Anyone else here have an Australian Cattle dog?

[chickenjones]

Here are some pics of our Bailey. She is almost 13 and is pretty lazy most days. She is the smartest dog we have ever had, leaves the chickens alone and is great with our kids. We are thinking of getting another one to specifically train to keep watch over the chickens. Bailey doesn't do much anymore but she will stop on a dime and completely obey what we tell her do, unlike our OTHER DOG, the basset mix, Molly who could care less. LOL

Here she is ignoring the chickens

This was after she alerted us that we'd caught a possum in the trap. She hates them and really would have liked to killed it herself!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I had a rottie and loved her so much. Had to put her down at 10 1/2 several years ago.

When I got my first horse that was a little green and didn't like going out on the trail by herself, I adopted a blue ACD (mix) from the shelter at 6 months old.

I was surprised to discover from day one, she knew what to do around the horses with no training. At the time, I was boarding my horse at Co-op barn that required chores. I chose early morning feed and turn out because I lived close and wanted to see my horse in the morning. Marli would sit at the stall and wait for me to halter up then she'd run to the barn entrance and wait for me to lead the horse through and then she'd bring up the rear - run ahead again to the gate, wait again for me to go through, then bring up the rear.

Because I wanted her to be a trail dog, I taught her to run ahead so Kitty (my horse) could see her. Worked out great.

We had an agility instructor who leased our covered arena for leasons in the winter. Marli was a natural with agility as well. She made me look like a fool trying to keep up with her.

Pic is Marli (ACD) standing on the left, Missy, Aussie I also got from shelter at age 6 months as playmate to Marli, and finally Roofus (laying down) is a red heeler/shihtzu mix with very short legs. He is now Missy's playmate, as Marli at age 5 has calmed down and would rather be at my side then out playing with the other two.

 

[Kerilou]

More great stories an photos! Thanks for sharing them all!!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Please forgive my multi-postings. I'm trying to reach as many people as possible

As some of you know, I have recently lost my beloved Aussie Dog Spook. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=364283

Didn't think I would but we have been trying to adopt a pretty little girl from Texas who is deaf. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=366206 I don't know what is up but it seems like the person who is doing the adoption doesn't want the puppy to leave the state. I have given them tons of references from another Cattle Dog rescue, the owner of a Service Dog group and people who know how much I loved Spook. They are to let me know by tomorrow if this little girl is to come home with me.

If this doesn't happen, do any of you know of a rescue where I can find a puppy? I want a female puppy, nothing more than 9months old. I want to train her to be my next partner. Maybe even a deaf puppy like the one above?

 

[Brindlebtch]

PM dak and ask her. She know of a really good cattle dog kennel up north. Great temperaments.

 

[treehugger777]

how are these dogs toward chickens??? I want a dog that will protect my flock

 

[Lolachick07]

We have an ACD/ German Shepherd mix, and he is waay too smart.

you can't sneak out without him knowing! Anyway, he is pretty protetive of his family, and has never bothered the chickens. By how my dog is, I think with a bit of training, you could have yourself a good little chicken guarder. But remember, even if a dog is the same breed, they CAN be different! Here's what my dog Finny looks like

( Just to mention, Finny isn't the "main" chicken dog- my Pyrenees mix is) OK, to sum all this up, yep, he's pretty good with chickens, except the chickens mistake him for a coyote or something sometimes!

 

[Henny]

Yes cattle dogs can be excellent with chickens. In the beginning though you have to keep a close eye on them as they might want to catch chickens and start pulling out their feathers etc. If left unsupervised they might even steal eggs and eat them! . They need to be supervised and taught limits. They are very sensitive, listen well and are easily taught. It is amazing how their herding instinct kicks in with them wanting to keep all the chickens together, rounding up the stragglers. They are very visual watching out for hawks barking at them if they see them flying overhead--even before the rooster sees them! I love the way they look at you meeting your gaze and try to communicate.