I was lucky enough to acquire Dude from the Swankes in early December of 1998. He quickly bonded to me and started to work toward his trialing career with a new handler. He was Champion Duck dog in 2000 and won High Combined in the Finals in 2001, as well as numerous placements. He was High Score ducks and High Combined in the 2000 Nationals, and High Score sheep and High in Trial in 2001, his last Nationals. Dude has been a pleasure to own. He got along well with all people and other animals. Although he had been trained/encouraged to be protective of his isolated Dakota ranch, he really was a "people" dog. He didn't fawn over strangers but was always a gentleman. An excellent dog with kids and puppies, very tolerant of whatever was done to him.

Dude was a powerful dog able to read cattle and situations and act appropriately. He was strong and stylish on both heads and heels with a great sense of group. He was a dog with a strong work ethic and desire to please. Dude worked equally well on sheep and ducks. He could be very steady and patient when it was required of him. Dude had a very relaxed style but was also very intense when working. The combination was a joy to work with. Many of my favorite times with Dude were in Montana gathering cattle at the Moe ranch, watching him do what he loved most, he was a professional. One of the most special qualities of Dude is that he has proven to consistently pass on many of his wonderful talents to his offspring. There are many of his sons and daughters out working/trialing, proving their own abilities and producing others of quality as well. I think Dude will prove to have a positive impact on the working Aussie.

In late January of 2002, Dude came up lame in the front leg. We couldn't figure out what was wrong, trying many diagnostic tools as he gradually worsened and developed neck stiffness and neurological deficits. An MRI showed that he had developed a slow growing, inoperable nerve sheath tumor that had grown into his cervical spinal cord. He gradually became paralyzed but his mental strength and heart never failed.