Rio is Green Boy from the Garth Brooks Litter. He was the second boy that I fell in love with in this litter and really didn't want to part with... He is such a handsome boy - he has a lovely headpiece, very nice length of muzzle. Great substance, and coat. He has a dynamite front and rear. He is a confident, handsome pup. I'm so excited to watch him grow up and see all the great things that he will do! Check in from time to time and see what he is up to.

Rio went to his first real show the last weekend of October at the Delaware Ohio KC shows. Rio took Reserve Winners dog on Saturaday to his brother and then took his first point going Winners Dog on Sunday over his litter brother at just 6 months! Rio is a handsome boy who has attended puppy class and is in intermediate obedience class now. He will be back out in the ring as he matures. He is very handsome!

Rio took several training classes - inlcuding puppy, basic obedience and attention. He earned his CGC and his TKN and also went for a herding instinct test in May 22". He did well and was encouraged to keep going in herding training. Rio also tried BarnHunt in Aug 22' but got WAY TO worked up, made a very bad choice and lost his barn hunt privledges for life. The Barn Hunt Sec of the event felt he was "an overstimulated, teenage herding dog" but the association said that he couldn't play BarnHunt again. Thankfully, that does not impact his AKC or UKC participation privledges.

Rio returned back to us after the BarnHunt incident and we've had him at our home since Aug 13, 22 - so that we could evaluate him and decide what his next steps would be. He has had a pretty structured life with us and respondes very well to that structure. We do not allow any herding mouthing on people - so we haven't seen any of that from him. HE DOES LOVE to fetch and play tug - and he can get very amped up. But, he is responsive to verbal commands to end the play session. We decided to complete his pre-liminary health clearances just to make sure he is sound - which are GREAT - and now we are looking for the perfect home for him.

Rio is a handsome and very dominant dog. He is looking for a strong, but fair pack leader. HE LOVES to learn and engage, but his excitement level has to be managed. He is short backed, has a lovely straight, coarse coat - but is still a teenager in his body and mind. He'll need some time to mature physically (drop his chest) before he is competitive in conformation, so now is the right time for him to begin in performance training. He is looking for a dominant female (human and/or dog) to live with who wants to become very intuned with him, that can anticipate his actions and provide guidance to ensure he makes the right decisions. He needs a proactice trainer - not a reactive one. He will still be co-owned with Sarron and I'd like to see him in a performance, show home that only has one or two other girl dogs, at the most, so that he gets plenty of training and cuddle time.

Rio moved to Indiana in late November 2022 to be with Rich and Lucinda Schultz and his sister Twister! Rio has settled in great with Rich and Lucinda and completed his Rally Novice title in February 2023. He also started working on his Beginners Novice and his BCAT title in March 2023. We plan on getting him back in the conformation ring in Summer of 2023 after her matures a bit more.

Rio and Lucinda earned his Rally Advanced Title on Feb 18, 24! Great work you two! Rio will be out more this year in Conformation as well!

Rio and new friend Aubrie went to Louisville shows in March 24' and had a GREAT TIME!! Rio took Winners Dog and Best of Winners for 5 pts on Thursday and also took RWD to his brother' Darcy Major Win too! GREAT WORK RIO AND AUBRIE!!!

Rio and Aubrie went to the Cincinnati shows in May 24' and took Winners Dog 3 of the 4 days. Rio took Best of Breed one day and went on to take a HERDING GROUP 2 under Mr. Bob Stein. WHAT A THRILL!!! Rio is about half way to his Championship and is also working on some performance titles too! Great Work Team Rio!!!

Rio finished his AKC CH by going Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best OH of Breed for 5 pts at the Supported BSCA Entry at Louisville 2025! WOO HOO!! Great work Aubrie!! He is the 5th champion from the Icey x Thunder litter!