EILIDH
Orchard Hill Eilidh Dubhshlaine
(Gaelic “Radiant Black Defiance”)
Eilidh (pronounced Ay-lee) came from Kris Hazelbaker's Orchard Hill English Shepherds right here in Idaho. I have to admit we stumbled upon a real gem in Kris and her breeding program. Orchard Hill was a working farm until recent retirement, and Kris' dedication to the English Shepherd breed and her passion for the working aptitude of the breed shines brightly in the dogs she has produced.
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Eilidh is...
- very protective and an excellent watch dog - and honestly, I think she would bite if someone tried to hurt us - but once we have greeted the person she is all about getting attention and pets.
- an excellent tender - she lets me know whenever anything needs my attention. For example, we had an old miniature dachshund, Lacy, who had gone blind and deaf. Lacy used to go stand in front of me whenever she needed out, but in her old age she didn't quite get where I could see her. One evening Eilidh started barking and I hushed her (she is very very vocal and a talker, but NOT a barker!), not understanding what she was doing - but then I noticed Lacy and let her out. It happened again, and it still took me a couple more times to realize, Eilidh was letting me know that Lacy needed out! She will also keep the house cats from going outside when we have the door open. Cats going outside is Against The Rules!
- GREAT with all of the livestock and poultry. She hasn't offered to chase or bite and is even gentle with baby chicks. She is interested in movement and pays attention, and she is playful with the cats, but they have been her "siblings" in the house since we got her. She is great with other dogs, cats, kids, etc.
- a great farm helper - she helps to round up the geese and herd them into the coop at night and is helpful as she learns to work with the sheep.
- a complete rules nazi! When she was a puppy we always took her out of the house on a leash. When I felt confident that I could call her back, I decided one day to take her out without her leash. She absolutely refused to go out that front door without her leash. It took some convincing for quite a while to get her to go out if we didn't put a leash on her (because going outside without a leash is Against The Rules!).
- not perfect LOL - she is very stubborn and not so much into obedience insofar as being perfect or wanting to be perfect for you. She learns very quickly and easily, but is stubborn about doing things when she doesn't really want to - like not begging when we eat and to go lie down until we are done. Sometimes I have to tell her a couple times and threaten her existence to get her to comply LOL (unless I get truly irritated and then she minds immediately... she know how far and when she can push my buttons!). She did good in 4H, but it really was not her thing. She is extremely smart and wants to please, but repetitive obedience and agility work are not something she enjoys.
- a great listener! I have NEVER had a dog that tries to understand exactly what you are saying. I think Eilidh has a HUGE vocabulary she understands. I can tell her things, like "go ask Kaitlyn" or "Brannon is in his bedroom" and she immediately goes to that person or does whatever it is I just indicated (it is not always a person).
- VOCAL - oh my gosh, especially when she wants something, like out of her crate after dinner. And it is not barking or whining, she verbalizes moans, groans, growls, sighs, yips, complains, LOL. She also asks to go out - she twirls in a circle, bites at her rump, moans, groans and barks. She also woofs, twirls, and vocalizes when it is food time - and precisely at DINNER TIME (The Rules say Dinner is at 7pm sharp!)
- a lover! She LOVES to snuggle, she is a lap puppy and gives huggies where she tucks her head into your neck, etc. She also loves to sleep with you if you let her LOL (yes, she is a bit spoiled!).
- VERY playful! She wrestles with the kids, especially Brannon, and Colin, and rough-houses with them, snapping and biting (very gently!), pawing, wrestling, playing tug, etc. She plays as gently or as vigorously as you bring on.
- smaller - only 33 pounds and light boned. She is super quick, and always bounds into any activity with glee. I love how she launches herself when we say "go!".
Eilidh's Pedigree
=>=>=> Eilidh's OFA Health Certification Page <=<=<=
=>=>=> Eilidh's EMBARK Page <=<=<=
OFA Hips Good
OFA Elbows Normal
OFA CAER Eyes 2019
CEA Carrier
PRA-PRCD Clear/Normal
MDR1 Clear/Normal
DM Clear/Normal
OFA Elbows Normal
OFA CAER Eyes 2019
CEA Carrier
PRA-PRCD Clear/Normal
MDR1 Clear/Normal
DM Clear/Normal
Eilidh's Sire:
"HTCH Peaslee's Howell the Good"
HTAD III, HRD III, RLF III, HTD III, ORT bca, JHD, CGC
OFA Hips Good / PennHIP DI = 0.32 / 0.35
DNA profile here: Embark Genetic Testing (DNA tests - clear for all 163 of the genetic diseases) |
Eilidh's Dam:
"Orchard Hill Steel Magnolia"PennHIP .35/.36
CEA Carrier PRA-PRCD Carrier MDR1 Clear by Parentage |
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