the farm at lambing time.  He has a very nice pace, holds a very tight line with sheep, is precise, very biddable and sheds like a dream.  In April of 2001 his first litter of pups was born and now, at 5-6 months old, they are already showing great promise.
 

This is Ben at 4 months of age during     his  first exposure to stock.       That's Kent Kuykendall working him.  Quite the keen little pup!