Author Topic: Working sheepdog wanted (Read 3733 times)

Sbom · « **on:** October 07, 2017, 08:59:24 am »

Looking for a well trained working sheepdog, happy to travel an hour or three for the right one.

Don't mind dog or bitch, needs to have a good stop as most of our grazing is electric fenced.
Needs to travel well truck/quad and be good with kids and other dogs.
One with lambing experience would be great as I lamb a lot of sheep for myself and other people, mostly outdoors and on my own.

There are a couple of sales coming up but I'm struggling to make them due to other commitments plus I'd prefer to try before I buy.

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2017, 09:58:44 am »

Try the working sheepdog page on FB they sometimes have some. Also preloved have some every now and again. If you're after a Welsh then Welsh sheepdog society FB page may be able to help you, the breeders are great on there

hope you find what you're looking for soon!

landroverroy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2017, 10:41:25 am »

Just a word of warning about Welsh sheepdogs.
As they were originally bred as drovers' dogs - used to drive cattle to the London meat markets - they can be a bit handy at snapping at humans' legs as well as cattle.
I got one once from a Collie Rescue in Wales. She was amazing as a working dog. Could handle any cattle and would load the sheep in 2 tiers high in the trailer (and that was without decks!), but she seriously bit 2 friends of mine on the leg (and this was proper biting - not just a nip) so she had to go.
Now I'm not saying they are all like that, and obviously there's been a lot of different breeding introduced since the droving days, but it's something you need to be aware of.

Sbom · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2017, 11:51:35 am »

Definitely want a border collie

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2017, 12:28:30 pm »

Quote from: landroverroy on October 07, 2017, 10:41:25 am

Just a word of warning about Welsh sheepdogs.
As they were originally bred as drovers' dogs - used to drive cattle to the London meat markets - they can be a bit handy at snapping at humans' legs as well as cattle.
I got one once from a Collie Rescue in Wales. She was amazing as a working dog. Could handle any cattle and would load the sheep in 2 tiers high in the trailer (and that was without decks!), but she seriously bit 2 friends of mine on the leg (and this was proper biting - not just a nip) so she had to go.
Now I'm not saying they are all like that, and obviously there's been a lot of different breeding introduced since the droving days, but it's something you need to be aware of.

hey, hey, hey it depends on breeding ya know... All of mine have been brilliant. Rhosyn has a very good temperament, hasn't snapped once. If you buy from a good breeder, like adeline jones or emma mogford, to name but 2, you can garantee a fantastic animal. They do work different to a border, more loose eyed, but are brilliant animals to have around

landroverroy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2017, 10:06:04 pm »

If you look again, you'll see that I did say that there are differences in breeding and that they are not all like the one I had, but I just mentioned it as a possibility. Mine also was a brilliant sheepdog but if you look up the general characteristics of Welsh as opposed to Border Collies, it is mentioned that the former are more prone (not guaranteed!) to be a bit handy with their teeth because of their original purpose.

cloddopper · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2017, 10:24:44 pm »

Quote from: landroverroy on October 07, 2017, 10:06:04 pm

If you look again, you'll see that I did say that there are differences in breeding and that they are not all like the one I had, but I just mentioned it as a possibility. Mine also was a brilliant sheepdog but if you look up the general characteristics of Welsh as opposed to Border Collies, it is mentioned that the former are more prone (not guaranteed!) to be a bit handy with their teeth because of their original purpose.

That explains a lot about our locally produced Welsh sheepdog / Goldie cross mutt. At 30 kg he's not to be trusted if I'm not there ?

Foobar · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2017, 04:33:40 pm »

All dogs will bite if they aren't brought up right! I would suspect that is the problem you are seeing not an inherent welsh issue (mine is as loving as anything and wouldnt hurt a fly).

in the hills · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2017, 10:22:34 am »

Hi Sbom,

Have you found a suitable dog yet?

Is Mid Wales too far for you to travel?

If you want to PM me I can pass on the details of my neighbour.
Not certain whether or not he has the ideal dog for you at the moment but he would be worth having a chat with. He works, trains and trials.

He has lots of contacts too.