What are border collies good at on the farm?
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Question by ♥~Amanda~♥: What are border collies good at on the farm?
I’m stuck on border collies right now and I’m wondering what kind of work they do on a farm? And if you like another breed better for farm life and kids (12-18 years old), please let me know 🙂
What do you think? Answer below!
7 Responses to What are border collies good at on the farm?
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Herding.
It’s what they were bred to do.
♦Dalmatian Appreciation♦
May 11, 2013 at 4:17 am
They herd the animals, they keep coyotes or any predators out of the yard and away from the livestock, they are amazing with kids. They are smart and loyal and don’t run away. And they just give you company if you are working outside. Great dogs.
Kirsten Dammie
May 11, 2013 at 4:24 am
collies of all breeds were bred for herding sheep and another good farm and family dog is an austrailian cattle dog they were bred to herd cows
angelina camacho
May 11, 2013 at 5:19 am
border collies are great ranch dogs. however there is a natural protective instinct in them that has been known to cause aggresiveness towards younger children. i would advise a collie, not a border collie, the difference in there nature is slight, but enough to not be quite such a risk. with good training however, and the proper and positive steps, a border collie would do just fine.
charmedwitch94
May 11, 2013 at 6:05 am
Certain dogs are good at certain things, and traditionally people thought this had to do with breed. True, some breeds are better at certain tasks, but it still also depends on the individual animal. You can’t take a sheep herding breed of dog that has lived inside a house its entire life, put it on a farm, and expect it to know what to do. No, it still sometimes involves training or conditioning.
That being said, my uncle is a farmer here in Oklahoma, and all of his border collies, which have been breeding and living on the farm for like 30 years, are very good at watching over sheep, goats, and cattle. But this is also because these dogs grew up on the farm and were raised doing this job.
There are also other breeds of dogs they have at this farm doing the same thing.
It is just like people: you may have a family of doctors, but a son who is born in a family of doctors isn’t just naturally going to be a good doctor, they still need the proper training and motivation to do such a job.. Living on a farm is similar: you cannot take a person who grew up in a city playing video games all day and put them on a farm and expect them to know what to do; but if the kid grew up on a farm, they would grow up doing that and therefore would know what to do.
Brussell
May 11, 2013 at 6:14 am
They will herd almost anything, sheep, goats, cattle and other animals. off the farm they will herd kids, bikes and cars too!
They are just wonderful dogs IMHO and smart as a whip!
My adopted BC is a-typical and would rather be inside with me (a low energy BC is very A-typical) and for those wondering, I have had her thyroid checked 2 times and it is normal!
She is about the sweetest dog I have ever owned and only wants to please.
Children under 12 can be a problem (or small kids) as BCs will think they are farm animals that need herding. They will do their thing and gradually escalate until the sheep (child) does what it wants!!! This could include heel nipping and kids must be taught about what a BC will do
Most BCs need to have a “job” and your farm sounds just perfect! Go for it…you will not regret it!
gizzer777
May 11, 2013 at 6:36 am
Oh my. Are you kidding? A farm is excellent for Border Collies. Especially if there is sheep or some sort of animal that she/he can herd. You will have so much fun with your BC on the farm! Good luck! 🙂
BClover
May 11, 2013 at 7:32 am