That is exactly it in a nutshell
The price of dogs. . . . .
- Thread starter CopperBeech
- Start date
But when you're working dogs you're a team.
I help my neighbour on the moor and he has 2 dogs. 1 is a bit away with the fairies, but 1 is, in fact, bloody excellent.
Shame he (farmer) can't anticipate what sheep or dog is going to do and ends up going round sheep on quad with 2 dogs within 20 yards of it. If he'd leave either 1 dog at home, get off his arse and walk, and actually work his dog, job'd be a guddun.
I help my neighbour on the moor and he has 2 dogs. 1 is a bit away with the fairies, but 1 is, in fact, bloody excellent.
Shame he (farmer) can't anticipate what sheep or dog is going to do
and ends up going round sheep on quad with 2 dogs within 20 yards of it. If he'd leave either 1 dog at home, get off his arse and walk, and actually work his dog, job'd be a guddun.Happy at it
Member
- Location
- NI
I'd look about getting something from a farmer instead of a trial man in it for the money. So many chancers looking for big money for nothing at present...
CharcoalWally
Member
- Location
- West of Scotland
I've never spent more than £80 on a pup. That's the current black dog , my most expensive purchase.
I've never bought a part trained dog , don't want one , don't want a dog that's picked up bad habits off someone else.
I know nothing about training a dog to trial standards but that's not what the on farm job is about. I want us out to that field with the ewes and lambs in as quick as possible with as little stress to the sheep , dogs and man as we can manage.
If you're lucky enough to have a run of decent dogs , then the job should be easier for the next pup , as the sheep have been trained to work by the previous dog ; and respect the next one.
If the new dog isn't up to it , accept it and move on.
I've never bought a part trained dog , don't want one , don't want a dog that's picked up bad habits off someone else.
I know nothing about training a dog to trial standards but that's not what the on farm job is about. I want us out to that field with the ewes and lambs in as quick as possible with as little stress to the sheep , dogs and man as we can manage.
If you're lucky enough to have a run of decent dogs , then the job should be easier for the next pup , as the sheep have been trained to work by the previous dog ; and respect the next one.
If the new dog isn't up to it , accept it and move on.
What's that the dog or you Dai ?
seriously though our best dog was never trained the best thing to do was shut up as she knew what to do better than us that was cattle though and she was a border collie, she was training a young dog up quite nicely but he died and time we got a replacement she had died as well,
RedMerle
Member
When I think about the type of handler I aspire to be it's the guys who run at the International who have maybe two or three dogs and they are the dogs they use every day for work and they then trial them.
I'm no longer impressed by the 'I sold a dog to Kevin Evans for 2000' brigade who think that now puts them on the same level as him. it's amazing even living in the arse end of nowhere how many people spin that story to try impress me into buying one of their dogs they are trying to palm off.
I'm no longer impressed by the 'I sold a dog to Kevin Evans for 2000' brigade who think that now puts them on the same level as him. it's amazing even living in the arse end of nowhere how many people spin that story to try impress me into buying one of their dogs they are trying to palm off.
I'd be happy buying from a trialler (I am a farmer and trialler myself), most people train in the same way if they are training to sell rather than to keep anyway so the dogs arent that much different. The only difference to me is that some folk might be pricing them differently than others and that can be true of both trial men and farmers.
- Location
- Ceredigion, wales
Main thing to be aware of when buying a dog is that a good handler, whether they're trialers or farmers, can make a very average dog look good.
i have people asking about dogs all the time whilst dipping and everybody wants to buy a trained one,i do sell one or two occasionaly but always try to convince them they would be better with a pup so they learn together, plenty of people arnt capable of working a dog,a chap offered me £4000 for my good bitch the other day and i said she wouldnt ever be for sale its not the money its how the hell would i ever manage without her,you cannot put a value on them
This is very true. I am starting with my first dog and having some training sessions with her breeder. The both me and the dog are only part trained (which is why I'm having the lessons) but it always amazes me how well she goes with her breeder within a few minutes. He could have sold her to me as work ready dog for much more money and just walked away.
Good thread! I just train my own dogs from pups, just work dogs because I'd grudge spending £1200 on a dog that'll never really be mine. All my dogs are the type that would sell for £800 but cost £2500 to replace! A lot to be said for the bond you get with a pup you rear.