working stockdogs

[stckdg]

I will be coming back to the USA this spring and was just feeling out the market to bring back some cattle working dogs. Curly was of the opinion of free is better but....

Just wondering if there is interest in good honest tough Kelpies still in the States.....

 

[kelpies4me]

What's the breeding of the Kelpies?

 

[RMUG]

I will be coming back to the USA this spring and was just feeling out the market to bring back some cattle working dogs. Curly was of the opinion of free is better but....

Just wondering if there is interest in good honest tough Kelpies still in the States.....

I'm intersted,

its been 15 yrs since I had a kelpie.

now I have 2 good & reliable blue heeler / aussie shepherds that are nearly 10. & a young red mcnab border collie slick dog & shes good.

 

[kelpies4me]

There are some good Kelpies in the USA, and some good ones in Australia. My girl is imported. It is not cheap to import (about $1300) plus the cost of the dog. If you are interested in a Kelpie, you need to decide what you want the dog to do. There are paddock and yard types. Paddock types work very similarly to Border Collies in field work, and don't bark. Yard type Kelpies will bark, and have lots of push, but lack in the style department. Yard type Kelpies are very popular now due to all the yard trials. If you search youtube, you will see some vids of yard trial work. My bench is paddock bred. She doesn't bark, has good style, and has very good confidence in up close work- has good force, and enjoys a challenge (if you know what I mean).

I have a blog dedicated to my Kelpie Lucy. If you are interested, there is an interview I did with a woman named Erin Caterson, who has been in Kelpies since the early 60's.

http://kelpiematrix.blogspot.com

(ps: to the admins, if the blog address isn't allowed, I will remove it

 

[PPRM]

My suspicion is Dogs are similar to Horses, help, friends and family..... Good ones that help are always a welcome sight,

PPRM

 

[Soapweed]

My suspicion is Dogs are similar to Horses, help, friends and family..... Good ones that help are always a welcome sight,

PPRM

And have you found that the opposite is also true? :roll: :wink:

 

[kelpies4me]

Well, yes, in both human and animal My first real job my boss said one thing that set in to motion a way to "be" for the rest of my life.

He was working on a horse (he's a large animal vet), and I was just watching :roll:

He said "don't just stand there with your hands in your pockets".

Since I idolized him, it stuck, and that's my mantra. This is one of the reasons I like Kelpies- they just get it done.

 

[WyomingRancher]

My suspicion is Dogs are similar to Horses, help, friends and family..... Good ones that help are always a welcome sight,

PPRM

Pretty neat when you get a good one though . This morning I changed feed grounds, and although it wasn't far away, about 1/2 - 3/4 mile, with the topography the cows coudn't see me, and generally don't like to go this new way. My Casey dog took off, gathered, and brought them to me before I even knew she'd left. They would've probably started to come once they heard the tractor, but it was still cool to have a dog almost read your mind... once again humbled for the day :lol:.

I used to not like dogs either, but when you're in timber and rocks without help, you soon figure out the value of a dog :wink: . Now I MUCH prefer working cattle alone, with my dogs, than having people around .

 

[kelpies4me]

I had my kelpie bench out for training. While I hid, the trainer worked her for me. She had my dog get the sheep out of the woods, and then we stopped for a minute to go over things. All of a sudden my bench ran off into the woods- I had no idea what she was doing. I thought "oh great, she's after a squirrel". Both the trainer and I watched. Over the crest of the hill came three sheep, with my dog behind them. Apparently three were left, and she can count, and went and got them, without any request from me. This is the stuff I most value in a good dog.

 

[PPRM]

My suspicion is Dogs are similar to Horses, help, friends and family..... Good ones that help are always a welcome sight,

PPRM

And have you found that the opposite is also true? :roll: :wink:

We, there always is that prodigal one...LOL,

PPRM

 

[George]

I have had several good dogs - - - But I had one great one and untill you have had that experience you don't know what a good thing a good dog can be.

 

[Soapweed]

I have had several good dogs - - - But I had one great one and untill you have had that experience you don't know what a good thing a good dog can be.

I've had several dogs that were pretty ordinary and run of the mill. They always had the cattle distraught and me mad. :wink: It is so much more fun having calm cattle, good horses, and no dogs--for me, at least.

