When I mention that we use our Australian Kelpie stockdogs to herd our goats, I often hear "Oh, we just have a small herd of goats and they follow us everywhere...we don't need a dog." I hear that almost as often as I hear "humorous" tales of escaped goats, uncooperative bucks, and renegade kids and goats gone walkabout. We've had working Kelpies for over 15 years and I've used them to herd dairy, meat and fiber breeds of goats, sheep, cattle and even poultry.
Kelpies are natural "heading" dogs...this means that their instinct is to run around or flank the livestock and get to the heads, then turn them and bring them back to you. This instinct is handy because you become the target for all of the dog's actions. You simply walk where you want the stock to go and the dog brings them along behind, keeping the herd together.
How Stockdogs Help with Goats
Kelpies and other stockdogs help by:
Common Questions
Do stockdogs need a lot of or professional training? Can I train it myself?
A well-bred stockdog (one that is bred to work) can manage stock with a minimum of basic training. My current dog knows about five commands...come, lie down, get out (around the stock), walk up (move the stock forward), and that'll do (stop working the stock). Most of these commands are either taught off of livestock or the commands are paired with the action the dog is already doing. It always helps to see someone who is experienced work with a dog (something to ask a breeder to show you!)
What does a stockdog cost?
The purchase price is always the smallest number of the equation when buying any animal, be it a registered Oberhasli goat or well-bred working stockdog. Started or trained dogs, because of the investment of time, cost more, but can go to work immediately. Puppies require a year to eighteen months to develop enough to be useful. In Kelpies, you can expect to pay $350-$500 for a good pup, $800 for a started dog (basic stockwork), and $1500 or more for a fully trained dog that you could take to herding trials. Rarely does one need the latter. I tend to recommend puppies because the become members of the household and seem to bond well and work more instinctually when brought up around the stock they will work.
I've heard that stockdogs can be hyper and are not good in the house, is that true?
We keep six Kelpies happily in our small house. While they all have plenty of energy, they get lots of exercise going along on chores. Stockdogs CANNOT be left loose unsupervised, however, as they WILL go to livestock and herd, whether you want them to or not. Ours are in the house, kenneled outside, or with us at all times.
Will a stockdog bite or hurt my goats?
Here's where you need to really talk at length (and see the parents of your potential stockdog) work. Breeds and stockdog lines that do a lot of work on sheep would probably be best for working goats. These types of dogs work at a good distance from the goats and are quiet and respectful of them. While a stockdog should be able to bite a nose to stop an attack, they should not grab any part of the body. Some stockdogs bred strictly for working cattle may be too rough to work goats, so do learn more about the working style of the dogs you are interested in.
Are certain breeds better than others?
In the US, most breeds of dogs no longer do what they were originally bred for. While there are some individual dogs in the AKC "herding" group that can still herd, to be assured of getting a dog that will reliably work livestock, concentrate on those working breeds. Breeds that can work goats include Kelpies, Border Collies, McNabs, working-bred Australian Shepherds, and farm collies (see http://www.geocities.com/farmcollie1/assn.html ...these are NOT Lassie-type collies). It helps to get to know people who are already using stockdogs so you can learn to recognize what good working dogs do.
What kind of care do stockdogs require?
Stockdogs require quality care, just as companion dogs do. They do need shelter, routine veterinary care, a good quality food, fresh water, and thrive on attention from their people. They should be housed away from livestock...either in the house or kenneled out of site of the stock. Stockdogs benefit from basic obedience training and socialization.
For More Information
Stockdogs Magazine
Provides information about a variety of breeds of working stockdogs for the
farmer and rancher. Judith will provide a free sample issue and subscription
information is available on her website or by contacting her.
Judith Selby, Editor/Publisher
PO Box 995
Mancos, CO 81328
http://www.stockdogsmagazine.com/
stockdog@fone.net
1-970-533-1375
Working Border Collie Magazine
While geared toward the Border Collie owner who participates in herding trials,
there is often good information for those farmers and ranchers who prefer this
breed of stockdog.
The Working Border Collie
14933 Kirkwood Road
Sidney, Ohio 45365
Phone (937) 492-2215 or Fax (937) 492-2211
http://www.working-border-collie.com/
wbc@bright.net
The Working Kelpie and North American Australian Kelpie Registry
http://www.kelpiesinc.com
This website provides information about the Australian Kelpie, offers a North
American Registry, has photos, resources, and breeder listings.
The Working Kelpie Council, Australia
http://www.wkc.org.au/
The original organization for Kelpies in their homeland, WKC provides lots of
information about the breed, history, and use on livestock.
Bud Williams Stockmanship
http://stockmanship.com/stockdogs.htm
Bud Williams has a lifetime of experience managing livestock in a kind and stress-free
manner. He offers insights in how to train and use stockdogs to make it easier
on the person and less stressful on the animals.