Sheep dog

[The law of sod]

Having always managed sheep without the use of a dog,

I am now considering getting one after helping out a friend ,who had a collie bitch in training,
I can see a big benefit of having one.

I have only got a small flock of around a 100,
The one thing that has stopped me in the past ,is not Having enough work for it.

I dont want a underworked bored dog.
anybody have a similar sized flock and a working dog,if so how do you get on.
I have always had and have dogs around (labradors and cockers)but never a working sheep dog breed.


Any advice Is welcomed!

 

[scottish-lleyn]

Training a sheepdog is very rewarding but hard work. 100 sheep is plenty just have some sheep handy to give it a run everyday and let it wander about the rest of the time.

 

[Dry Rot]

As you've mentioned yourself, the trouble with a smaller flock on a small place is that (in my experience!) the dog can go 'stir crazy' and sour. The sheep get used to moving between fields when a gate is opened and the dog is not used. Or the sheep get used to the dog. Essential to work a young dog on fresh sheep and on strange ground occasionally. Maybe better with a semi retired older dog?

 

[Nithsdale]

I'd suggest trying to find an old dog needing an easier life


Know exactly where you're coming from not wanting to waste a dog with not enough work

 

[Turkish_FR]

For protection Kangal or Akbas but you cant train them, still they have some instincts to hold the herd together.

3 Wolves vs 2 Kangals

 

[The law of sod]

Thanks for the reply's,

as said i don’t want a underworked dog
That will start being troublesome,
My ground is on a very busy footpath with alot of dog walkers and also got young kids round the place,so letting it wonder wouldn't be an option.

i would lean towards a pup as i enjoyed training my current dogs,
my two current dogs stay with me all day but thats mainly in the workshop ,with a morning and afternoon wonder round the fields check sheep/walk.

any advice on a breed ?
would a kelpie be less hyperactive than a collie,
My Main reason looking at getting a dog is for gathering and catch /trip a single ewe out in field.
Wouldnt need one for any yard work as always got a couple of us,

 

[Woolless]

I would tend to avoid a Border Collie, from what you say. I have two Collie x Huntaways. Lack of a big, sweeping outrun is their downside but they're good closer at hand, love to catch and the older one in particular will work in the pens all day. Best of all, they have lovely natures and can switch off when there's no work. Still need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation like any working type dog.

 

[Wishful Thinker]

Used to have 100 ewes and kept the dog going the best. Was usually feeding something so let him run out to gather.
Only 20 now which isn’t much use, he wants to gather anything that moves, can keep him in work with cattle over summer but he’s a nightmare at this time of year.

 

[Nithsdale]

For field work and catching, stick to a Collie. Border is the go to, but if you'd fancy something slightly different then a Rough Collie (do you remember Lassie?) could be a good choice (there's a lass on Instagram uses them and I'm very impressed).


I've never worked a Kelpie, but from my limited experience of being around them, they're nice dogs, more of a yard dog though (I would like to have one for backing) - but they yap constantly which really gets on my nerve

 

[Nithsdale]

I would tend to avoid a Border Collie, from what you say. I have two Collie x Huntaways. Lack of a big, sweeping outrun is their downside but they're good closer at hand, love to catch and the older one in particular will work in the pens all day. Best of all, they have lovely natures and can switch off when there's no work. Still need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation like any working type dog.

Surprised you say avoid them - for 100 ewes inbye I'd say the collie is what you need...

 

[Dry Rot]

Going and working someone else's young sheep occasionally is almost a sport in itself, certainly often a social event. Next thing is the many small local sheepdog trials. Might be worth getting involved in if you like bringing on young dogs. There's always Indian Runner ducks too!

 

[Woolless]

Surprised you say avoid them - for 100 ewes inbye I'd say the collie is what you need...

My concern would be the way some collies just can't switch off and are a bit neurotic and nippy. Not every collie obviously.

 

[Nithsdale]

My concern would be the way some collies just can't switch off and are a bit neurotic and nippy. Not every collie obviously.

That's a fair point

 

[An ancient git]

It's temperament of the dogs that is crucial ! My last collie was useful , but didn't give a sh1t if he didn't see a sheep for months ! I stopped bothering to have a collie etc , as all ring-fenced and my homebred ewes know where they are supposed to go . I don't vary the routines too much , or it can go awry ... Always leave odd cull ewes and a few old girls with any weaned lambs ; they bring them home no probs . Even got a 'retired' 11 year old ewe , that is quiet and knows the score , and she brings all home . A lot cheaper and easier than keeping a dog !! Some haylage and a multivax annually keeps her going and happy !!

 

[Kazak]

Running 130 ewes here and have 1 dog and training a pup atm.
In fairness i like training dogs so always bring them out. But i can see if i wasnt into it they would be worked occasionally which is not that great.
Training dogs is an interest for me but can be a pain for other people.
Depends on yourself really not that much on the number of sheep.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

https://www.facebook.com/625330517/posts/10156477607970518

Emma and Meg have just won the Northumberland championship and I think Meg is going to the skippton auction, she already has the world record price for a sheep dog from a couple of years ago, maybe out of your price bracket a wee bit [emoji848]

 

[neilo]

A collie every time imo. All the Kelpies, Huntaways or crosses thereof that I have seen, have been very active dogs that need work, lots of work.

Personally, I can’t imagine working sheep without dogs. I know you can train/bribe sheep to come to a feed sack, but surely little puts a smile on your face more than watching dogs work a flock? I say that as someone who prefers cats to dogs, but good dogs that live to please you are a joy to have around.

 

[Woolless]

A collie every time imo. All the Kelpies, Huntaways or crosses thereof that I have seen, have been very active dogs that need work, lots of work.

Personally, I can’t imagine working sheep without dogs. I know you can train/bribe sheep to come to a feed sack, but surely little puts a smile on your face more than watching dogs work a flock? I say that as someone who prefers cats to dogs, but good dogs that live to please you are a joy to have around.

Didn't have you down as a cat person! I'm picturing you as Blofeld now, plotting domination of the Charollais breed while stroking your white pussy...

 

[The law of sod]

Thank for the reply’s
I think i will look after my friends collie for a week ,when there next away and see how we get on.

on another note, i cant see any threads with any videos of members working dogs,

Does Anybody have any videos they wouldn’t mind uploading?
I would enjoy seeing the different breeds working.

 

[Keepers]

For field work and catching, stick to a Collie. Border is the go to, but if you'd fancy something slightly different then a Rough Collie (do you remember Lassie?) could be a good choice (there's a lass on Instagram uses them and I'm very impressed).

He’s not a type of dog for small amounts of work and he is always in ultimate guard dog mode..., he’s getting older and slower now but still works every day and does all of the yard work