New Zealand Farm dogs

This is a great article on New Zealand's farm dog. This is a great website and well worth the read.....

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New Zealand’s hard-working farm dogs are worth gold to their owners, who often give them affectionate names such as Girlie, Fly, Stride, Beaut and Loyal. These huntaways, beardies and other purpose-bred herders muster thousands of sheep and cattle across hill and high country – a tough job that can’t be done any other way.

The Short Story

A quick, easy summary

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What do farm dogs do?

New Zealand’s 200,000 working dogs play a vital part in sheep and beef farming. They round up sheep and cattle, which have to be moved across huge areas of hill and high country. They also help to move stock through gates, into pens and onto trucks. Sometimes they separate the animals into groups, or catch one that has run away.

Types of dogs

Certain types of dog are good at herding animals. Common types in New Zealand are:

• Huntaways. Usually black and tan, the big, strong huntaway is bred for its loud, deep bark.
• New Zealand heading dog. These are mainly black and white. They are fast, and control stock by staying close to them.

Dogs usually work in a team – for instance, one heading dog and two or three huntaways. Farmers prefer dogs that are black with white or tan, as these colours are easier to see in the distance than solid black. White dogs look too much like sheep, and may frighten sheep.

for more click on the link below..

LINK

Nice things.....

This is our house with four Border Collies.....especially with a low coffee table!

Best of CL ad.....need to rent ducks

I love Craigslist....some of them are the best ever....this one wants to rent ducks...in Austin......wonder if the ducks get to drink as well?

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Need to borrow/rent live ducks (not a joke)

Hosting a house party. Need ducks for party game.
Ducks will be unharmed and I prefer the owner remain with the ducks to ensure proper care and safety to both my and your standards.
Compensation: invitation to party, free drinks for the entire night, or if you prefer small cash fee ($40?)
Details: ducks will be gently secured into passenger seats of model train set. origami hats made of 1, 5 and 10 dollar bills will be placed on each ducks head.
Guests will pay a dollar for an opportunity pick a hat from a ducks head as a prize as the train passes by them. One dollar per attempt (lap around tracks)

Serious inquiries only please.

• Location: Austin

 

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/aus/3639313186.html

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Good Bye, Bobbie Anderson


Today the herding community lost a great handler, a good friend and beloved by all.  May you stand at the post in Heaven with all of your dogs. We will miss you.

 

Rest In Peace, Bobbie Anderson.

UK Sheep Tour hosted by Premier1 Sheep supplies

for more info go to Premier

LINK

 

UK Sheep Tour

July 17 – 27, 2013

$3150 per person (excludes airfare)
Journey through unique, historic, and beautiful England and Wales with 35 other USA sheep producers.

The Trip Includes:

Royal Welsh Show
A full day will be spent at the Royal Welsh Show—one of the largest and best-attended agricultural shows in Europe. Located in the heart of the beautiful Welsh countryside, the Show features an impressive display of pedigree and commercial livestock, farming practices and ancillary industries of Wales.

Other stops and highlights

• 2 days in London, including an optional half-day guided tour of the city.
• Visits to sheep farms near Oxford, Wiltshire and a Welsh Hill Farm.
• Sheep sale at Welshpool, Wales.
• The mysterious and ancient site of Stonehenge.
• A full day at the CLA Game Fair at Ragley Hall, which features traditional British “country sports.”
• Hidcote Manor Garden in the Cotswold area.
• Free time to explore the old “Wool Town” of Cirencester and the historic town of Bath.
• Entrance and tour of the Brecon Wool Processing Center.
• Guided tours of the city of London, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.
• Shopping opportunities in Oxford, Cirencester, Bath and other quaint towns.

May We Suggest...
Arrive in London a day or two early if you wish to “take in” more of the fascinating city.

For more information contact:

Cheyenne Miller, (800) 282-6631 or (319) 653-9636, cmiller@premier1supplies.com