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Dennis S

Dennis S

VR.org Supporter
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
Messages
1,595
Location
Northern New Mexico
Today Barb & I took a day trip to Chaco Canyon. I hope to post a picture or two later on. On the way home I finally got to see (with my camera at the ready) something pretty amazing. Two dogs (actin on their own, no rancher in sight) where herding about twenty goats. I don't know where they were going-there was no ranch in sight. I was just going to get a normal type picture when I saw something that really impressed me. The dogs wanted the goats to cross the (pretty much) deserted highway. But, while the goats were crossing a pickup truck came sailing down the road.

I only had time to roll down the window and take a picture from the car-but you can see that one dog stood his ground in the middle of the road, and forced the truck to stop while the other dog hurried the flock across the road. An amazing and brave pair of dogs. I only got a good picture of the dog on my side of the car. (In addition to guarding his flock from the truck, this dog made it pretty apparent to me he didn't care to have me get out of our car while his flock of goats was around). The guy (probably Navajo) who owns the flock & the dogs will probably never know the great job they did for him this afternoon.
 
This is a closer view of the "hero" after the last goat has crossed and he has left the center of the highway. I think I speak pretty good "dog", and I thought this guy felt things would go better If I stayed in the car. I wll post a copy of this message with full size pictures on my blog (link shown below).
 
Love the story; what amazing dogs. What a beautiful red dog he is too.

Dennis, you do have some terrific photography on your blog. It's a pleasure to view.
 
What a cool picture. That face seems to be smiling for the camera!
 
What a GREAT and 'Heartwarming' testimony to the knowledge and skill of those wonderful Dogs. I hope their owner is appreciative of their talents.

Another Dog Lover
 
Great story, Dennis!

I think your camera is enriching your own soulfulness. Good work!

I always look forward to whatever it is you capture.

:) Marguerite
 
Those herding dogs don't need a rancher to be in sight at all.....he could have been much farther away and given the dogs the command to "bring them home" and they would have known exactly what to do.
Many years ago on a trip through Germany, I was also forced to stop and wait while a couple of dogs herded about a hundred sheep across to another field. It was fun to watch, especially since sheep aren't exactly the brightest critters on the planet....LOL
Great pics, thanks.
 
Hey Bina--Since you are the "goat lady" I thought I should point out that these guys were herding goats, not sheep. Are goats harder or easier to herd?

Also--As I said, given the location I can be pretty sure this is a mixed breed. Anyone have any idea as to what breeds may have gone into the mix?

And these dogs confirm what you know about their ability to do their work without supervision. We could see for miles in all directions and there was no ranch, hogan or rancher in sight.
 
Well, that's why I mentioned the sheep.....they ain't too bright.
Goat herding seems to be a bit easier, they are less likely to run off blindly.

Down the road we have a goat cheese farm, they have over 200 goats which are "free grazed" on their land for part of the days in summer. Sadly, no herding dog action, but they have a Greek "goat whisperer" I call him. He is an older man with a long stick and a folding chair (to rest on) who takes the herd out and guides them from field to field. Sometimes a couple of goats will misbehave and not obey him. Man oh man, can that guy ever yell when necessary.
I believe your red dog has alot of Border Collie or Aussie in him.
 
My first thought of the red dog was a Nova Scotia Duck Trolling. Has the same kind of face and ears, but doesn't have the coat.........unless the owner cuts it....uhmmmm
 
The N.S. Duck Tolling Retriever shares the colour and size.....but that's about it....sweet, soft dogs.
I'm sticking with Border Collie, they can have red and white fur in a rougher coat.
The skill level and fixed gaze are both Border Collie also.
Freddie: where is my CKC puppy?? I'm still waiting....LOL
 
Great pic!! I am guessing Border Collie (or mix) too.

Bina, sheep are more intelligent than you would think. If they run blindly, then the dog hasn't done his job :D but I don't want to make this in a sheep vs goat thread :p;):D

Seriously, sheep appear more dull as they are a herding animal and their survival depends on staying within the flock. They mask pain very well, as they do not want to be singled out by predators by limping etc. I found them quite smart, really, although they do not have the quirky personality of goats. I always loved sheep, just depends how you define intelligence:). I found them smarter than, ahem, some doctors I met :rolleyes: - although thankfully we were mostly lucky in that department.

My German Shepherd comes from a very old herding bloodline (former East Germany). She has worked 300 head of sheep in the US and also worked in Germany. Her brother worked in Germany (now back in the US) and had to move a large flock of sheep along a small highway (you know the ones). Cars were going by with 100 km/h and they didn't always slow down. The dog stayed unfazed and kept the flock safe. I didn't let my dog do road work, as she only was used to a few Jeeps and tractors - there is now way to practice this over here. They'd drive you over in Quebec.


One of my favourite memories is this: We had taken the sheep out in the field to graze. My dog and her father were working the boundary and I was there (although dogs could work alone). Owner of the sheep (my friend) meanwhile went back in the barn to put out some grain. Boy, do the sheep love that! When the sheep were done grazing, my dog and her father brought them back home and it always gets a bit harried at the gate. The dogs did their job and the first couple of sheep went through. They found the grain and started bah-ing (translation probably was: grain is here) The rest of the flock just ran in all bah-ing in anticipation.

In the afternoon we took them out to another graze again. When it was time to get them back in the barn, this time sheep just ran in. Bah-ing followed immediately - differnt sound - (translation - we are coned - no grain). So the sheep started running back out of the gate again. It was hysterical. Obviously, dogs went to work immediately and all was back in order.


Have I convinced you about the sheep now? :D My husband also prefers goats LOL but really, really loves to see the dogs working the sheep. I visited a friend one time who had a mixed herd of goats and sheep. My dog immediately starting 'counting' the sheep (focusing on them) but barked at the goats. LOL She kind of felt they were intrudors in her flock. She would herd cows but she has no feel for goats. Doesn't seem to be in her genetics but I would think I could teach her and she'd get the concept.
 
Yes, I do love sheep too, but man, are they ever hard on gates, fencing, etc.
They are heavy grazers, with goats being heavy browsers.
And I think the sheep are harder to pen than goats, but then again, mine are heavily "human imprinted".
Where I live we have a competition with BCs and Aussies herding sheep--it's amazing stuff!
Oops, thread hijacking in progress....sorry Dennis....LOL
 
Sorry Dennis, don't mean to hijack thread either so this is my last post.

Bina, you are right about the pens etc. It's the job of the Shepherd (or Shepherdess - the human) and a good dog to keep them calm. If you have a confident working dog, the lead sheep will trust the dog and they will enter the pen smootly and with the draw of numbers all goes really fast and effortless. Of course young dogs are exuberant and need to learn form their mistakes and it can be difficult. German Shepherds were bred to herd heavier sheep (the famous Merino). I worked my previous GSD on flightly sheep (like Border Collies do) My, I thought we were herding reindeer :) He got the hang of it though but I do prefer the original style of herding for that breed.

I have heard of someone telling me about fainting goats. I think they faint when a dog tries to herd them or something. Not sure if that's even true, but if it is poor goats!
 
I'm laughing just thinking about trying to herd little fainting goats....OMG.
The youngsters when startled, will actually have muscle freeze for about 10 seconds and fall down.
Adults will become accustomed to the freeze coming on and will learn to brace themselves to stop falling.
I think I will stay with my big Nubians.....
 
Aha. Thanks for clarifying, Bina. I knew you would know this :) You are right, it must be too funny though.

Oops, now I have broken my promise :eek:. Sorry.
 
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