At the heart of Outriders is Cam—a Vietnam veteran, scientist in reproductive science at Texas Tech, rancher, and lifelong student of working cattle dogs. His years running ranches in North Dakota gave him the opportunity to work these dogs where their ability truly matters: around cattle, in rough country, and in the kind of situations where a ranch dog has to think, work, and have the grit to stay with the job.

Over the years, Cam became devoted to developing and preserving the qualities he valued most in these dogs. Outriders is about the crossed-up ranch dog with instinct, intelligence, toughness, and an honest desire to work.

In Memory of Sheila

But Outriders is also a love story.

Cam’s late wife, Sheila Treeby, was there alongside these dogs and became an essential part of what Outriders would eventually become. Sheila lovingly nursed two separate litters of ranch dogs and, even during the final months of her struggle with her heart, continued caring for three two-year-old siblings from their second litter. She loved those dogs as part of the family. 

Sheila is remembered as the pioneer of the Outriders Ranch Dog Association and the driving force behind its development.

Her memory remains part of the association’s purpose. Outriders is working to help the next generation of ranch kids get involved with working dogs, including a memorial effort in Sheila’s name intended to provide registration waivers for young ranch dog owners 18 and under. 

Outriders exists to keep the working ranch dog working—to preserve the instinct, grit, and willingness that can’t always be measured by a pedigree, but can be seen the moment a good dog meets a cow.