They are fluffy. They are black and white and every guest falls right in love with them: the Border Collies at Echo Valley Ranch.  These eight cuddly fur balls are the EVR guardians and take their job as professional “guest companions” very seriously.

When guests arrive at Echo Valley Ranch, they can be sure of one thing: they will be greeted by their own personal, tail-wagging welcoming committee in the form of our eight ranch Border Collies. These dogs are a valuable ranch asset and it is hard to imagine the ranch without them. Furthermore, if you like dogs, you will love our happy group of eight. They have assumed the role of guest companions and will do their best to keep you entertained. They will come along for a walk, keep you safe on a hike, play Frisbee or fetch with you in front of the main lodge all afternoon long.

Not one like the other
Most of the time, it doesn’t take long for the guests at Echo Valley Ranch to remember all the names of the dogs: Almo, JoJo, Anna, Benji, Sage, Echo, Joy and Bessie. They might all look similar at first, but they all have different personalities. There is Almo, the leader of the pack. He is already 15 years old and is the sire of five of the younger dogs. At times it seems he is ready to retire but nevertheless he dutifully tries to come on every walk, also to watch what the youngsters are doing. There is also no mistaking half siblings’ JoJo and Anna. JoJo is 12 years old and has stopped following a strict diet and exercise regime years ago. Hence, he is the biggest one of the group and easily to distinguish. Anna is a little big-boned herself but the trait that makes it easy to pick her out of the group is her long and mostly white coat.  This leaves us with the five siblings that are, as mentioned above, Almo’s kids: Benji, Sage, Echo, Joy and Bessie – all of them three years old.
Let’s start with Benji. It is easy to find Benji since he always carries something around in his mouth. Mostly sticks, but sometimes it will be a tennis ball or a Frisbee. Frankly, he is obsessed with these objects and there is not much else that is worth his attention. Then, there is Sage. Sage is very handsome sporting one brown and one blue eye. He is also very talkative. If you ask him nicely, he will tell you one of his sad stories (“Awhoo”). Another one of the dogs is Echo, the most sensitive but also the politest one of the bunch. Unfortunately, he is the loser of the group and regarding the hierarchy, the last one in line. However, Echo is fast and an accomplished Frisbee player. Joy is one of the three girls of the gang.  She can be easily identified by guests due to the white spot on her back. Joy is very sensitive and loves to be cuddled.  Last but not least, there is Bessie, the smartest one of the bunch. She loves chasing horses and coming along on every hike – even all the way up to the top of Mount Bowman! Bessie is always along for the ride, especially, if there is something new to learn.

Well, now you know all about our beloved Border Collies. Come and meet them in person! Our regular and future guests can look forward to spending some quality time with them in the midst of nature at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa.

Six of the eight EVR Border Collies (from the front to the back): Benji, JoJo, Anna, Echo, Bessie and Sage.

Anna, JoJo und Benji are playing with the guests.

Echo is one happy dog.

JoJo, Benji and Echo's favourite past-time activity: playing Frisbee.