​Sunnyside English Shepherds

2016: As an intact adult male, he has indicated that he doesn't like the other intact adult males here (and it's reciprocated), which is typical. We will continue to walk them together in the hopes that at least growling matches between fences will be prevented. 

Skye (our spayed lab x) has decided that he's ok from a distance, and so was able to join us on our walks yesterday unleashed. She can be somewhat dominant when other dogs get too pushy in their greetings but has a really rapid response to the 'get back' command, so I was able to just verbally get her to back away a couple of times when they got face to face for too long. Monty doesn't appear to 'bring it' except with intact males, but he's also indicated that if another dog brings it to him, he'll be interested in settling the matter.

I don't yet know if he will swim, but he's perfectly happy to walk through puddles & lay down in the water- no aversion to water there! Update- he does swim! :) Jumped in the dugout and swam this morning.

He's beginning to show a bit of recognition to the 'yes' marker for training purposes and we're working on getting a sit when I stop walking. 

Monty was, understandably, depressed the first few days and is beginning to settle in here a bit more, so his energy level is starting to rise. So far, he's just cheerfully willing to 'go' when it's time to go. Guess we'll see if he plateaus at that stage. Not hyper, just definitely enjoys activity. He has a nice off switch thus far, and is usually quiet in his kennel run.

Check out our BLOG (button below)  where I'll add more info on Monty as we get to know him :)
2017 Update: We have now owned Monty for a year. He has maintained at medium energy with a good off switch. He has high prey drive; I've been working with him on learning the rules around my stock such as no chasing without permission. These are rules that we teach our pups right from the beginning, but since he came as an adult, with unknown training and bad habits, it is taking a bit longer for him to accept that rule. Due to winter weather - which means  we don't have much stock to move- and a severed tendon on my part, I haven't worked him much this winter. However, he appears to be starting to understand that when I take him in the pasture, it does not automatically mean he's supposed to chase stock. I've been placing him on a wait or down while I walk among the does to check them (due in May). He's been pretty good about staying put and not rushing to get involved. So, improving :) However, due to his high prey drive, I only plan to match him with my lower drive girl, Jazz.

Monty is a very loving, shadowy dog. He barks when people come, but is social and accepting of anyone we approve.
He often glances over to check on me when I'm walking him, and responds quickly to my verbal instructions. When he's free, he stays home, and accompanies me when I'm outside, often choosing to lay at my feet if I'm doing stationary jobs. 
 

His mom's working evaluation link is located on the reference sires & dams page.

Hear ye, Hear ye ... We've got Monty's OFA results!
 

2020 update: 
We have now owned Monty for over 4 years. He is a very loving, sweet, loyal boy with numerous good qualities. He combined well with Jazz, and sired a beautiful litter of pups (see Litter B) with her in March 2018, another litter in November/18 , and a third litter in May of 2020, with many happy owners.

Monty is stable and well rounded, a social dog with many admirable pet or obedience / agility type traits. He is higher prey drive, so is best as an active companion, obedience /agility, or possibly cattle rather than small stock / poultry. We hope some day to have a cow or two, so will be interesting to see him with them. (Update July 2021: Monty was interested, and well behaved with cows over the past several months, but I didn't work him much since there's not been much need to work the cattle. )

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