View Full Version : anybody do herding?
stirder
07-03-2005, 07:16 PM
what do you think is the best breed of sheep or goat to train a dog in herding? start with a really calm easy going breed?
MeNmyCanaans
07-03-2005, 07:26 PM
Personally I would say a Canaantheir energetic as any herding breed your going to come across but are fairly easy to train and are extremly smart our Canaans work both cattle and sheep and compete in competitions.
stirder
07-04-2005, 10:51 AM
sorry, I was wondering about breeds of sheep. I have a german shepherd right now. Im wondering about what sheep or goat breed is best for starting a dog. I grew up with dogs and horses, and other livestock, and my wife and I are moving in about a year and are going to get several acres so we can have horses and are thinking about getting some goats or sheep for the dog to herd, and because my wife really wants some. I've heard that Barbados sheep, Cotswolds, and st criox are easy sheep for a dog to start on.
Renee750il
07-14-2005, 02:23 AM
Personally, I'd use it as an excuse to get some of those little Scottish Highland cattle :D
Of course, if you're going to be staying in Louisiana, it would be too hot for them.
Have you checked with any herding organizations near you yet?
While I don't think a really calm, easy-going breed of sheep exists (I'm no expert - they just all seem neurotic to me.) I've heard many good things about Barbados being excellent sheep to start a dog on.. I'm not too familiar with goats, though, so I couldn't help you there.
I know nothing about sheep, except they're mostly really dumb, but you could do what Jon Katz (author of A Dog Year) did and just buy some sheep from a local herding place. That way the sheep are already dog broke and you won't have to worry about your dog getting hurt by freaked-out sheep as much.