Avalon Collies and Training Center

Avalon Collies began in 1978 as a gift by my grandmother.  She knew it was my heart's desire to train, breed and show beautiful Collies.  Beginning with Wickmere lines, then later switching to the Starr/Countryview/Tartanside lines, the dream became reality.  It has been my vision to create a Collie of striking beauty with the temperament, health and brains to allow them to be conformation champions, obedience, agility, rally, freestyle and herding competitors yet also therapy dogs to the small, elderly, and ill, all the while being the best house and bed dogs any one could wish for.

Every puppy born at Avalon is born and raised in my home, surrounded by all the other Collies.  From the time they are old enough to escape the whelping box, they are introduced to every possible experience.  They learn manners first from their dam and later from older siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmother, great grandmother, and me.  Socialization of puppies is of the utmost importance.  It is the foundation from which stable, loving, self-confident companions are created.  By the age of 7 weeks of age, the average Avalon puppy has made 4-8 social (non-veterinary) trips, had contact with dozens of people of all ages, dogs of all shapes and sizes, and has exerienced many different surroundings, learned the basics of commands such as "come", "sit", "down", "let's go", "kennel", and "stay/wait".  Each puppy has also been exposed to some future "tools of the trade", such as obedience and agility equipment, as well as different types of surface terrain. 

As a trainer and handler for more than 25 years, my Collies and dogs trained by me have been involved in many dog events: conformation ring, obedience, rally, agility, herding, canine freestyle.  In addition, I consult for puppy selection (all breeds), litter evaluations (all breeds), and behavioral training (all breeds).