Not many days go by where I'm not asked by someone, "Just what is a McNab?" My McNab Shepherd experience goes back almost 20-years and has been an ongoing adventure since the first time I was introduced to Sung Hung's McNab, Tag. I first saw Tag at a Southern California Disc Dog Event, his jaw dropping leaping skills and athletic ability to grab the disc out of the air. It was love at first sight and the beginning of a long search to uncover what this breed is all about.
It's easy explaining where they came from and what they are capable of. But, it's so much harder explaining how easily they work their way into your heart and very existence. The way their eyes lovingly look into yours and you know that "you are owned" How do you explain that they are so soft and loving one minute, and in a "heart-beat" can change into that hard core working dog, competitor and guardian!
Once a McNab owns you you're hooked on the breed forever. My adventure began with Nitro, a Black-tri colored McNab from a couple of Breeders up in Visalia, Ca. He was an extraordinary McNab that I loved with all my heart and lost way too soon. Maverick came into my life soon after, he was a beautiful Black Tri-colored pup from Bob Bohn's Whisky and Brandy. Maverick and I went everywhere and did everything.
We competed in Dog Frisbee for the better part 5 years and then when he decided it was time to move on, we began visiting kids, little kids, big kids and even adults. He became the visiting "comfort dog everyone flocked to" at Boy Scout Camps, A crowd favorite the Camp Keepsake Cancer Survivor Events and much much more.
I had Maverick for almost 16-years, he amazed me every single day of his life! Before he left this world, he made sure I wasn't going to be without a "heart-dog." Maverick never liked any of the puppies, but he chose a very special pup to take under his wing, a blonde bundle of energy out of his Son, Chaser and Flora, Maverick spent the better part of his last year teaching him all his good antics and also the "no so good" antics he had learned over the years.
This pup went by name of Trigger, a beautiful male Blonde and white McNab Shepherd. It was if Maverick told his protégé "stick with me boy, you gotta a lot to learn" And learn he did, he took on Maverick's love for riding in the car, his amazing jumps and catching skills at Frisbee and most of all how to make me smile.
There are other dogs that joined our household, the Jenny Lynn Ripple dogs from Blockburg, Ca. A until now relatively unknown line of McNab Shepherds. Ranger and Flora (both littermates) have bred to Gypsy and Chaser. Both pairs have produced some amazing McNab Puppies.
We've been looking to the futre of our breeding program with addition of Brock, a beautiful dark red and white McNab from Dwight Bryant's Broken B McNabs. And our newest additions to the TOP GUN McNAB SHEPHERDS Kennels is a pair of beautiful red and white little girls named Calimity Jane, who is from the Garcin McNab Ranch in San Luis Obispo, California and Princess Fiona who is from Phyllis Morriss lines in Idaho.
The hand of a breeder...
A breeder's hand is the hand that calms the dog during childbirth...
It's the hand that caresses her belly to calm her down during contractions...
A breeder's hand is the hand that makes the path free to let puppies born easier...
It's the hand that doesn't shake and is under the blood to help a struggling puppy.
A breeder's hand is the hand that breaks the puppy's bag if it's not broken after birth...
It's the hand that helps rub and clean puppies and helps their breathing.
A breeder's hand is the one that tries to revive a puppy, but sometimes he has to give up when there is no heartbeat.
A breeder's hand is the hand that cut the umbilical cord when the mother doesn't...
Also, the breeder's hand is the one that weighs the puppy every day to check if everything is going well.
A breeder's hand is the hand that puts a puppy closer to the mother while the mother looks at you full of confidence...
The hand that rubs the chest, to activate the breast milk...
A breeder's hand is the one that rubs in his eyes and fights fatigue and sleeps after days without falling asleep.
It's the hand that gives milk bottles day and night when there is very little performance.
A breeder’s hand is the one that brings the lost puppy back to its mother, the one that plays with the puppy to socialize, the one that teaches the puppy to switch to solid nutrition.
The hand of a breeder is the hand that takes care of the little ones when it's not going well with them
A breeder's hand is the hand you've entrusted to your future puppy in the hope that it will go well.
The hand of a breeder is the hand that is ready day and night to answer all your questions if you have any doubt about anything.
For all these and many other things, the next time you shake a breeder's hand, think about everything that hand has done with love.
I love my job.
Top Gun McNab Shepherds
Marana, Arizona, United States
Copyright © 2021 Top Gun McNabs - All Rights Reserved.
Top Gun McNab Shepherds
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