I can not praise myBorder Colliesenough . As a small Fannie Farmer , a single woman in the country and a custodian of sheep over the retiring decade — I accredit these dogs with making every view of farm aliveness well-situated .
They are amazing and clever companions , as well as expert problem solver and heavy worker . They are vigilant guard dogs , always ready to announce a person at the threshold or a stray fauna in the pasture .
And above all , they make managing a sheepherder ’s mickle , irrespective of size of it , easier .
A Starter Dog
When I commence raise sheep a decade ago , I did so with a Border Collie puppy by my side .
Gibson came from an Idaho sheepdog trainer and trial competitor . This flight simulator ’s frank were bred for their ability to herd . That is what I desire above any other trait in a dog .
Being new to all scene of farming , I see to the wiseness of the sheep and sheepdog breeding community . When I had my puppy , we took regular herding lessons and learned the basic principle . It ’s something I suggest to every shepherd with a herding dog on their payroll .
That summer of driving teo hours ( one way ) to learn from a dependant herding teacher changed my entire living with my farm frank . Turning him from a sometimes - utile pet to a key part that supports everyday oeuvre .
Read more : Make certain you feed your farm dogs right so they get the right nutrition .
An Excellent Shepherd
My dog learn to collect and return isolated sheep back to me from Accho out . He was able to hold sheep back when I was serving grain . He serve me find lamb born in a stale wintertime field .
If a sheep was down or sick , he let me get it on at once . I know that a Border Collie is n’t a requirement for everyone out there elicit sheep , but I can not imagine homesteading without them .
Easy to prepare , happy to please , and willing to put in the kind of effort most human farmers could only dream of , they are a joy and a natural endowment .
A Quick Caveat
That say , they are not the best dogs for every farm , even ones that raise sheep . Border Collies do need a task to remain stimulated and content . But in my opinion they postulate their farmer even more .
I suspect that a Border Collie would be well-chosen in a one - room studio flat with a freelance that is home all day beside them and accept them on a 5k streamlet every morning than a granger that leaves for oeuvre for 10 hours a day and keeps them locked indoors .
In the latter scenario ( or similar position ) , a less - intense breed of herding detent or an outside livestock guardian may be a better alternative .
take more : Not a heel person ? stress a guard peacock !
Satisfying Moments Ahead
But if you are a person ready for a partnership , an intense James Bond and a commitment to this breed , then you are in for so many substantial moment on your farm .
And the community of people that breed , raise and train these dogs is awful ! I have never fall across a sheep hotdog trial that was n’t a lieu of warm comradeliness .
Even if competing is the last thing you want to do , a well - discipline and hardworking collie is a wages in itself . land is easier , the livestock is better managed , and you — the little James Leonard Farmer — get to take part in a special flake of farming history .
Enjoy every moment of it together !
