Arbee was badly affected by a parasite called neospora caninum  that afflicted the Gatsby_Mtarni litter. For some time we could not predict whether he would survive and combined with suffering from muscle wastage in his rear legs I consequently felt that I couldn't place him in a home. Especially as there was no way of knowing whether he would be able to get around normally.

Well I don't know about 'normal' as he hocks in atrociously compensating for his muscle lack but otherwise nothing holds him back and he can chase down his mother Mtarni with no trouble at all (see picture below of Arbee and Mtarni 'lurecoursing').

I have shown Arbee for socialisation rather than competing but he nevertheless frequently won his Baby class (yes, with competition) and pulled off a Minor in Group and a Res CC beating some top winning dogs.

He is a gentle sweet boy and a true pleasure to have around the house. It would be nice to think that he could improve but it seems unlikely at this point - he'll do some Specialty shows now and then for the fun of it as he loves running around the ring with his mate Mark.

Since neospora can not be passed from a male Arbee has become part of the breeding program having now sired two litters both by natural matings. Pups from these litters have been shown with some success. I hope his babies will continue in the tradition of Starridge as without the neospora I know he would have been a top winning dog and even with it he is a top winner as a mate.