[Jacob-list] herding dogs

[Black, Tiar and Jason]

I just had to jump in on this one! I agree to thatworking dogs have a strong instinct. I just recently had this discussion with a man at our local pet store. Apparently a woman here on our island "very carefully" planned to breed her dog. Mind you the dog was 3/4 australian shepered and 1/4 dalmation and the sire was boxer and chow. The man at the store was saying how careful she was about which dog this woman bred hers to and how glad he was that he had gotten this perfect puppy. My response was that he was going to have a heck of a time trying to keep the dog out of my sheep fields as his other philosophy was that the dog "wiould never be put on chain" and they live about 1/2 a mile away from us. Now why in the world would you even say something like that? And secondly why in the world would you breed such strong instincts into a dog that you are placing in pet homes? If you ask me it is a recipie for trouble and quite honestly I am tired of bringing dogs to the pound or calling the sheriff to come and get them. I don't like the idea of shooting them but I am begining to see that it may be the only way. I have already sent at least 5  loose dogs off to the pound since we have had our lambs. Its like we are a magnet for them! I do have to admit that I have the best crossbred herding dog in the world - she is 1/2 blue merle collie and 1/2 border collie so not only is she a beautiful blue merle but she has herding instincts that just won't quit. I never have to wonder where my children are because Taya  lets me know and I always know when to go to the barn because if there is a new lamb or a ewe in trouble she runs from the house to the barn back and forth until I come (almost like Lassy telling someone that Timmy has fallen in the well). She will attack any other dog that comes in the fence and is very protective of my family and our livestock - she places herself between us and the 'eminant danger'. So I guess there are some good points to crossbreds with herding instincts but it all has to do with who bred them, why and their screening the potential owners which doesn't happen to often.We will be breeding Taya this year but we already have working homes for over 10 of her pups and we will be breeding her to a border collie that has won several trials and currently works everyday - just like her.  I just realized I am ranbling - sorry it's late....Anyway just my 2 cents.
Tiar Black
ZLazyJ Farm
French Lop & Dwarf Hotot rabbits & registered Jacob sheep
Friday Harbor Wa
theblacks at interisland.net
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