Alasdair MacRae has been around border collies almost his entire life. He grew up on a farm in Lochailort, Scotland. As a boy of eight, he got his first border collie. While he did not have him trained for sheep, Alasdair trained Pal to do almost everything else. From playing soccer (both offense and defense!) to hide and seek, and every trick an eight year old can imagine, Pal was a tremendous companion and friend. Their relationship gave Alasdair great insight into the complexity and extraordinary ability of these dogs.

At eighteen Alasdair was hired as a single shepherd. It was his first day at the new job when he saw Norman McEwan work his dog on the hill. From that moment forward Alasdair decided to train and trial border collies. Alasdair could not afford a trained or well bred dog and therefore ended up purchasing dogs that were rejected by farmers or handlers in Great Britain as not useful. It was largely because he had to sort these dogs in his early years that Alasdair became so gifted at training dogs to their absolute potential–adapting his style to the individual dog to end up with the best the dog can be.  He spent two years on the Duke of Northumberland Estates with Kenny Bremmer and it was working with Kenny where Alasdair learned what it meant to have a well trained dog.

The rest, as they say, is history. Alasdair is without question the most accomplished handler in North America.

Alasdair took a job in Holland in 1985, the year after he won the Scottish National with Mirk and did not compete at sheepdog trials from 1985-1987. He returned home and began competing again in 1988 with a then unregistered female, Bute. Bute proved an exceptionally effective bitch and was ROM in 1989 after winning open trials. Alasdair's first return to the International stage was in 1990 with Bute where he was Reserve Supreme International Champion. Alasdair's strong, bare skinned dog Nap drew early in the qualifying and just missed making the team in 1991. Alasdair repeated his outstanding performance in 1992 with Cory and again captured the Reserve Supreme.

It was on the big and difficult course at Armathwaite in 1993, with the now legendary Nan, that Alasdair won the coveted Supreme International Championship.
He was also 4th that year with the stylish and powerful Elwy Glen. The following year Nan was injured for the entire trial season but she did make it back for the International. Even at far less than top performance, Nan captured 5th place.

In the 5 years that Alasdair competed at the International, he was in the top 5 on 5 occasions. Alasdair is 10 time USBCHA National Finals Champion & has won the title with 5 different dogs & has won every major title he has competed in (many multiple times) in both the U.S. and Great Britain.

Nan's remarkable abilities were recently highlighted on the rebroadcast of the BBC's very popular, "One Man and His Dog". Alasdair and Nan still hold the title for the highest points ever attained in over 30 years of programs; an amazing 108 out of 110 points.

Alasdair & I breed, train, trial and sell dogs professionally. We trial across the U.S. with our own dogs as well as client dogs and do lessons and clinics nation wide.

I got my first puppy, Bear, nine years ago and discovered trialing in 2002. I have competed in Open for five years qualifying every year for the National Finals. In the 5 years I have competed, I have made it through to the Final at the National Finals 4 times.
In 2008, I was 3rd & 10th in the Final with Max & Bear.

I retired Bear in September of 2009 after he captured 3rd in the WWSDA Double lift Final Just behind Star & Nap. I planned to run Max & my young dog Cap at theNational Finals.
The end of July 2009 (2 months prior to the Finals) Max suffered a severe sprain and the orthopedic surgeon prescribed absolute crate rest and leash walking until 5 days prior to the start of the Finals, provided he was recovered.
I was incredibly fortunate & although Max was clearly not fit and had no training for the 8 weeks prior, Max's heart & try earned us 2nd place in the semi's & carried us through to the Final at the National. Our lack of preparation caught us out on the Sunday, but we managed 11th overall & Max's heart impressed both Alasdair & I more than when he was 3rd.

MAX