Drawbar
07-05-2008, 02:55 PM
I got to admit I love our Welsh Pembroke Corgis. These dogs, (belonging to the family farm and not really mine per se) have never had any training. The instinct is so deep within them that training is not really needed. A little guidance at an early age and they work just fine, or at least of the three we have do (one died).
Ours typically works in pairs. The two we have now do not work as good together as the first two did, but they still work. Its to the point now that we have some heifers that absolutely refuse to stay behind a fence. Every time the Corgis see these cows out, they start barking, then run out and herd them up. In a matter of minutes they are behind the fence again without ANY human intervention. Sometimes we mend the fence, but mostly we just let the dogs keep the heifers in. No kidding. They like it and the cows are not really doing harm so its a cycle that plays itself out until we can get out there and mend it.
As for their style. I am not sure it would work well for sheep or goats, but I am going to try it nonetheless when I get some of my own. The problem is, Corgis work well because they herd by nipping at the ankles of the cows. When the cows kick, the swinging trajectory of the hoof passes right over the Corgi so they seldom get lambasted in the head.
The Corgis really shine at foot trimming time. Our cows are nervous at going through the chutes, but with the Corgis driving them, they head right in and are done. We could do it without them, but it would be harder. Just telling the Corgi's "Go get the girls", and they round them up from the pasture is a true help.
We did just have a major incident with a Corgi though. We were milking a first time heifer and she was a bit nervous at the whole routine. Adding bad to worse, a new guy was in the barn that does not understand cows. As the Corgi drove the new cow into a stall, he stepped in front of the cow. That approach caused the cow to step back, and as it did, it stepped on the front paw of the Corgi. And then it turned on its hoof driving the paw into the concrete and ripping off all its pads. That Corgi is okay, just limping on his paw which will take awhile to heal.
I guess what is really amazing about the Corgi's is their lack of training and yet amazing ability to herd efficiently. These are well breed Corgi's however, and they were not cheap, but they do work, and work so well that they are a part of the farm. And thus their needs are ALL tax deductible. It may not seem so, but we have been audited several times and the deductions were never questioned.
How will they work on sheep or goats? I don't know. I am afraid they may get kicked because a sheep is shorter then a cow. Still a sheep can see better behind itself, so the mere presence of a dog should drive them forward. Just keep in mind these are herding dogs, not guard dogs. They would flunk at that role I am afraid.
Ours typically works in pairs. The two we have now do not work as good together as the first two did, but they still work. Its to the point now that we have some heifers that absolutely refuse to stay behind a fence. Every time the Corgis see these cows out, they start barking, then run out and herd them up. In a matter of minutes they are behind the fence again without ANY human intervention. Sometimes we mend the fence, but mostly we just let the dogs keep the heifers in. No kidding. They like it and the cows are not really doing harm so its a cycle that plays itself out until we can get out there and mend it.
As for their style. I am not sure it would work well for sheep or goats, but I am going to try it nonetheless when I get some of my own. The problem is, Corgis work well because they herd by nipping at the ankles of the cows. When the cows kick, the swinging trajectory of the hoof passes right over the Corgi so they seldom get lambasted in the head.
The Corgis really shine at foot trimming time. Our cows are nervous at going through the chutes, but with the Corgis driving them, they head right in and are done. We could do it without them, but it would be harder. Just telling the Corgi's "Go get the girls", and they round them up from the pasture is a true help.
We did just have a major incident with a Corgi though. We were milking a first time heifer and she was a bit nervous at the whole routine. Adding bad to worse, a new guy was in the barn that does not understand cows. As the Corgi drove the new cow into a stall, he stepped in front of the cow. That approach caused the cow to step back, and as it did, it stepped on the front paw of the Corgi. And then it turned on its hoof driving the paw into the concrete and ripping off all its pads. That Corgi is okay, just limping on his paw which will take awhile to heal.
I guess what is really amazing about the Corgi's is their lack of training and yet amazing ability to herd efficiently. These are well breed Corgi's however, and they were not cheap, but they do work, and work so well that they are a part of the farm. And thus their needs are ALL tax deductible. It may not seem so, but we have been audited several times and the deductions were never questioned.
How will they work on sheep or goats? I don't know. I am afraid they may get kicked because a sheep is shorter then a cow. Still a sheep can see better behind itself, so the mere presence of a dog should drive them forward. Just keep in mind these are herding dogs, not guard dogs. They would flunk at that role I am afraid.