Most farms have at least one dog
hanging around, and that dog may even do something to justify his free
supper. If you are new to homesteading, or have somehow managed to
remain dog-free and are just now thinking "hmmm, I think we need a dog",
the following information may be useful.
Dogs have been the farmer’s
companions ever since the first dogs figured out that if they helped
the farmer with the livestock instead of eating the livestock,
the farmer was less likely to supplement his own diet with canine
cutlets. Dogs have worn many hats on the farm, and still do. Since dogs
come in many sizes and forms, they are a natural for specialization.
Your first inclination when
thinking of a farm dog is probably Lassie.
Have a seat.
AKC Registered Rough Collie
Lassie is a myth. So mythical in fact that the dog actor playing Lassie
wasn’t even female. Lassie was always played by male collies. (Good
thing they have long hair, huh?)
Now, I have nothing against
collies. I love collies. I’ve had collies and you will not find a
sweeter, better natured dog around. But your general run of the mill
purebred collie of today will have some issues. Collies are known for
eye problems. Seems the breeders liked the look of the ‘almond’ shaped
eye better than the nice round eye that can actually be seen out of and
have bred collies with eyes that are literally suffocated for lack of
air. A sleek narrow head was also found to be more attractive so they
bred for that over a nice round skull. Now there’s no room for a brain.
Clearly a dog who cannot see properly and has a squished in brain is not
going to be a very good ‘working dog’. If you are itching for a good old
fashioned ‘farm collie’ there really is such a thing. They don’t look a
lot like Lassie, but then, Timmy’s yard did not look like a farmyard
either. To find out more information on Farm Collies, see here (http://izebug.syr.edu/~gsbisco/fc2.htm)
for people who are working with the old Scotch Collies- what the Lassie
of the books probably really was.
"Lassie"
Farm Collie
Of course there’s the OTHER
collie - the Border Collie, and they are a completely different animal.
Imagine Lassie on speed.
If you have a very busy farm
with a lot of stuff that needs tending, herding, sorting, worrying, then
a Border Collie is perfect. Border Collies are arguably smarter than a
lot of people and have a whole lot more stamina. Where Border Collies
(and their families) get into trouble is when the dog does not have
ENOUGH to do. Border Collies need to work and if you do not give them a
job, they will make one up. Tearing up an entire household worth of
linoleum is a short afternoon’s work for a B.C. Escaping from the yard
just in case the neighbor has something to do takes about a split
second if you have an average fence. If your fence is fashioned after
the one at the maximum security prison set into 3 feet of cement, it
will take an entire second.
On a farm with plenty of work to
do, a Border Collie can be an invaluable companion - sharp, quick;
always ready for any adventure you may have to go on no matter the
weather- just the chance to be DOING something with you will be met with
an exuberance that’s rarely found for something short of winning the
lottery. The big one.
For more information on Border
Collies, see (http://www.americanbordercollie.org/)
