Custom Stockdogs was founded by Joyce Burnham and Kenneth Kuykendall in 1986. Custom Stockdogs is owned and operated by Joyce Burnham.
Joyce has years of experience in the livestock business specializing in sheep. She has been custom fitting and showing elite flocks of sheep across the country for over 20 years.
At the same time the Border Collies have been a key part of the business that now has evolved into a sheep operation and Border Collie breeding and training facility that has been taken over by Joyce in 2006.
Joyce and Kenneth have had extensive experience with handling and training dogs in many diverse situations as a result of many years custom shearing, lambing and general flock maintenance for many different farms and ranches.
The dogs bred by Custom Stockdogs now go back to those used by Joyce and Kenneth for those challenging jobs over the past 25 years.
Custom Stockdogs' farm is located in SW Illinois on 80 acres where Border Collies are raised and trained to herd all types of livestock.
The livestock includes a flock of sheep that our dogs help us manage. Livestock guard dogs are used to protect the sheep from predators. There is also a select group of cattle used to train the dogs and a group of Indian Runner Ducks that are used in demonstrations and occasionally for training.
Clinics and lessons are offered by Joyce to teach people how to handle and train dogs.
Joyce has started to compete in some trials to obtain her AKC judging license and to learn what students at some of the clinics need to learn when their goal is to compete with their dogs. Joyce believes that dogs need to learn how to handle farm and ranch situations first and then competing in trials is an added bonus. As of December 2006, Joyce is an approved AKC Judge.
Entertaining and informative Demonstrations given at Stock Shows, Fairs, Festivals & Schools are always a favorite. Kenneth will be offering Demonstrations under the name of Stockdog Entertainment. Joyce will be giving some demonstrations too under the name of Custom Stockdogs. Check back for more information.
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Thank you and enjoy your visit!