What breeds make good Cow Dogs?

[mekasmom]

There is another post on this board from a girl with a bored collie. Maybe you two could help each other out if you are close to each other?

The only thing I would say is that heelers are not the best dogs for pets with small children. They have a shorter temper than Aussies or collies.

 

[Cara]

Black Mouth Curs don't herd in the sense of pushing cattle, they gather and hold them up. They keep them in a bunch and stop any running off.

Ours help stop the cattle from running off long enough for my husband to get around them on horseback, or bring them out from the brush. Once he gets to them he will tell the dogs to back off and they just follow while he pushes them on. They'll put the cattle back in the trailer if he's trying to unload them unless he tells them to back off! I've used them to help me get my escaped goats back in a pen.

They are pretty aggressive with cattle, they do bite and hang onto their heads if they try to leave the herd. Our male has been great with my goats, he knows they are a little more fragile and will just bark at them or nudge them.

There are cowdog lines and hunting dog lines.

Maggie and Woodrow at work (Woodrow is camouflaged!)

 

[lostinthewoods]

Australian Cattle Dogs for sure! I have 3 (1 purebred and 2 mixed) and they are great helpers! They even round up my chickens for me, haha.

They're very intelligent, and are easy to train. The photo to the left is our purebred red heeler (australian cattle dog), Bandit. I seen someone say that they are not good with children, and I would like to remind you....it's all in how you teach them (the children and the animals) I have a 1 1/2 yr old who can do anything he wants to any of our dogs. Good luck and hope you find the perfect breed for you!