Connor's Photo Page

U-CD Connor CD, RN, NA, OAP, NAJP, CGC, TT is a Border Collie that we adopted through New England Border Collie Rescue in January 2001 when he was about 1.5 years old. He is quite a character and regularly demonstrates the infamous Border Collie intelligence. He's also totally ball-obsessed, like any good Border Collie!

Connor obtained his AKC CGC title in the spring of 2001 and his 1st AKC CD leg at his 1st trial on 3/16/02 taking 4th place & High Scoring Border Collie in Novice A. He quickly earned his 2nd AKC CD leg at his 2nd trial on 3/30/02, this time with a 197 for 2nd place and High Scoring Rescue Dog in Trial! Connor finished his AKC CD title at his 3rd trial on 5/4/02 with a 2nd place!

In addition to his obedience successes, Connor competed in his first agility trials on 4/20/02 & 4/21/02, in less than ideal weather

conditions, but obtained his first two NA legs.

He had a clean run for 2nd place at his first Novice Standard 24" class, in the rain (he missed 1st by only 20 tenths of a second!) Connor obtained his 2nd NA leg the next day with a 1st place - in the cold with strong winds! To complete the streak, Connor got his AKC NA title at his 3rd trial on 6/1/02 with a clean run & 1st place, running 28 seconds under course time!

Connor continued his agility successes in the fall of 2002 winning his first NJP class for his first leg. He obtained his 2nd NJP leg with a 2nd place and also picked up a 3rd place for his first NAP leg. Connor was back to obedience before a break over the winter and picked up his first 2 UKC CD legs at his first two obedience trials and finished his U-CD title at his 3rd trial in the spring of 2003.

(Click the thumbnail photos below to see larger images)


				Connor 11 mo.	Connor practicing his diving technique
Connor's first agility trial	Connor showing good form at an agility trial	Weaving at a trial	Connor on alert		Connor at the beach
Connor talking back	"The "boys" at the beach	The 'boys' at work	The 'boys' in snow

Connor began his 2003 agility season in fine form, completing his NAJP title with a 1st place and picking up a second Novice Standard Preferred leg also with a 1st place. Connor completed his NAP title on 6/15/03 with a clean run and another 1st place! Connor continued with agility in the fall and earned his first and second Open Preferred Standard legs each with a 1st place! Over the winter he will be working on his agility skills and training for Open obedience.

2004 started off on a good note for Connor. He came home from the first trial of the season w/a 3rd place for his Open Standard Preferred title and just missed a clean run in his Open jumpers class, but he had a beautiful run. See some photos (2nd row below) from this trial. Connor brought home a 1st place for his first Open Jumpers Preferred leg at the 2nd trial of the season. Pics below (top row). Connor's show schedule was limited in 2004, however, he had his first two opportunities to run in Excellent Standard. During his first run he exhibited the "clown" part of his personality - we have it on tape as proof ;-) At the second trial he performed very well, however, he just couldn't seem to finish his Open Jumpers title. There was always one little glitch during his runs that NQ'd him. Towards the end of the year, however, he developed a sore back and refused to jump.

Connor on the a-frame

Connor running a JWW course

Connor Open JWW triple

Connor on course

Connor Relaxing

Connor as a 1yr old

For 2005 Connor had taken the winter off to get some chiropractic treatments and go back to lower jump heights to bring his confidence back. Bringing him back slowly made a big difference. He's now back to jumping his regulation height in practice and is very eager to take any obstacle he sees. Connor had very nice runs at his first trial this spring after recouping from his sore back. He also received his first Rally Novice Obedience qualifying leg. More agility to come this year and hopefully another Rally trial before the end of the year. Connor had his first herding lesson and actually showed some instinct but also a lot of desire to chase the sheep and grab a mouthful of wool! Connor received his second Novice Rally Obedience leg in the fall and then had a bit of a break from trialing while we prepared to move south.

2006 was an exciting year as the 'boys' got to experience new sights and sounds of VA. We found a place to practice agility and entered a couple of trials. Jay ran him in his first agility trial of the year and did a great job. Connor received his Novice Rally Obedience title in the spring and ran nicely on a tricky Open Jumpers course in the fall. One bar down kept him from completing his title. During 2007 Connor has been in semi retirement mode in regards to agility. He continues to compete and does a wonderful job, other than an occassional bar down or mistake at the weave poles which keeps him from finishing his OAJP title. He likes to compete for the fun of it - even being able to run over and jump on the judge. We'll see what kind of luck 2008 brings.

Connor - 1st day home

Connor & his ribbons

Connor CD leg!

Connor surveying the snow

Connor & Santa

Connor & his lucky cap

Connor & Ollie sunbathing

Connor attended a Temperament Test in October 2001 and received his USTTA TT title. This was an interesting event and knowing Connor's personality we were curious about how he'd react to the various exercises. For example, during the "Reaction to Visual Stimulus" exercise, when the umbrella was opened and thrown on the ground in front of him, he jumped back, ran warily from side to side watching it, then finally poked it with his nose, play bowed at it and woo-wooed to it! Typical "Connor the clown" reaction. He was pretty un-phased by the loud gunshots, during the "Reaction to Auditory Stimuli" exercise. Connor just sat there in heel position and cocked his head curiously each time looking intently in the direction of the sound.

Connor loves to wrestle and swim (as you can see from the photos below). He does everything in high-gear and I think will make a great tracking dog, as his nose is always to the ground when we are out for a walk. He examines every inch of everything - his nose works over time! Connor definitely keeps us on our toes - he's very sassy, but also a lot of fun.