MEET OUR TEAM

Our facility is home to Kuykendall’s Border Collies and Goose Masters. Our businesses complement one another and have been our way of life for as long as we can remember. Some of our happiest memories have been right here on the farm, national champions have been raised and trained on the beautiful rolling hills and some of the best goose dogs in the country have swam in the ponds, while hundreds of individuals have trained with us here. We love doing what we do and wouldn’t trade it for the world.

KENT

Kent Kuykendall was born into shepherding, always on a farm and around working Border Collies, learning a good bit from his dad, there is no better trainer in the goose dog industry than Kent. His methods have been adopted over 60 years. He’s a trainer that is not too proud to listen to other top individuals in this country and abroad, he’s collaborated with several to form his own methods and has exceled as a trainer, handler and clinician. He’s written for the Working Border Collie Magazine, and Little Hats,” he has been written up in the Smithsonian, has been featured on Animal Planet, has been a past director for the USBCHA, was one of the founders of the NCBCA and was on the board for several years. His winnings in the sheepdog and cattledog trialing has been numerous not only at the local level and not only as a novice handler, but he’s nationally recognized for winning the 1995 Purina Award for the most outstanding field trial herding dog and the 1999 USBCHA Reserve National Champion, with “Bill” the 2000 Working Border Collie Magazine Award for the most outstanding field trial dog with “Coon” and the 2000 USBCHA Nursery Champion with “Dehl”.

GWEN

Gwen Kuykendall was born in a small New England farming community, she was involved in sheep 4-H for many years, winning the veterianery award and a trip to Washington DC on one occasion. Attending the University of Connecticut she majored in Animal Science and earned her BS in Animal Science. During her senior year she won the Little International, a high honor for an agricultural student. She worked in agricultural sales and as a shepherd for a commercial sheep farm in CT. After meeting Kent she began breeding, raising and training Border Collies and her true passion was revealed.. Together Kent and Gwen have bred some of the best dogs in the country. She competed in Novice to Open sheepdog trials and was a consistent winner but her true passion is breeding, training right there on the farm. She plays a huge part in the management duties of both businesses and fills in at goose control. When a new project needs launching she’s right there at the helm.

KARA

Kara Kuykendall was born with Border Collies by her side, and continues to house several not only as working companions but as part of her family. There’s no one more compassionate, and caring. Kara helps raise puppies, lambs and kids. Her motherly instinct allows for exceptional care, especially for the young and old. Kara plays an important part in the early years of our dogs lives, she will take them into a home environment, haul them on the road while doing goose control exposing them to city life while giving them the extra love and attention that’s required for young minds. Kara also helps manage the Goose Masters crew in the Greensboro area.

KODY

Kody Kuykendall was born the year Kent won the Purina Herding Dog of the Year, with Bill, he was on the road and had more miles under his belt then most adults today. Like his Dad, Kody, has a sixth sense when working with the dogs his natural ability has been recognized from the start. He can take a young animal and bring it along, work with some started dogs and correct issues, finish some dogs to a high level and give a superior demonstration to goose control clients, he’s a young Kent. He’s extremely observant and can spot the finer details to most things. He is a wiz at technology and helps with any new advances in the day to day operations. Kody owns his own branch of Goose Masters in Charlotte, NC.

KENNEL STAFF

We couldn’t do it without our employees, the day to day kennel management is key to a happy, healthy dog and the barn chores keep our stock in top condition so that training can be of the highest level. Some of our best help at the farm and kennel have gone on to thrive in the agricultural industry. Each and every one of them bring a wealth to the operations at Kuykendall’s Border Collies.