[m3joeEm]

I have 70 sheep that run over around 75 acres of grassland mostly divided into 5-10 acre fields and the same of hill (shared with cows). The hill is rough and probably too rough for a quad. is 70 sheep enough to keep a dog interested? there would be times when he wouldn't have work for weeks then other times there be work every week. I Have zero experience or knowledge of sheep dogs hence this question 

[Porterlauren]

To not work a dog for weeks would be a bit of an issue.

But it doesn't have to be so. . . . I was out today, checking the sheep, dog in the truck with me. No need to really gather them in, but i got her to gather each mob in and bring them to me in the middle of the field, so I could get a better look at them and just to give her something to do.

Luckily I had her because one group had three escaped lambs in next doors 20-30 acre field. . . . . had to get them all the way across the field and through a small gate back onto my ground. . . . . I walked, dog brought lambs after me and through the gate. . . . no dramas.

You can create work to keep a dog occupied, and just have her with you all of the time. And once you have one, you suddenly find little jobs that she can do.

I could not imagine dealing with anymore than 20 sheep without a dog. But thats just me, the dog is probably half the reason I farm sheep.

[m3joeEm]

interesting points. They are Definitely useful animals when utilised correctly ,If mine broke into next doors fields Id spend an hour or more trying to get them back  My father and i have to block our lane way and shake buckets and jump and skip to move them from A to B and hes almost 70 so I need to be thinking of ways to do things on my own to at least give him a rest some days.

[m3joeEm]

What about when the sheep are in lamb do you still use the dogs to move the sheep?

[Porterlauren]

A very young, wild or inexperienced dog with sheep could cause a problem. . . . . but so could not being able to move them. The way I look at it, is that if the dog is relatively controlled and working well, moving them with a dog is probably the least stressful way to do it.

As said, it just takes the ball ache out of routine jobs. I.e yesterday I had to wean lambs, so three good sized mobs of ewes and lambs, to pen up in the field (no handling area) and draft off ewes, ewe lambs and ram lambs, load each group into separate trailers (or decks of trailers) and then drop them off in designated areas (i.e bring all ewe lambs together, all ram lambs and penning all ewes on poor grazing to dry off). The mobs were on some big and quite rough areas. . . . . without the dog doing one mob would be most of a day gone, making clever hurdle funnels, and chasing the odd awkward ewe. With the dog is just worked. . . . . and the amount of joy I get from working her is second to none! Same as you, my old man is getting on, and its just me, looking after around 220 sheep (mine and some I contract shepherd). . . . there is no way I could do it without the dog!

Also during lambing its a god send!

[m3joeEm]

sounds like you know your dog and have him well trained . are they difficult to train or did you get a trainer to train it for you? also we have a family pet (golden retriever) would that cause any problems (ie can they be kept together or would that influence the sheepdogs work?

[Porterlauren]

She is 15/16 months and has her moments still. But she has the makings of a very good dog. I did the initial training myself, had her stopping and working sheep a bit etc etc, half decent. Then during lambing last year when I deemed her still a bit too green to be much help (I borrowed an older dog from a friend), I sent her away for 5 weeks training with an exceptional guy. Was very cheap relatively speaking and she came back having been tightened right up. Putting her straight into work them with the lambs etc being older, and the rough edges got smoothed out and she is a great little bitch now. Still young and full of beans though. . . . and occasionally we have a wee falling out haha.

I have 5 other dogs here. The only thing I make sure, is that the others are not out with her when she is working sheep, just in case they think its ok to chase them, and that she is not out with them when they are hunting (as i don't want her forgetting the sheep to bomb off after a rabbit or fox). Day to day they live together, run around the yard together and go for walks on the beach etc together. No problems.

[m3joeEm]

sounds fun haha. I am going to inquire about a pup i always see them for sale. i will ask a neighbour to come look at it with me to see if he thinks it has the right characteristics (as far as is possible to tell at that age). excellent news about being able to keep them with other dogs, making things so much easier

[Porterlauren]

What i'll say is look at the parents. That gives you half a chance, if they work well the pup should do some kind of job lol. Spend enough time with the dog one to one, and it won't matter about the there dog etc. YOU will be that pups world, and thats the start of the working bond. and then its just time and patience, and a bit of cleverness in training. . . . and you are there. There are a hundred things each day my bitch does that makes life easier. Simple stuff like  lying on the ramp of the trailer, keeping the ewes in while I select another to load, or blocking a gate way when I run them down the road. And she can run a damn sight quicker than I can!

And of course. . . . there is also the companionship. One man and a dog checking sheep in a truck is a lot nicer than being one man alone. . . . .

[mowhaugh]

In your circumstances, I think you might be better with an older dog looking for a slightly easier life.  My husband runs a team of 5 dogs, but they only run for him.  My last dog I got at 10, and she still came round my hill (305 acres) with me every day, could assist with stragglers on the big gathers, and worked well in the fields and pens - she would have been more than capable of working 70 sheep over 150 acres as sole dog.

[Old Shep]

I agree if possible get an older dog that already works (maybe famer retiring? ) If you get a pup you it could be 2 or 3 years until she's useful if she's a late starter, or maybe not work at all ever!  (some just aren't interested).

[m3joeEm]

So my cousin rang me today and said that his mate is selling ones Its father was a champion sheep dog and the mother was a sheep dog that was never used. He got it for 40 pound because he knew him all I can say is I'm taking a chance on it . I'm sure of it doesn't work (probably won't) there will be a loving home for it and if not it will have to become a family pet...

[beagh-suffolks]

some younger dogs can be better than the older dogs , i have an up an coming pup at the moment and she would out do oldest sheepdog no problem , she has more natural ability, i wouldnt do without a dog now while working the sheep, they help so much

[Marches Farmer]

If you get a dog well trained and use it on the sheep regularly they, too, will get to know what's expected of them and the dog can be kept far enough away from ewes and lambs to move them but not be in any danger of ploughing in.

[m3joeEm]

thanks for the replies again everyone. I will see how the pup does after a year or 2 maybe get someone to train it for me when its older, just a couple of months old now