Oaktree Border Collies - Tom & Ruth Hines:

We purchased a female pup (Meg) from Oaktree Bordercollies born 8/14/04 out of Oaktree's Hastsoff Jack & Oaktree Suzie through a fellow Mountain & Plains Border Collie Assn. Member at eight weeks old. I was looking for a young dog to be trained for sheep trailing that was very biddable, intelligent, and focused on working.

From the very day we brought her home, she was sociable with our other Border Collies understanding exactly how to respect each of their space and very loving with people.
Meg’s so smart she’s been a joy to teach manners and basic obedience, as she’s so willing to please and co-operative but we can tell she’s super interested in working.
I really like the fact that she can be focused on stock but will listen to her owner, or can be investigating the property while I’m working outdoors and will come immediately when called.

We’ve only had her on sheep a couple times at eight months old but the second time was responding to going out and around the stock. We’ve socialized her at some Trials and a Puppy class and she had no fear of any of the Agility equipment at the puppy class. I may be prejudiced but she learned the Agility instantly. She’s very bonded to me and wants to be with me whatever I’m doing. She also had good manners and behavior at a Fun Day we went to recently with our club.

We were very pleased with how informative and helpful her Breeders were and how they have kept in touch with us offering any help or suggestions we needed. Also liked the way they socialized and cared for their pups before they were sold. They appear very knowledgable about their breedings and work hard to breed quality Border Collies.

Sincerely,

Jon & Jacqueline Robertson
35695 Breezy Acres Circle
Elizabeth, CO. 80107
(303) 646-4654
 

Oaktree Border Collies - Tom & Ruth Hines:

Jake is turning out to be a superstar. I use him almost daily and he is almost to the point where I could run him this year in the Sundowner futurity but will wait because his age is perfect for next year’s futurity. I truly believe that Jake is better at this age than Duke was at this age. I am very excited about him. 

(Scott's Jake is a son of Oaktree's Hatsoff Jackand a female from Kansas)

Scott Mayfield 
(Mayfield's Duke was the 2003 Res. National Nursery Cattle Dog)
 

Oaktree Border Collies - Tom & Ruth Hines:

I've been meaning to write about the litter I bred from my Dot by Jack.  As you know all 3 pups are in agility homes.  2 of them are already fully qualified for the 2006 USDAA National Championships (at barely 26 months old), Ivy, the one I kept, will start trialling this month and so far she is looking fabulous.  All 3 are very fast but highly biddable.  Ivy is a joy to work with, she catches on to new things very quickly and has so much enthusiasm.  She is very sweet and cuddly too.  So all in all I'm very pleased with the litter. 

Julia
 

Oaktree Border Collies - Tom & Ruth Hines:

Oaktree Nell is a daughter of Oaktree's Hatsoff Kelli
Nell was bought from Tom & Ruth as a Puppy

Nell is doing great.  We are in a sheep trial this weekend, she is gathering from about 400 yards.  She has a very quiet way of moving stock that I just love, not alot of pressure until its needed.  What first started out as kind of a timid streak has morphed into a quiet confidence, she just loves what she does.  She moves cattle very well, now that she has her commands down.  I'm starting whistle training this week, and the toughest thing is me learning the whistles..I know its tough to train a dog on different kinds of stock but she works both really well.  As far as a dog goes she is part of the family.  I have never had this before but she does all the things she's not supposed to,  sleep on the bed, stay in the house, ect, but she  is just too loveable to change.  In a nutshell she's perfect.

Larry McKenzie
California
 

Oaktree Border Collies - Tom & Ruth Hines:

Jack Pup

Every night when Jim feeds, of course Dot goes with him. We have a pen with our young heifers and there are always one or two that try to run through the gate when Jim is feeding. Now Dot sits at the gate and when they try to come out she stops them. She does not chase them she just makes them stay in the gate. The other day when Jim came home all of the heifers had gotten out into another part of the pasture, Jim and Dot went and got them and put them back up. I don't think you could pry that dog loose from Jim with a crowbar! :)
 

Oaktree Border Collies - Tom & Ruth Hines:

OK-Mozart Cowboy Breakfast -- Exhibition
 

Dear Tom and Ruth,
Your herding exhibition was a huge hit for all of our guests!!!  Several of them, as you may have noticed, could hardly leave you and the dogs and cattle long enough to enjoy the other activities offered!  We have heard nothing but raves ever since!!  Thank you so very much for all you did to make our Patron Breakfast a success!!  (You should have heard the New Yorkers talking about their experiences!!! What a ball they had!!)
And, thank you, too, for putting me on to your website!  I just looked through it, and loved every minute!  Congratulations on your great showing at the national contest!!!  I can't wait to meet that dog when you get him back home. 

Our daughter, Beth, and her husband, Andy, will be here over the 4th of July.  They have a border collie, and are eager to come meet you and see your dogs in action.  Is there any chance you wil be around and working them during that period?

Love to you all...You are the greatest!!!!!

Judy