Best Stock Dog Breeds a Recent Poll Indicates Top Five Breeds Recommended for Use As a Stock Dog in the United States
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March 2013 95 Stock dog series: Part II Best Stock Dog Breeds A recent poll indicates top five breeds recommended for use as a stock dog in the United States. Story by Typically ranging from 25 lb. to 55 lb., These dogs are known as gathering or KELLI FULKERSON they sport coats of medium texture and herding-type dogs that can wind and trail wavy hair. Their colors are blue merle, red cattle. Their appearance must be slick hair merle, solid black and solid red. Another and bobbed tail. Their colors vary from Soon-to-be dog owners frequently distinct characteristic is the butterfly nose. black, red or merle, to multi-colored. ask, “What breed will work best for Meier says the most distinct cattle?” says Deb Meier, editor of The characteristic of an Australian Shepherd is Registration Stockdog Journal. To some breed-specific companionship with its herd, as well as its In the cattle industry, breed registration enthusiasts, this question may seem master. Australian Shepherds are versatile is a highly recommended and desired offensive. However, the diversity and and easily trained, performing tasks with tool for the success and integrity of an PHOTOS BY MARY BLOOM © AKC BLOOM MARY BY PHOTOS management of cattle operations are Australian Cattle Dog style and enthusiasm. operation. This also rings true in the determining factors in what breed of dog canine industry, says Meier. The stock-dog will be best for a particular situation. known as heelers because of their industry has varying opinions about the Recently, research at South Dakota instinctive grip, says the Australian best registry for your stock dog. State University included an online poll Cattle Dog Club of America Inc. Almost every working breed has an asking cattle producers across the Midwest (ACDCA, www.acdca.org/), explaining association in the United States. There what the top-five stock dog breeds were. the development of the heeler, which was are other registries that promote different The results: to control wild cattle on drives through agendas that some breeders do not 1. American Border Collie the inhospitable wilderness of Australia. support, such as the American Kennel 2. Australian Cattle Dogs Thomas Hall, an Australian drover, was Club (AKC), Continental Kennel Club 3. Australian Shepherds the developer of the breed. He crossed (CKC), Federation of International 4. Australian Kelpies the Scottish Highland Collie with the Canines (FIC) and the American Pet 5. Hanging Tree Cow Dogs Australian Dingo to create an Australian Registry (APR). PHOTO BY PERTTI KÄRPPÄ PERTTI BY PHOTO Cattle Dog. Australian Kelpie “This is a very touchy subject,” says Heelers are known for their protective Meier. “Some breeders believe the AKC instincts of their stock and handler, says Australian Kelpies has a set of standards that conforms breeds Meier. They are a strong, muscular, In 1870, the Australian Kelpie played to be judged based upon their looks rather compact dog with great agility and a huge role in the development of the than their true working ability. I believe strength. They weigh 45 lb.-65 lb., with sheep and wool industry in Australia, says everyone should decide for themselves. rough wiry coats. Colors are red or the North American Australian Kelpie There are other tools and registries to blue with black, white and tan speckles Registry Inc. (NAKR, www.kelpiesinc.com/). look for when purchasing a dog.” throughout their coat. They have erect The breed descended from the British Meier says if breeders have their ears and prominent eyes. Heelers possess working Coley. Kelpies were bred to dogs registered with an individual breed high trainability coupled with a strong handle the harsh hot landscape, extensive association, it is typically a good indicator desire to please. Most can perform routine acreage and unruly Merino sheep. they care about the skills their animals Border Collie jobs after just a few exposures to cattle. In North America, the Kelpie has possess. Each association has its own not carried a highly visible profile. They agenda and promotes different traits. Border Collies are bred exclusively for the working Registries to investigate include the According to the American environments of the United States and National Cattledog Association Border Collie Association (ABCA, Canada, says the NAKR. The breed (www.nationalcattledog.com), North www.americanbordercollie.org/), the is bred to work, they are extremely American Stock Dog Society and the Border Collie breed originated during intelligent, and they have a keen sense of American Herding Breed Association the Industrial Revolution, when there livestock. They average 30 lb.-45 lb.; and (www.ahba-herding.org/) in addition to was an urban market for lamb, mutton have thin, smooth coats and erect ears. individual breed associations. and wool. In the vast hills and unfenced Colors are black, fawn, blue and liver; land of Scotland and Northern England, however, most have tan markings. Don’t act on impulse shepherds had to use stock dogs as tools to “Kelpies are a breed that you don’t Deciding to purchase a stock dog is herd their flocks, resulting in the breed of have to worry about,” says Meier. “They an important decision. Take time to do it Border Collies. Australian Shepherd are great guardians and have a stamina right, says Meier. She suggests going to The ABCA states that Border Collies that is unlike any other.” working dog trials to see what individual are not bred for appearance, meaning not Australian Shepherds breeds have to offer your operation. all dogs in the breed look alike. They vary Contrary to its name, the Australian Hanging Tree Cow Dogs At trials, you can talk to the handlers, in weight from 25 pounds (lb.) to 65 lb. Shepherd is the only stock dog breed A jack-of-all-trades is the Hanging breeders and owners to ask questions and have smooth coats. Their colors are developed in America, according to the Tree Cow Dog, says Meier. They were about the breeds and the successes they typically black, tan and a reddish-brown U.S. Australian Shepherd Association bred in America by Greg Ericsson and his have had. with white markings. They may have erect (USASA, australianshepherds.org/). The son Choc, and named after the Hanging “If you’ve never seen a trial, you will or falling ears. breed traces back to the early 1800s, when Tree Ranch in Philadelphia, Miss. They be entertained and amazed, and will learn Quick and eager learners, Border sheep herds were brought to America are referred to as “The Ultimate Cowboy’s a lot about what stock dogs are all about,” 3 Collies are known for their speed and from Australia. Basque shepherds on the Dog.” The composite breed is ⁄8 Border says Meier. 1 1 superior livestock sense, says Meier. Other western coast were known to have little Collie, ⁄8 Catahoula, ⁄4 Australian Kelpie 1 distinct traits are exceptional athletic blue dogs with bobtails that they crossed and ⁄4 Australian Shepherd. ability, good nature and a high level of with German Coolies, creating what is According to Jimmy Tillman of confidence. known as the Australian Shepherd. Hanging Tree Ranch, some characteristics Editor’s Note: Kelli Fulkerson, a student at South According to the USASA, an of the Hanging Tree Cow Dog are their Dakota State University, was the 2012 Angus Australian Cattle Dogs identifying characteristic is the natural or intelligence, ability to handle all types of Journal summer intern. Australian Cattle Dogs are commonly docked bobtail of the Australian Shepherd. cattle, good bone structure and endurance. March 2013.