The Herding Dog Thread

[mattlock]

I have an Aussie that is on his last legs, literally, one blown rear cruciate ligament in his right rear knee. He's a goner, he is going to get the most love from here on out, but no surgery.

I love Argo, he is my boy. Nothing will ever change the fact that I spent 1/3 of my life getting to know him.

Moving forward, I will be getting another dog, maybe not right away, but soon enough.

I like the herding dogs. I could easily get another Aussie, or maybe a Border Collie. But I also like Aussie Cattle Dogs and also some of the other herding breeds. I could see a Corgi, although Banjo pointed out that he likes a dog with legs, and well, they come up a bit short in that regard. My gut tells me that I need a new frisbee dog and Aussies and Borders are the best when it comes to that.

There are also a bunch of breeds from Europe that look more like Terriers that I could see.

Anyone want to chime in?

 

[wob]

Anyone want to chime in?

I'll chime in...

Work is gonna suck for you today, should you choose to go.

 

[Gumby]

I think you should join the animals community group

 

[spdwaver]

German Shepherd, of course.

 

[tcb]

Don't hate on a Blue Heeler as a frisbee dog. When mine was younger, she could run down any frisbee i could throw.

 

[decavo]

my heeler was a great frisbee dog.. matt needs a water dog to carry in hos canoe.

 

[canucksafari]

.. matt needs a water dog to carry in hos canoe.

My 105 lbs Golden might not carry it but he could do a hell of a job as an outboard.

 

[cruiser88]

red or blue heeler...........love thos crazy dogs

 

[Memphisacc]

Lost my aussie of 15 years last summer. It was a tough time there for awhile. My family has since moved to being a family full of Labradors which have the high level of intelligence but seem to lack the energy level of the herding dogs. So id' agree not much can replace a herding breed. The energy and excitement they bring to every activity in life is almost infectious.

I grew up having a friend with border collies and they went every where he went in the back of his pickup also great intelligent dogs.

 

[Sporin]

I've always been a Lab guy, great family dogs. But I like 'em low key and amiable.

 

[cary]

German Shepherd, of course.

Beat me to it.

 

[fsusteve]

get a pit bull and a pork shoulder necklace for yourself.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

GSD

Here's our Kiki @ 6 months

 

[mattlock]

Here is a pic Argo from Memorial Day weekend. As you can see, he is a pretty crazy looking mutt. The other side of his face is jet black, divided right down the middle of his snout. I might have some pics somewhere of his leaping abilities and his younger days. Honestly, I have seen a lot of blue merle Aussies, and I have never seen one with quite as much crazing as he has, without being blind or deaf or both. He truly is a one in a million dog.

About the GSD's. I am a firm believer in rescue animals. Is it possible to find a good GSD through a rescue organization that isn't going to suffer from hip problems or aggression within the first five years or so? Argo is 12, at least, and I am sure the frisbee has taken a toll on his body. But really that was the only thing that would calm him growing up. I'll take 12 years and a year or two of senior living any day.

Not sure I want a GSD, but I am willing to look into it. In my heart I know that I will probably find another Aussie. I am thinking female and red merle this time with a strong herding drive. But if I found the right GSD that needed a home, I could pull two dogs.

 

[Tofudebeest]

All the planning and looking around on the internet is good, but take your butt down to the pound or local rescue (when you're ready) and see who you connect with. It's the best way, in my opinion.

 

[Granite Grinder]

Here's my boy "Cutter". He's been my buddy for 15+ years, he'll be 16 in September. This dog loved frisbee or pretty much anything that would get thrown, he was an avid camper, sleep a good part of the day because he would be guarding camp all night. If you were camped within a 1/4 mile he included you in his rounds at night. The last year I went to Rubithon (1997) some knew the Canucks were there because they recognized my dog, didn't no who I was, but knew my dog. On the trail he'd hug my left front tire, people that didn't know him would always be telling me I'm going to run him over. Sometimes he'd run a 10' in front of the truck and he'd listen to the truck RPM, when it slowed, he'd slow, on occasion he'd glance back with the "let's get moving stare". The last two years he has had no desire to go anywhere, he used to be the first one in the truck, now he disappears when you start to load the truck. Arthritis has been tough on him, but there is no way I could load him up to take him for his last trip to the vet. I can't even write the words without my eyes swelling. He still gets up to greet me when I get home, he has a big grin and tails a waggin'. He's still eating, despite the fact he's nothing but skin and bones, still ask to "go" outside. Very loyal dog, unless I told him it was allright, he'd never get into any vehicle without me, never entered anyones house unless told it was OK. Grew to love my wife and two kids, unfortunately my kids never got to see him in his prime. OK enough rambling...

 

[Tofudebeest]

One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was putting my best girl down. She was suffering too much. Long live J.T. Chow x collie. Best dog ever. Not one thing I ever wanted to change about her. She was 14 in this photo.