[egglady]

we have sheep, horses, pigs (sometimes), cats, chickens and ducks, and a yorkie.

i'd like to get a sheepdog for herding the sheep (and maybe the pigs/ducks and in the future goats).  i'm wondering if anyone has one that needs a new home or knows of anyone in that situation.

or if that isnt an option, how do i go about getting one?  or can i buy a young dog and train it myself?

[Castle Farm]

Hello Egglady.
Your post is an open invitaion to get rid of a dog that is most probably a problem already. There is a huge difference between a working sheepdog and a collie and a working sheepdog is worth it's weight in gold.(even at todays prices).

Forget rescue dogs and sad cases that for whatever reason the person that has it now wants you or anyone else to take it off thier hands.

A working sheepdog is a specialist.

You need a pup of around 8 weeks from PROVEN working stock.You need it that age so it has not been spoilt.

A 'part trained' one will cost you dearly and to be honest the part training bit is idiot proof if the pup has any herding instint.
It has to bond to the one thats working it and you only get that connection with a pup.

Where abouts are you?

[egglady]

thanks for that - and of course makes good sense.

we're in fife, i'm a bit worried about training it myself and i wouldnt know how to TBH and wouldnt want to 'spoil' the dog

[ballingall]

I have to agree with Castle Farm, you all too often see 6-18month old collies advertised as working dogs, and if they were really working that well, they wouldn't be advertised for sale. You are best to find someone nearby who has working collies who herd sheep, and get one from them. Our 2 year old has a fantastic instinct (we don't work him as we have no sheep, and goats don't like to be herded much!) but he came from a local farm, where the farmer has his mother, father, brother, and now a new little sister, which are all working sheepdogs.

If you are fortunate, you could find someone who would let your dog do a bit practice of on their sheep with his parents etc.

Beth

[Castle Farm]

Take your time finding one as it's one of the best investments in time yuo will ever have.

[hexhammeasure]

how many sheep do you have egglady? a good working dog needs to be active and less than 150 sheep isn't enough work for a young dog. If you are really interested I can put you in touch with a guy I work with who trains dogs and sells them all over the country. if you only have a few sheep then consider trying a retiree and see if you can bond with it

[sabrina]

If you buy a pup from a local farmer I am sure he will be delighted to help with the training, they take a lot of pride in good working sheepdogs.

[egglady]

how many sheep do you have egglady? a good working dog needs to be active and less than 150 sheep isn't enough work for a young dog. If you are really interested I can put you in touch with a guy I work with who trains dogs and sells them all over the country. if you only have a few sheep then consider trying a retiree and see if you can bond with it

we only have 12 sheep (though want more over time) which was why i thought an older dog might be a perfect solution.  thank you

[shrekfeet]

why not just get your sheep used to following a bucket of feed and then buy whatever dog you want.

[egglady]

well they do...mostly, but of course when i will want them to will be the time they dont!  and as the flock expands i thought that might end up being a bit tricky

[shrekfeet]

If you go in every few days with a bucket5 and alittle bit of feed you will soon train them to come to you. Invaluable

[egglady]

yes that what i do already...alright, alright, i admit it - i dont NEED a sheepdog......but i WANT a sheepdog!!!

[Anke]

I just use my children (7 and 9)... and the orange bucket... works (with a lot of swearing and shouting), even with the lambs in the field... (15 ewes, 5 hoggets and 25 lambs). Sometimes takes a bit of time, but a sheepdog would just not be an option.

[shrekfeet]

you want a dog? Or do you want a collie? Collies are very highly strung, can be a bit nippy and need a huge amount of stimulation

[belgianblue]

fully trained dog would set you back £800