Livestock Seminars

This year is about the angora bunny! Enjoy learning about types of angora and jump in to a session about raising too. Angora Rabbits of Texas is a community of fiber raisers specializing in French, German, Giant, English and other breeds of Angora Rabbit.

Discussion is open to all.

John Lewis graduated from Texas A&M as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  After a serving in the U.S. Army and followed by a career in the pharmaceutical industry, he and his wife Kathy retired to a sheep ranch in Gillespie County west of Fredericksburg.  Poor fences and rough terrain encouraged the acquisition of a herding border collie; that, in turn, led to a marked improvement in sheep moving and handling.  

Having one, then several, herding border collies was followed by joining herding groups, including the Texas Sheep Dog Association (TSDA).  Classical sheep dog herding was a necessity and developed as a sport in the United Kingdom near the end of the 1800s, eventually moved to sheep-herding regions around the world, including the U.S., and became officially organized in Texas in 1963.  Competitions (“trials”) are held over the U.S., and Texas is a hot-bed of sheep dog activity.  John became an active and frequent competitor and has served as a TSDA director and president.  The border collie you will see displaying her talents is a seasoned competitor and has competed in trials all over the U.S.

The TSDA website www.texassheepdogassoc.org lists upcoming trials and events and has a classified section that lists puppies and dogs for sale, members who will train dogs, and dog paraphernalia.