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Southwest OK | Something to think about is each of the breeds mentioned above has been bred for a specific style of stock handling. Catahoulas came out of the swamps of Louisiana chasing wild cattle and hunting coons. They are good at that, but, they are a bay dog. Meaning they will go and find cattle and hold them in one spot, but they expect you to drive the cattle where you want them. All they really do is keep the wild ones in the bunch. Heelers are driving dogs. Their instinct is to push cattle away from you. Works just fine, if they are well trained, and the cattle are between you and the pens. Australian Shepards and Border Collies are both herding dogs. Meaning that they will fetch cattle to you. All of these breeds have their place, and individual dogs of each breed can have qualities of the other breeds. I had a heeler that could out herd most border collies, and have had collies that were better at driving than fetching. Some cow dogs are born, most are made. It takes a lot of quality time with a dog, and exposure to a lot of cattle. The dog needs to know some basic commands before he sees cattle the first time. Down, and hold would be the most important. Come by and way around are really nice to have also. | |
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cow dog for brushing out cows ?