Our two dogs have the run of the whole ranch, but they are good at staying in the house yard. They meet us at the gate, love to be petted, but when we quit, they don't keep "hounding" us for more pets. They don't jump up on us, either. One of my "pet" peeves is dogs that jump up on people or vie for attention when the recipient does not wish to give it. :roll: Oh, and did I mention that I dislike dog hair on couches and pickup seats. :wink:

 

[George]

A good cow dog is like any other tool - - - you need to know how to use it. I'll bet the first time you rode a horse you thought you could get accross the yard better on foot. The same if you try to work cattle the first time on a horse that has never seen a cow- - - -either you or the horse needs to know what to do.

You need to go to someone who has really good working dogs ( not pets they are proud of ) and observe. If you took that person and dog to your operation you would need a short learning period for your cattle - -- - it all needs to be a team.

I walk or ride right thru my cattle ( depending on how close to the house ) and my dogs are with me. The cattle quickly learn the dogs and completely ignore them ( although let a strange dog come around and they will chase the dog ) untill it is time to cut an animal out or move the entire herd.

I make sure my dogs give way to cows with new calves but still move the rest of the herd and put minimal pressure on all.

It is nice to move a herd with just my dogs. Most times I prefer it to human help. Dogs listen better than most people and do not try to do it their way.

As for dog hair, my dogs ride in the back of the truck and are trained to not get out unless the tailgate is opened. They also do not come in the house ( do you bring your horses in ? ) One of my females spent 6 years as a guard dog on an Army base and most people do not get out of their cars untill someone comes to the door and calls the dogs off.

I have signs posted guard dogs on duty and when someone reads this and is greeted by 4 german shepards most think twice about just bounding out of their cars. And yes German Shepards make great cattle dogs with a little help. I like them much better than the smaller hyper active dogs. My dogs make little noise and work as a pack. When I started the female I bought from the army I had to work her on a long line about 2 weeks as she thought she needed to protect me from these large animals and thought she needed to kill them. In about 1 week she was working well but I kept her on the line another week for my piece of mind. You should have seen her training her pups a year later! Yes old dogs can learn and teach as well.

In the last month home breakins have gone up a lot but so far I have not been bothered. People can not decide if I'm home or not as I always park inside and my driveway is 1/2 mile long with no other good escape with out going thru several gates. Then most people still remember my days on the Sheriff's Dept and I make it a point to let the local rif raff see the 38 special on my leg while eating at the local dinner.

For Christmas my daughter wants a lifetime consealed weapon permitt. Yes Santa will bring it! Go to my website www.greensboro-sand-gravel.com and you will see her in her dress blues!

 

[WyomingRancher]

I've had several dogs that were pretty ordinary and run of the mill. They always had the cattle distraught and me mad. :wink: It is so much more fun having calm cattle, good horses, and no dogs--for me, at least.

I hear you there! Nothing is worse than having cows upset with a dog :? . When I first started using dogs, I had to train the cows at the same time, and it wasn't pretty... plenty of dog-haters in the bunch. Over time, they got better with my dog, and each fall I'd train the replacements with dogs so they learned how to respect them. After a few years, you've got a pretty dog-broke herd, and it's a lot of fun to work your cattle, horse, and dogs together .

I've got good control over my dogs in case I have to shut them down before a wreck occurs.:wink:. For instance, the other permittee's cattle HATE my dogs and so my dogs have learned to stay back (and in some cases that means 1/10+ mile back, and trail behind us) and let her dogs work the cows. Kinda defeats the purpose of a dog :lol:, but it beats a bunch of bawling cows. We could take time and train on her cows, but it isn't worth it to me since our cattle stay separated in the pasture most of the time.

So Soapweed, I'm sure after reading this you'll be running out to get you a new cowdog :lol: ... What's that you say???...YES, I could hear your response clear over here in Wyoming, and I'll take that as a NO! :lol:

 

[Soapweed]

I've had several dogs that were pretty ordinary and run of the mill. They always had the cattle distraught and me mad. :wink: It is so much more fun having calm cattle, good horses, and no dogs--for me, at least.

I hear you there! Nothing is worse than having cows upset with a dog :? . When I first started using dogs, I had to train the cows at the same time, and it wasn't pretty... plenty of dog-haters in the bunch. Over time, they got better with my dog, and each fall I'd train the replacements with dogs so they learned how to respect them. After a few years, you've got a pretty dog-broke herd, and it's a lot of fun to work your cattle, horse, and dogs together .

