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BPO Working Dog Forum => Big Dogs with Jobs => : SA_horses July 27, 2006, 12:28:30 PM

: Farmcollies?
: SA_horses July 27, 2006, 12:28:30 PM
Does anyone on here have experience with farmcollies, particularly English Shepherds?  Or know much about them?

I had heard of them recently on a homesteading forum, but I didn't know what they were until I read the article on them in SFJ yesterday.  They sound like an excellent farm dog.  Black mouth curs sound good too, but it appears that they've been bred more toward hunting and that a well-rounded one would be more difficult to find.

Sofia
: Re: Farmcollies?
: kathryn July 27, 2006, 01:11:42 PM
I have only read stuff about English Shepherds so I can't help there.  But one of Michael's cousins had a Black Mouth Cur and she raises goats.  I can ask him to find out how the cur was with the livestock and have him get back with you later.
: Re: Farmcollies?
: SA_horses July 28, 2006, 11:32:01 AM
I can ask him to find out how the cur was with the livestock and have him get back with you later.

That is so kind of you!  I'd appreciate it if you would let me know...

Does anyone else know about farmcollies, or BMC's as farm dogs?

Sofia
: Re: Farmcollies?
: MommyOfSchnauzers July 28, 2006, 11:36:29 AM
I'm no help there.  Sorry, Sophia.  :-*
: Re: Farmcollies?
: cricket36580 July 28, 2006, 03:53:22 PM
Go ask Windinherhair.  She showed for a long time in ES's.  She's also familiar with them as working dogs...I think several of her show boys were also workers.  As for BMC's, what cha want to know?  I don't have 1st hand experience but I can relate the info that I do by working with people and their BMC's.  They're very common with cattle people around "here".  Personally I prefer an Aussie for cattle though.  They're smart enough to be trainable but stupid enough to keep going after the cows after being trampled.   ;D  They also seem to be more even tempered to me.  Others may have differing, and more experienced, opinions.
: Re: Farmcollies?
: SA_horses July 29, 2006, 05:42:49 AM
Go ask Windinherhair.  She showed for a long time in ES's.  She's also familiar with them as working dogs...I think several of her show boys were also workers.  As for BMC's, what cha want to know?  I don't have 1st hand experience but I can relate the info that I do by working with people and their BMC's.  They're very common with cattle people around "here".  Personally I prefer an Aussie for cattle though.  They're smart enough to be trainable but stupid enough to keep going after the cows after being trampled.   ;D  They also seem to be more even tempered to me.  Others may have differing, and more experienced, opinions.

Okay, I'll ask her about ES's.  :)

As far as BMC's, are they gentle enough around smaller stock (sheep, goats) and are they hard to teach about chasing chickens, ducks, and other fowl?  They are supposed to be able to hunt and herd, I think.  Will BMC's also guard "their" livestock against predators, as farmcollies are said to do?  That is more or less what I am wondering about them.

Although you didn't ask, as far as the reason for this thread...well, a tri-purpose (hunting, herding, and guarding) breed sounds almost too good to be true.  I'm sure you all know the saying about that.  ;)

MommyofSchnauz ers, thank you for posting anyway.  :)

Sofia
: Re: Farmcollies?
: kathryn July 29, 2006, 06:36:15 AM
I talked to Michael and he is supposed to talk to his cousin and find out about her BMC and the goats.  Are you looking for a dog that can do all three - hunting, herding, and guarding?  I have been researching Blue Lacys lately and they are supposed to be exceptional all around farm dogs.  They are supposed to work cattle naturally and they are used for hunting around here.  Not sure about guarding, though.
: Re: Farmcollies?
: SA_horses August 06, 2006, 04:05:42 PM
KFC, yes, that was the reason I asked; I wanted to know if farmcollies are "as advertised," if you know what I mean.  :)

At any rate, I have searched a little over at HT and I didn't end up contacting anyone personally.  There have been several threads over there, and everyone says the same thing about them being excellent farm dogs.

I think I now know what breed I'll choose if I ever have a farm or homestead... ;)

Sofia