Why We Need Cowdogs
by: Len Dalton
Cowdogs are revolutionizing the cattle ranching business today.A new way of moving cattle from one point to another efficiently and without loss of weight to the cattle. He can also be a companion and partner to us while performing this difficult and demanding work. He eliminates the need for us to race our four-wheelers and horses through rough country endangering our welfare. Truly, a gentleman's way of working cattle. The old stigma of dogs chasing, barking and biting cattle, out of control, is disappearing. The rancher that has done some research is quite amazed at the ease of controlling his stock with one or two dogs.
Breeding for Cowdogs is very important. The odds of finding one is greatly reduced if we do not pay attention to our breeding program. The day of breeding a dog to our neighbor's dog that we "heard" was a good dog is over if we expect to produce a good cowdog. Cowdogs need to be bold and willing to bite cattle when necessary to control them. The two breeds I find suitable for this work is the Border Collie and Aus. Kelpie. They are bred with great herding instinct and ease of being trained. Having said this, I must mention that few make good, tough cowdogs. Picking through a quantity of dogs to find those suitable is exhausting and disappointing work.
Training a cowdog takes several months for it to be under control, thus allowing the rancher who owns it to be successful. Most ranchers do not want to be dog trainers so need a dog that knows the basics well, and will adapt to them and the different task at hand. The buyer needs to have some knowledge of how to handle a dog, what it's limitations are, the procedure in which to work cattle successfully etc. This knowledge can be learned in a short time.
DALTON'S COWDOGS
www.daltonscowdogs.com
