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Barnyard Buddies:  I'm thinking about a herd dog puppy...  |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 09 2010 : 2:51:32 PM
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I don't know which breed of dog I want yet... Maybe a border collie...I think they are kind of nervy, but they do work very well and hard at herding sheep and goats...Any comments on herding dogs? I want a puppy real bad and need one that I can train to help me on the farm here.
I'm getting too old and plump to chase the little devils around by myself  
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2010 : 3:07:42 PM
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I've had Border Collies, queenlands heelers and a Aussie, of the 3 differant breeds; the borders are the most even tempered, heelers can be snappy when they are working, and the aussie has alot more hair to contend with, had to keep her oiled to prevent stickers from balling/matting up her coat. If I had to choose between these 3 breeds, it would be a border.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Faransgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
895 Posts
Beth
Houston
Texas
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2010 : 6:14:17 PM
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i have a border collie mix and she is lovely. She does herd - everything - including my children but she does it gently and I never taught her how. She just does it. She is sweet, even tempered but a little fearful of people. I contribute that to the fact that she is a rescue and was in an abusive situation before we got her. She did bite a man once but he came after her with a hammer. Other than that one incident she has been great. I have seen her "working" everything from my kids to my horses. She is great and easy to keep.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
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simone947
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
sarah
peru
NY
34 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2010 : 11:39:01 AM
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| we own 2 Australian cattle dogs and i've worked with and my best friend owns a border collie. i think you have to have the right personality for a herding dog and lots of time. if you don't give them something to do they find something to do and often times it can be destructive. My annie (an ACD) is the love of my life and has no fear when it comes to working around animals and she's just the right size (35lbs and she comes up to my knee)and you can just see her thinking all the time. right now she looks like she's trying to find a way to get up on the mantle. our other cattle dog is a male and rougher with the animals then annie- he also has issues with kids- he was a rescue, but i think it has more to do with his herding instinct then anything else. annie is perfectly fine around kids. |
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2010 : 1:03:35 PM
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our farm dog was cosmo, a pyrenes, who died a few weeks ago
i really havent even been able to talk much about it. she was 15 years old and retired. in her day she was very protective of our goats, but we do not have sheep and she did not herd. my husband and i both have seen her deal with coyotes several times.
i have been told that you cant use the aussies with goats cause they will just worry them to death, but i dont know. i just know as far as protection goes i vote for the pyrenes.
she was just a sweetheart and really kept the farm free of predators.
love
frannie in texas
home of "green"crafts,
where no scrap is left behind
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/)
www.angeltree.etsy.com
check out the farm at:
www.localharvest.org/farms/M24434 |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2010 : 1:48:10 PM
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As far as protection for my animals, also great as a guardian dog is the Anatolian Shepard.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2010 : 2:47:07 PM
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The Anatolian and the GP are great guard dogs but if you want a herding dog, these breeds are NOT your answer. They are both great dogs. I have an Austrian Cattle dog and they are good with cattle but too much for the sheep. I would also like to get a dog that would bring in the sheep in the evening, I too am getting to old to walk out and herd the flock in. I do have a big bell that I ring and most of the time, the flock will come running when they hear the bell. I started out by ringing the bell when I put out grain for the flock in the feeders. Sometimes I have trouble with some of the ewes going to the back of the place and when I ring the bell, they don't come in....then I have to walk out and get them. I have 2 big GP to protect the flock and I plan to go to shows where they are working with the sheep with their dogs and ask questions this summer. Good luck, hope you find the dog you need.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
Edited by - Keeper of the Past on Jan 12 2010 7:57:14 PM |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2909 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2909 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2010 : 4:52:20 PM
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For goats you want a LGD(livestock guard dog) like the Great Pyrenees. A herding dog is not recommended for goats as they will run them & run them & may actually be a detriment. I only have 2 goats & they are in a large run area, but my friend who has a larger herd on 50 acres has several Pyrenees & they are so good with the goats. Very protective & they follow & guard them wherever they go.
We have 2 Aussies, & they are super smart & herd EVERYTHING..us, the 4 wheeler, every car they see, the other dogs, you name it. We have 4 acres invisible fenced so they can RUN & RUN! Teresa is right though, while their longer fur is great here right now (single digits), it does get matted if not properly maintained. They are super dogs though. So loyal & super intelligent.
While I love all dogs.. to me there is nothing like a Dane, but I am afraid the only thing they would herd is the couch. |
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Faransgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
895 Posts
Beth
Houston
Texas
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2010 : 6:50:04 PM
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I'm with you on the Danes. I love my boarder collie/mix and my lab/mix but the three Danes are awesome. But, the only thing they herd is the couch or the sunny spot in the back yard. I have one that chases squirrels but she never ever catches one. She sure does know how to appreciate the sun though LOL.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2010 : 6:52:40 PM
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The South African Goverment inported several Anatolian Sheperds because the goat losses to cheetah's were huge. Since introducing them and raiseing them with the flocks, there has been no more loss's. Th edogs bring the flocks out to graze in the morn, and bring them back in at night, without any human help. The anatolian Sheperd comes from Turkey, and guarded their sheep and goats from wolves. They have no fear, and will kill a predator without any problem, anything they are raised with, adults, kids, horses, goats , sheep , and so on, they will guard.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2010 : 8:02:36 PM
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Does anyone have a Corgie? What does a Dane look like?
My GP are crossed with Maramen and Anatolian came from a fellow that raises over 700 goats. He has several of thes big dogs to keep his flock safe on over 350 acres.
I posted some new pictures of Sadie and Lady on my blog, they are growing so fast!
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 03:49:36 AM
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NNNOOOOOOO!
I'm joking when I say this, but the !@#$ border collie gets way too much press! (They are good dogs, but need a job and are too smart for their own good sometimes). As a sheep herding dog breed owner, I hear all kinds of stuff about these dogs, and nothing about the Belgians. That's kind of why I like them, b/c they are a bit more rare to find.....but equally as superior in their herding abilities too without being so high strung and neurotic.
Look into the Belgian breeds :) They are just as quick, very well tempered, excellent herders and great family pets.
I have a Tervuren and have been an owner of this breed for 15 years.
The all black version is the Gronendal, and the more well known version is the Malanois. (mal en wa). These and the Lakenois are a little more snappy and not as good with children. So the better bets are the first 2 mentioned
The guard dogs mentioned are good for guarding but are not suited for strangers who may visit and definitely a no no for small kids...unles they are WELL conditioned.
Do lots of research and find a pup that will suit your needs
And remember, the first 3-4 months are the most impressionable to a pup, so it all must be good and positive with LOTS of exposure to EVERYTHING! |
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Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 06:21:30 AM
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I have a Corgi/Australian Shepherd rescue that naturally herds everything and everyone! It is born in them and they do need a job. Your farm sounds like the perfect place for one. Whatever breed you decide on I hope that you try and rescue one. Go to petfinder.org and put in your zip code and the breed you are looking for. That site is awesome and will help a dog that really needs a home.
Why not go out on a limb, that's where all the fruit is! "Mark Twain"
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
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Barnyard Buddies: I'm thinking about a herd dog puppy... |
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I'm thinking about a herd dog puppy...
