Oct 26, 2006 10:27 pm US/Central
Minnesota Dog Proves He's A Champion
by Jeanette Trompeter
(WCCO)
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This dog, Cash, earned top honors at herding cattle, and his skills with ducks and sheep make him the all-around cowboy of Australian Shepards.
CBS
Most dog owners are partial to their animals. Becky Beckmann is no exception.
"You know, I see dogs worldwide and you know when you have the best," Beckmann said.
She does know.
Her dog Cash is what you call a working dog and he just got done proving he's the best in the business.
Cash has never been to Westminster -- he's the best at getting ranching work done -- no cowboys required.
Beckmann breeds, trains and judges stock dogs like Cash. She says she knew early she had a winner.
"He comes from strong working lines, but you can just tell when you have something special."
She, in a sense, created Cash -- picking his parents, recognizing his talent, and fine-tuning his natural instincts.
"What you're doing is fine-tuning that same prey-drive that you see that wolves have," said Beckmann.
But herding isn't about the capture and the kill. It's about getting livestock to go where you want them to go.
"This dog, he thinks he can stop a freight train," she said.
Cash proved he's a heck of a ranch-hand at the National Stock Dog Finals in West Bend, Wis. this year. He earned top honors at herding cattle, and his skills with ducks and sheep make him the all-around cowboy of Australian Shepards.
"You know when I went up to get my buckle and his ribbons it was pretty emotional for me -- knowing that this dog almost died six months earlier."
A mystery infection almost took Cash from Becky this year, but he rebounded, got back on his feet and back to the business of what he seems to like to do best.
"It's his reward just getting to work the stock. He's like my perfect dog."
Cash will be getting more attention when this shot of him is featured on an upcoming issue of "Aussie Times" -- a world wide publication focusing on the Australian Shepard breed.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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