• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Working Dogs

F

flyingS

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
781
Location
Northern Sandhills Just East of Soapweed
I have a couple of nice border collie females that I wouldn't mind getting pups out of. I would like to find a cross that would add some aggression without losing the finess. I have been looking into crossing them with a Kelpie have also kicked around a McNabb. I have no interest in a heeler. I need a gathering dog that I can turn loose and depend on to get a job done. My dogs do a pretty fair job, I wouldn't mind them having a little more bite when cattle hold up on them or when they are working cattle that aren't dog broke. I would like something that will hold their ground and get a hold when they need to. I don't want to loose the trainability and intelligence that I have in my border collies. Not even remotely interested in a heeler or similar type dog. Anybody have any experience with Kelpies or suggestions on a cross.
 
I have Border Collies and Kelpies. There is a wide range in ability/talent in both breeds. What I would do is find a male that you *really* like- one that has the grit you need, but is not going to slash and dash and make a mess for you. That is, one with brains too. Where are you located? Also, know, that even though you pick the parents with a lot of forethought, sometimes, the pup just don't turn out. So, you could also consider getting either a started dog, or one that shows good potential.
 
We have a 3/4 Collie 1/4 Heeler or at least that is what they tell me he is. Pretty good dog for what we need. Rarely barks and can grab some hide when we need to push. Covers a lot of ground on the gather up. Scared I will loose him because he is out chasing deer and coyotes at times. He stuck his head in a connabear trap 1 1/2 years ago and was just about toast when we got him out. I was never a dog person so to speak but couldn't live with out this one. Just need another like him but scared I would get one that too chicken.
 
Just keep that stupid Boxer out of the way, and I will send Squeek up. :) I really think if I would have worked him like you do your dogs, he would be as good as yours.
 
WP I have actually milled that over for longer than you realize. I have thought for sometime that an outcross on something with a little more bite would benefit me more. When you went with me the other day I started to realize how old Maddie is getting, I better start thinking about it or I won't get a pup out of her. I feel like either one of my dogs are worth breeding.
 
Kelpies4me, I am about 30 west of Valentine, NE. I have raised a few litters in years past. That is why I want a litter out of my bitches. I can observe the pups and make my pick that way, instead of taking a chance on a pup that I haven't seen. The most expensive dog I have ever owned was raised by a friend of mine. She has pretty aggressive Border Collies and has done well in the trial world as well as using them everyday on the ranch. I let her pick the pup for me, I have a lot of faith in her knowledge. Long story short, she did have a lot of energy and lots of go, she never grew out of being a pup and she liked me more than she liked working. As long as she could stay with me she was fine, very seldom could I send her on an outrun or to gather a big pasture. My old female will gather her half or better of a big pasture and not leave a critter. She is terribly patient though and sometimes it takes her much longer than I would like.
 
I too like the idea of having a few to chose from. My best suggestion would be to find someone with dogs you like, and see them work. There are some very nice Border Collies out your way. The biggest thing is, see the dog work. So many times dogs who are perfect for their owners, are not something we would want and vice versa. Kelpie or Border Collie, as long as working to your standards, I would say either would be fine.
 
I am not a fan of either of those breeds FH. My family raised Aussies while I was growing up and I have tried to train a few since. They didn't have a very good experience and I didn't have the patience. I never have liked any kind of heeler. All the neighbors had heelers when I was growing up, most of them had an awful temperment. I saw a couple of heelers at a bucking bull sale one time that I thought knew how to do their job and they listened. Growing older my patience seems to grow thinner, it is better if I am not around one these days. If I wanted a throat dog, I think I would go back to a well bred boxer. My wife had a boxer that would make a believer out of the meanest critter you ever saw. She was unbelievably athletic, so if something got after her it was a game, one she never lost. I have kicked around a McNabb. I may have to go with what I can find. Kelpies are almost unheard of in this country.
 
Soap, I haven't ever actually kicked around a McNabb. But I have kicked around a number of heelers and Aussies :mad: . I'd like to think if you ever saw a good dog work got in a pickle and had one bale you out you would become a believer. Having said that I have had several bad experiences myself and can fully understand your distaste for cow dogs.
 
flyingS said:
Soap, I haven't ever actually kicked around a McNabb. But I have kicked around a number of heelers and Aussies :mad: . I'd like to think if you ever saw a good dog work got in a pickle and had one bale you out you would become a believer. Having said that I have had several bad experiences myself and can fully understand your distaste for cow dogs.
Click to expand...

Doug Crouse had a very good dog, Luke, that did impress me. That is about the only cowdog I've been around that did. :-) Percentage wise, this isn't very favorable. I've sure seen a heck of a lot of bad ones that caused more problems than they ever helped to solve.
 
flyingS said:
I am not a fan of either of those breeds FH. My family raised Aussies while I was growing up and I have tried to train a few since. They didn't have a very good experience and I didn't have the patience. I never have liked any kind of heeler. All the neighbors had heelers when I was growing up, most of them had an awful temperment. I saw a couple of heelers at a bucking bull sale one time that I thought knew how to do their job and they listened. Growing older my patience seems to grow thinner, it is better if I am not around one these days. If I wanted a throat dog, I think I would go back to a well bred boxer. My wife had a boxer that would make a believer out of the meanest critter you ever saw. She was unbelievably athletic, so if something got after her it was a game, one she never lost. I have kicked around a McNabb. I may have to go with what I can find. Kelpies are almost unheard of in this country.
Click to expand...

We have had many blue heelers or blue heeler crosses, females, all of them
except this dog we have now. Mr. FH is vey good with dogs and we have had
some good heelers and some not-so-good heelers. The best dog we ever had
was a yellow dog, natural bob-tail, not sure what she was. They were notorious
in SE Montana. People called them the "Birrers Dogs" after the people who
raised them. She was the best. We still miss her.

Good luck with what you are striving to do. Hard to beat a good dog.
 
I know a guy with a solid red dog who can set you up. I ain't discussing breeds, or lack thereof. He is a cow hunting fool with all the bite you will allow. He would introduce some humor to your Borders.
 
I can get you set up with a Kelpie, if that is really what you want. I watch her dogs at that dog trial we went to in Platte, and I wasn't overly impressed. They had TO much bite fore trials, and I wasn't impressed with her control. Could, and probably was the trainer as much as anything. I could also set you up with a pure bred Hangin Tree. From what I understand, Chester puts LOTS of bite in his pups. You would then have a Tators!! Or you could come get one of her pups!!
 

Latest posts

Back
Top