Stock Dogs

We use Border Collies and Kelpies, and crosses between those two breeds. The dogs have to be fast and get to the head.

The border collies tend to be easier to get a handle on but do not have the endurance of the kelpies. The kelpie strains we use are more aggressive with wild cattle than the border collies.

It is tough to have the perfect dog to work cattle, sheep and goats in the brush, in open fields or in pens so we use different dogs for different jobs.

We have some good dogs but they aren't as fancy as some or as well controlled. It seems that about the time your dog is trained just right he gets old. These hill ranches aren't meant for old dogs. By 9 or 10, they really start slowing down in the rough terrain. As we cross-fence our pastures into smaller paddocks it will give the old dogs a longer working life which will be welcome for dog and man.

Every one in the family has their own dogs, and are very much part of our daily life. I am not sure we would be in the livestock business if we couldn't have our dogs and horses.

(See: HORSES).