Pam Beahm bought two pups from us. One for herself and one for her friend, the well known sheepdog handler, Charles Ridener in Arkansas USA. Charles is well known for his Border Collie sheepdog exhibitions, trial work and the best selling training video 'A Stockman's Best Friend'. He mainly works cattle but usually starts the dogs off on sheep first.

A few short comments:

"She has to be the happiest puppy I ever saw... She doesn't know a stranger or a strange dog. She thinks they are all her buddies. .. She is very intelligent and very willing and I think will be a great dog. I am very pleased with her...Thanks for sending two fantastic dogs, we are already planning on a couple more from you. " - Pam Beahm

"Shiloh is really fantastic. She has lots of style and class when working...I definitely am very glad I paid the extra money and got started with good Kelpies..."I am hoping to buy 2 more Noonbarra dogs to cross to the two I brought in. "

"If these are any indication of their breeding I would sure recommend Noonbarra Kelpies to anyone that asks. I hope to get to Australia and bring back another couple of their pups.

She had no fear and lots of confidence... She is very intelligent and so easy to work whether here or on livestock. I have never seen a dog with so much potential- the quiet confidence and absolute strength is amazing in so young a dog... but so far she is just perfect." - Pam Beahm Washington State. USA. beahm@hctc.com

"Just received your photos and pedigree. The photos are great and I'll send them on to Charlie. He really likes Tank and thinks he will be a great worker. Shiloh is here... she has to be the happiest puppy I ever saw. She is fasinating to watch as she works my other dogs. She has some great moves."

"We went to a training trial yesterday. I took a Border Collie that I have and took Shiloh around (on a lead) to get her around people and other dogs. She doesn't know a stranger or a strange dog. She thinks they are all her buddies. .. She is very intelligent and very willing and I think will be a great dog. I am very pleased with her...Thanks for sending two fantastic dogs, we are already planning on a couple more from you. " - Pam Beahm

"Shiloh is really fantastic. She has lots of style and class when working. She does not get the work that (Noonbarra) Tank does but shows wonderful style and balance. (Charlie) said that Tank shows no fear and moves quietly and confidently around the sheep. We are both happy with the pups. Charlie said he plans on keeping Tank and using him as a Stud someday. If Charlie is saying that this early on he must really like him."

"Still would like you to keep in mind that I'd like to get another two pups, male and female, to cross with the two we already have. I would like the breeding for tough cattle type dogs. It would be nice to keep your bloodlines intact in this country.Thanks for two great pups." - Pam Beahm Washington State, USA.

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"She has to be the happiest puppy I ever saw. She is fasinating to watch as she works my other dogs. She has some great moves." ... ".. She doesn't know a stranger or a strange dog. She thinks they are all her buddies. .. She is very intelligent and very willing and I think will be a great dog. I am very pleased with her...Thanks for sending two fantastic dogs, we are already planning on a couple more from you. " - Pam Beahm

"Shiloh is really fantastic. She has lots of style and class when working. We are both happy with the pups..."Still would like you to keep in mind that I'd like to get another two pups, male and female, to cross with the two we already have. I would like the breeding for tough cattle type dogs. It would be nice to keep your bloodlines intact in this country.Thanks for two great pups." -

..."She had calm power and bunches of style I was very impressed with their working without any running around or acting foolish. Both pups knew where to be and what to do. I definitely am very glad I paid the extra money and got started with good Kelpies..."I am hoping to buy 2 more Noonbarra dogs to cross to the two I brought in. Then we will have a pair in Arkansas and one in Washington. "

 "She is fantastic. A real buddy dog. She is always very close. At the computer she is under my chair, if I am in the yard she will always be watching what I am doing.

".. He has one old ram that he uses to test new dogs he gets in for training, I have seen that old ram chase lots of dogs out. I brought my pup out to see what the ram would do. He stayed away from the pup so I knew she had the strength that only he can see.

After a few minutes I guess he decided he was hot and had had enough dogs for one day and he faced her. Most dogs won't walk up on him when he gets his "mean" look. My pup tried to go around but Charlie (Ridener) didn't let her. Finally she started walking toward that old ram and just kept walking. That old ram was surprised he wouldn't turn around but he backed away from her and she kept right on coming. I can't remember seeing very many other dogs that had that much confidence.

She knew he would back down. Her brother (Noonbarra Tank) is the same way, very quiet and no foolishness just the quiet power and confidence in their own ability. Just amazing little dogs and still puppies, almost 6 months old. It is a long ways to go, but it is sure nice to have real dogs to start with.

If these are any indication of their breeding I would sure recommend Noonbarra Kelpies to anyone that asks. I hope to get to Australia and bring back another couple of their pups.

She had no fear and lots of confidence... She is very intelligent and so easy to work whether here or on livestock. I have never seen a dog with so much potential- the quiet confidence and absolute strength is amazing in so young a dog. I am still interested in getting another pair to cross to these two. We don't have very many good Kelpies in this country and sure do need some. Thanks for your letter and I will keep you informed, but so far she is just perfect." - Pam Beahm Washington State. USA. beahm@hctc.com

Good Evening. Just received the photos and pedigrees. The photos are great I will send them on to Charlie. He really likes Tank and thinks he will be a great worker. Shiloh is here. I don't know how that lady on your web site took a picture of hers asleep this one never stops. I have never seen so much energy. She has to be the happiest puppy I ever saw. I am trying to housebreak her and even when I tell her she is not supposed to do that in the house she is jumping and wiggling and happy. She is fascinating to watch as she works my other dogs she has some great moves. I am anxious for her to grow so we can try the sheep. We have some "puppy sheep" but I still want to wait until I know I can control her when she is in the pen.

Thanks again for the pedigrees and pictures. Will let you know how they progress - Pam

13th March 2000

Good Morning. Shiloh is already doing lots better. She is still active but I expect that. She knows her name and usually come pretty well. If she know she is going into the crate she does not come as well, but that will come. Charlie has always said in young pups hold them in your arms but with their backs down and tummy's up until they relax so I have been doing that and she wiggles for a minute and then relaxes and starts licking.

We went to a training trial yesterday. I took a BC that I have and took Shiloh around (on a lead) to get her around people and other dogs. She doesn't know a stranger or a strange dog. She thinks they are all her buddies.

We did put them with the sheep at Charlie's and they were definitely interested, but I want to get her listening a little better before we do much work. At Charlie's when the sheep were close they would not take their eyes off of them and definitely stayed at the head so I liked that.

She is very intelligent and very willing and I think will be a great dog. I am very pleased with her. You are right she need to start learning the lie down and other commands. It is winter here and usually cold and rainy so most of our lessons are in the house. I like absolute obedience in my working dogs so I am going to have to get to work on her. She already knows when she has upset me, as in housebreaking mistakes, so I know she is attentive to me and that will really help as we go along.

I really do like her and will keep you informed as we go along. Right now other than manners we are not doing much but that will change as the weather improves with spring.

Thanks for send two fantastic dogs, we are already planning on a couple more from you. - Pam

"As for her name. I don't know where I originally came up with it. I have had several Shiloh's over the years, mostly Australian Shepherds and they were always fantastic dogs so I kind of save that name for dogs that are special. "

21st March 2000

Just wanted to give you a progress report.

Shiloh is really fantastic. She has lots of style and class when working. She does not get the work that Tank does but shows wonderful style and balance. I do not have access to stock like Charlie does so she just works about once every week or two. Charlie has some other pups (BC), I don't know why usually he doesn't like puppies, but he puts them on the sheep every day or two and just let's them learn to stay behind and get used to being around them. He won't start really training for several months, but just wants Tank to stay interested. He said Tank shows no fear, but moves quietly and confidently around the sheep. He has already had the lesson on making Tank mind and said he does very well now.

We are both very happy with the pups. Charlie said he plans on keeping Tank and using him as a stud someday. If Charlie is saying that this early on he must really like him.

Still would like to have you keep in mind that I would like to get another two pups, male and female, to cross with the two that we already have. This time I would keep the male and Charlie would keep the female. I guess I must like Kelpies also for me to say I want a male as it is usually really difficult to give me a male. Anyway if you have any young ones that would be a good cross to the two we already have please let me know. I would like to be breeding for tough cattle type dogs. It would be nice to keep your bloodlines intact in this country.

Thanks for two great pups. - Pam

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Pam: enjoyed your post. Exactly where on the west coast are you located? What is the breeding on the Noonbura Kelpies you imported. I very much enjoyed my recent visit with Stephen and Mary and admired their dogs so much. Ellen

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Ellen,The pups breeding is Noonbarra Prince and Noonbarra Valerie. They are both red. I am hoping to buy 2 more Noonbarra dogs to cross to the two I brought in. Then we will have a pair in Arkansas and one in Washington. I took mine back to Ark last month and had Charlie start her right for me. He has both cattle and sheep, obviously the pups were on sheep. He "worked", mostly just letting her find her way, with her for a day or two on the whole bunch, about 125. Then one day he had the old rams sorted off and had been starting some older dogs. He has one old ram that he uses to test new dogs he gets in for training, I have seen that old ram chase lots of dogs out. I brought my pup out to see what the ram would do. He stayed away from the pup so I knew she had the strength that only he can see.

After a few minutes I guess he decided he was hot and had had enough dogs for one day and he faced her. Most dogs won't walk up on him when he gets his "mean" look. My pup tried to go around but Charlie didn't let her. Finally she started walking toward that old ram and just kept walking. That old ram was surprised he wouldn't turn around but he backed away from her and she kept right on coming. I can't remember seeing very many other dogs that had that much confidence.

She knew he would back down. I told Charlie he was trying to get my dog killed, he just laughed and said he knew she could handle it but wouldn't have let her get hurt or in over her head. Her brother is the same way very quiet and no foolishness just the quiet power and confidence in their own ability. Just amazing little dogs and still puppies, almost 6 months old. It is a long ways to go, but it is sure nice to have real dogs to start with.

If these are any indication of their breeding I would sure recommend Noonbarra Kelpies to anyone that asks. I hope to get to Australia and bring back another couple of their pups. By the way if you want to reach me off the list my email is beahm@hctc.com Thanks Pam

"She is fantastic. A real buddy dog. She is always very close. At the computer she is under my chair, if I am in the yard she will always be watching what I am doing. She is a bundle of energy but has settled down lots. I am finally getting around to really putting some discipline on her. As in come when I want not when she wants, lie down and basic stuff. Two weeks ago I went back to Arkansas to visit Charlie and Tank (and lots of other dogs). It was the first time I put Shiloh on stock. She was fantastic, of course it helps when Charlie is so good. He had her staying behind and moving the sheep wherever he wanted. He has about 125 head of mixed rams, ewes and lambs born in late winter.

One evening I was using another dog to take the sheep to their night pasture and I was driving them. Charlie had turned all the other dogs out of their kennels for their evening run in the exercise yard. Well Shiloh is a little escape artist and pretty soon I saw her really coming across the pasture and I remember thinking I was going to have sheep all over the pasture. I laid the Border Collie down and went to the front so she would just fetch them and let her start bringing them along. Shiloh was perfect she just fell in behind and was bringing them also, perhaps a little faster than I needed, but there was no foolishness just work. I told the BC to stay and just let Shiloh bring them and she did it with no problem by herself. She was very disappointed when we got the gate shut, but she came to me when I asked her to even though I could see she would much rather have preferred to stay there and work.

Charlie was working several dogs he is trying to get started one morning and was using the older rams to test the dogs to find out how much power they have. The rams are great I don't know how they know but they sure do. Sometimes on little puppies they will move away and sometimes on older new dogs they will literally chase them out of the pen, they just seem to know how much power the dogs have or will have. Anyway I took Shiloh out there to see what would happen. She was perfect and moved the rams all over the training pen. The rams were hot and finally got tired of everything and the old mean one turned on Shiloh and just stared at her, that usually works not many dogs want any part of him. She tried to go around but Charlie wouldn't let her so she just started walking up to that big old ram and he started going backwards. He never turned around but he backed up as she walked toward him. I had never seen him do that before. She had no fear and lots of confidence. I told Charlie I thought he was trying to get my dog killed, but as he has been doing this for 35 years he knew exactly what was happening, he said he knew she could handle him and he was very impressed with her style and class, but mostly her strength. She sure has the "border collie" stare.

I guess I am rambling on but I sure do like her. She is very intelligent and so easy to work whether here or on livestock. Tank gets to "work", obviously mostly just controlled playing, quite often so he has a head start on her, but I wanted Charlie to start Shiloh so it was done right. He said until Tank was a year or ready for some real control he just lets him learn to work the sheep. Tank is much more stubborn that Shiloh, but he is getting over that. Charlie really likes him. He is a cry baby sometimes when Charlie really gets on him, but Charlie said he would get over that he is just anxious for him to get a little older so he can really get to working with him. When Shiloh gets older I will probably let Charlie really get her started so it is right, I sure don't want to mess her up I have never seen a dog with so much potential- the quiet confidence and absolute strength is amazing in so young a dog

I am still interested in getting another pair to cross to these two. We don't have very many good Kelpies in this country and sure do need some. I will ask Charlie to email you about Tank. Thanks for your letter and I will keep you informed, but so far she is just perfect. Thanks - Pam

Letter Oct 2000

"I am going to visit Charlie at the end of the month and will take her. He said Tank is doing very well. He is just now really starting to push the training, he likes to wait until they are at least a year old and can take the pressure of training. He has let Tank work but not really trained him. He said he had some people visit the other day from and they had Border Collies. They worked their dogs and Charlie worked some of his and then he got Tank out and said he hadn't trained him much but they wanted to watch a Kelpie and they were very impressed. They wanted to buy him and Charlie said NO. He said Tank has a very strong walk up and will stand and back the sheep up. "

" Shiloh is a great little dog. The Kelpies definitely have an independent personality. She is well disciplined and not at all a problem, but you can see in her eyes that she is always judging you..... I have never seen such athletic dogs "

Letter Nov. 2000

" She is very well mannered and I do not have any problems with her. When I talk to her she will sit and listen like she is trying hard to understand.

" I saw Tank last week. He is sure a pretty guy and working very well. Charlie is just really starting to work him. He has let him out to work and just let him learn the livestock. He kept him under control but doesn't really like to put a lot of pressure on them until they are old enough to take it. He is gearing Tank up all the time but is still a ways from really pressuring him to work with all the commands he will know when Charlie is finished with him. He does like him though that is why he has not been hurrying him.

Anyway thanks for your letter. I don't think either Charlie or I have any problems with discipline. We both really like them. Charlie had some people visiting from Brazil and he was showing some of his trained dogs and some of how he started the young dogs. He got Tank out and told them he had let him work but had not started really training him. The guys from Brazil really liked Tank and wanted to buy him but Charlie said no he was going to work him....

Anyway I couldn't be more pleased with both of them they are great dogs and good friends also. I have never been around more athletic dogs they can jump all the way over a truck and not even think about it."

 July 2004

Just thought I would tell you that Shiloh has 7 pretty puppies, 5 boys and 2 girls. The pups were born May 17. I got a real nice red male dog that is 2 years old to breed her with. He works like we want our dogs to work and since I couldn't use tank on Shiloh I thought I would use him. They are really nice dogs and look just like the dogs on your web page. ..

I am a firm believer in your dogs and I want my dogs to be like them. I have told a lot of folks ask about your breeding program and I have several to ask me how to line breed dogs. 

 PS. Still looking for some good working dogs that have had a little work.

I have trained a number of Kelpies to work but have not trained any who had as much natural talent as the two dogs we got from you. 

Thank You For Help

Charlie Ridener