Known as the dog whisperer of the North State, Al Vieira has made breeding and raising dogs his life's passion and his skill has earned him national recognition. In the small town of Capay, Viera grew up learning to work dogs from his father at the early age of six. Continuing with the family tradition, he taught his son who has also taken on the family business. Al has been training stock dogs for over forty years and for Al the dogs are his life, they are like children and raising them to be ideal takes more than just talent.
Al says, “There are so many dogs that have the potential and the instinct to do something but they never have the opportunity to do it…”
Al has shared his gift with more than just the dogs. He taught at Chico State for over thirty-five years and began the stock dog program there.
Al says, “ My biggest satisfaction is working with the students and teaching the students hands on how to work with their dogs…”
The gift to connect with the dogs and train them to perfection comes from precise breeding, which has created the famous Diamond Dogs, who come at a high price.
Trained border collies like this take two to three years to train, however they can sell for up to 20,000 dollars. But the money isn’t what drives Al’s passion.
Al explains, “The biggest thing is enjoying what you do”
Al’s biggest supporter is his wife, Stacie, who has been with him for over nineteen years after meeting him through his dogs.
Stacie says, “Al and I met through the dogs so I kinda fit right in…I am very proud of what he has done and his accomplishments… and I think the legacy is a lot of students he has trained….”
Yet for Al there is always room for improvement, to be better in understanding each dog individually.
He says that, “You’re learning all the time.”
But Al has not only raised dogs, he also trained two coyotes to work on disney productions.