I've got good control over my dogs in case I have to shut them down before a wreck occurs.:wink:. For instance, the other permittee's cattle HATE my dogs and so my dogs have learned to stay back (and in some cases that means 1/10+ mile back, and trail behind us) and let her dogs work the cows. Kinda defeats the purpose of a dog :lol:, but it beats a bunch of bawling cows. We could take time and train on her cows, but it isn't worth it to me since our cattle stay separated in the pasture most of the time.

So Soapweed, I'm sure after reading this you'll be running out to get you a new cowdog :lol: ... What's that you say???...YES, I could hear your response clear over here in Wyoming, and I'll take that as a NO! :lol:

You have real good ears. You heard me just right.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

You keep hangin' around with this bunch and you'll get a hankerin' for a cowdog, Soap. :wink:

Notice how many times you responded just to this thread.

 

[gcreekrch]

Although it is difficult to convert the convinced, I will add my piece.

Soap, as much of a stockman as you are if you ever took it upon yourself to learn what a good dog can do for you and took the time to make one, I think you would be pleasantly suprised at what a help they are. They are the only hired help you can vent all your anger on and still be willing to work for you without predudice. All they ask is a few words of encouragement, the odd pat on the head, room and board, and all the work you can give them.
Personnally, I would be lost without my dogs.
On the negative side, your horses will never be as good as when you don't have a good dog. :wink:

 

[Soapweed]

You keep hangin' around with this bunch and you'll get a hankerin' for a cowdog, Soap. :wink:

Notice how many times you responded just to this thread.

Actually, one winter day a couple years ago, I took the pup General with me feeding. Guess I did have a momentary memory malfunction because for a brief instant I thought it would be cool to "bond" with him and have a buddy to go along feeding. That turned into a real disaster, and he even barfed on the pickup seat. When I got back to the house, he got out of the pickup. I've never invited him to go along since, and he has expressed no desire to accompany me. We still get along pretty good. We have an understanding. He doesn't jump up on me (or anyone else), and I pet his head at least three times a week. Under these conditions we tolerate each other quite well.

 

[WyomingRancher]

You keep hangin' around with this bunch and you'll get a hankerin' for a cowdog, Soap. :wink:

Notice how many times you responded just to this thread.

Actually, one winter day a couple years ago, I took the pup General with me feeding. Guess I did have a momentary memory malfunction because for a brief instant I thought it would be cool to "bond" with him and have a buddy to go along feeding. That turned into a real disaster, and he even barfed on the pickup seat. When I got back to the house, he got out of the pickup. I've never invited him to go along since, and he has expressed no desire to accompany me. We still get along pretty good. We have an understanding. He doesn't jump up on me (or anyone else), and I pet his head at least three times a week. Under these conditions we tolerate each other quite well.

gcreek, we really have our work cut out for us to get this guy convinced :lol: . If only General could give us his version of the story...it must have been pretty bad if he ended up barfing all over the seat :lol: .

I agree with you though, as good of a stockman as Soapweed is, once he got it figured out, there would be no telling what all he could get done with a dog :wink: .

What's that Soapweed??? Even with a strong west wind, I think I'm hearing the word "NO" from the east again :lol: .

 

[gcreekrch]

You keep hangin' around with this bunch and you'll get a hankerin' for a cowdog, Soap. :wink:

Notice how many times you responded just to this thread.

Actually, one winter day a couple years ago, I took the pup General with me feeding. Guess I did have a momentary memory malfunction because for a brief instant I thought it would be cool to "bond" with him and have a buddy to go along feeding. That turned into a real disaster, and he even barfed on the pickup seat. When I got back to the house, he got out of the pickup. I've never invited him to go along since, and he has expressed no desire to accompany me. We still get along pretty good. We have an understanding. He doesn't jump up on me (or anyone else), and I pet his head at least three times a week. Under these conditions we tolerate each other quite well.

gcreek, we really have our work cut out for us to get this guy convinced :lol: . If only General could give us his version of the story...it must have been pretty bad if he ended up barfing all over the seat :lol: .

I agree with you though, as good of a stockman as Soapweed is, once he got it figured out, there would be no telling what all he could get done with a dog :wink: .

What's that Soapweed??? Even with a strong west wind, I think I'm hearing the word "NO" from the east again :lol: .

What Soap hasn't realized is that if he (Soap) would have got sick on the seat General would have gladly cleaned it up!

Dogs are like kids and horses, they are only as good as the effort you put in them. :wink: