From Herding Buffalo to Reindeer

From herding bison to reindeer, Australian Shepherds have always been highly valued for their versatility. Working bloodlines are selected for stamina, courage, and the natural ability to keep their charges on the move and together. Partnered with pastoralists in places like Finland, Sweden and even Alaska, Aussies now test their ability on reindeer. They and are being used to herd domestic caribou —just as they once drove herds of cattle — moving them from the mountains to the sea or from the tundra to the forests to graze on lichen (reindeer moss). Reindeer are fast and dogs are sometimes working in several feet of snow. Determination, strength, and endurance are traits necessary to tend migrating herds during their annual grazing cycles.

Traditional reindeer herders (human kind) such as the Jonnson family who live in Northern Sweden depend on upright, close-working stockdogs to drive their herd long distances of 300 kilometers (over 186 miles) between summer and winter grazing. Here is a link to video of Chippa — a really nice, long-tailed Aussie with good natural instinct owned by Silja Jonnson — working a herd of 2,000 animals after only two weeks of training:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zL0xcxYvVY

Here is another link to an article about how Australian Shepherds were used to work wild bison in Yellowstone National Park:

http://www.lasrocosa.com/bison.html

For the Love of Dogs

I met Joyce Fay at a clinic I gave in Hobbs, New Mexico, a very long time ago. She brought her dogs, Bro and Tracy. They were introduced to sheep for the first time and they did really well. It was an unforgettable experience. Even though they would have enjoyed a career as herding dogs, they became the main subjects of a beautiful book Joyce wrote titled, The Adventures of Bro and Tracy:

http://www.broandtracy.org/book/index.shtml

Through the exceptional qualities of her dogs, Joyce was inspired to help others. Today, Joyce — who is a world-class photographer — uses her time and talent to help rescue animals. She takes beautiful pictures of rescue animals at different shelters throughout New Mexico:

http://www.broandtracy.org/animalwelfare.shtml

Think of ways you can contribute your time and talent to help support rescue groups and your local animal shelters. Be informed, but do not be deceived into donating money to groups such as the HSUS (Humane Society of United States). On the surface, they appear to fund animal shelters helping animals — when in fact they are animal rights fanatics. Instead of helping animals they use your donated money to finance anti-pet legislation taking away your rights to own animals of any kind. To keep on top of what is happening nationally and in your own state:

http://www.pet-law.com/

Americans Supporting Animal Ownership:

http://americanssupportinganimalownership.com

In the meantime, don’t forget the genuine groups that are in need of your support:

STAAR (Second-Time-Around Aussie Rescue)

http://www.staar.org/

ARPH (Aussie Rescue & Placement Helpline)

http://www.aussierescue.org/

Era of Positive Training

People who equate positive training techniques with the era of modern thinking never met Jay Sisler or saw his magnificent Australian Shepherds in action. Sisler, a rancher and rodeo competitor from Idaho entertained rodeo audiences during the 1950s and 1960s with his dogs and their amazing tricks. His extraordinary training ability was showcased on The Wonderful World of Disney in Stub, The Best Cow Dog in the West and Run Appaloosa Run.

Jay was a self-taught trainer. He was a kind, soft spoken man who encouraged his dogs — to balance on bars, stand on their heads, play leap frog, walk on their front legs and so much more—with kind words, bits of pancakes and petting. All of his training was done without the use of a leash. As the dogs grew he phased out the pancakes. In that way the dogs worked for him and not for the food reward. If seeing is believing—you can check it out for yourself on YouTube:

Jay Sisler Home Movie 1

Jay Sisler Home Movie 2

A Few Good Aussies

Some of our greatest lessons in life come from dogs. Through the years we’ve been blessed with so many great ones. My mother always told us that our dogs were God’s way of demonstrating unconditional love and forgiveness. Always ready with a smile. Regardless if you have 5 cents in your pocket or $500.00…they love you just the same.

 My father has always said, if there was one dog he could bring back…it would be Hud. This is from a work my mother is putting together titled, A Few Good Aussies. 

A Dog Called Hud

By Elaine Hartnagle

 When Badger — our foundation stud dog — entered his twilight years, we traveled many miles across the country looking for a suitable replacement to follow in his footsteps. It would be no easy task as Badger exhibited so many exemplary qualities. 

 Finally, Hud came into our lives. He filled the bill beyond our wildest expectations. He was everything we had hoped for and more. He was bold and beautiful, a handsome rascal. He was a clown, but he was dependable and you could trust him with your life. If a mad mother cow or grizzly bear had you pinned to the ground he would protect you without any regard for himself and he never held a grudge. 

 As tough as he was, he was equally as gentle with babies. Late one night one of our imported Manx cats had a litter of kittens. The silence of the following morning was broken by the sound of slurping. Startled by the thought that Hud may be feasting on the newborn kittens, I jumped out of bed only to find that he was affectionately helping the queen wash them.  

Kittens were not the only babies he lent a hand to raise. He helped raise our five children. Hud was intelligent, loyal and fun to have around. He participated in all the family fun including holidays.  Every spring, the kids would recruit Hud for the Easter egg hunt. They put his marvelous tracking ability to the test. He would help them find the treats. One year in particular, we hid a banquet of chocolate bunnies and other such goodies nestled in the hay pile. When the children woke up, they called Hud to help them, but he was no where to be found, so they started the hunt without him. They soon discovered his location in a pile of wrappers as he was polishing off the candy. That was Hud.

 Hud passed his sense of humor on to his pups. Some years later, we sold one of Hud’s sons to a rancher.  One day while the man was working some really tough stock, caught up in the moment he got frustrated and threw a rock at the dog. The dog picked up the rock and took it back to his owner. Like Hud, the dog didn’t take offense against his owner. When that man saw the dog’s response to his thoughtless act — it humbled him. The dog never held a grudge. Another lesson learned from dogs.

“Last Year’s Pups”

Spring is here. The trees are in blossom and everything is getting green and beautiful. It is such a pleasant sight to look out the window and watch the animals grazing in the pasture. It reminds me of a poem my father wrote in 1974:

Last Year’s Pups
By Ernie Hartnagle

Last year’s pups are working now
Getting static from mother cow.
And some others earn their keep
Movin baby lambs and sheep.

Enemy Among Us

PETA’s true colors stood out with the KKK imagery they used to protest the American Kennel Club at the Westminster Kennel Club show. PETA uses intimidation tactics to harass and terrorize their victims just as the KKK did. History tells us when those methods failed; they were willing to commit murder. PETA is now directing their activities towards children:

http://www.petakillsanimals.com/article_detail.cfm?article=156

If innocent children are not safe against their expressions of hate — I am convinced these domestic terrorists will stop at nothing. They are an enemy among us. Just as the KKK hid their identities behind pointed hoods and long white robes, PETA hides their identity under the guise of groups like HSUS.

In the meantime, dog fanciers (of all breeds and bloodlines) slander each other and bicker over inconsequential issues through various Email lists. Of course, it is always with the rationalization of having the breed’s best interest in mind. What a distraction. If there was ever a time to speak up and put the breed’s “best interest” concept in action— it is now:

http://endangeredowner.blogspot.com/2009/01/hsus-turn-in-breeder-program.html

Australian Shepherds and Open Range Sheep Ranching

By 1935, sheep raised in the United States were numbered at 51.8 million with 60 percent being raised in the western states. David Cook, who was the foreman for the Warren Livestock Company in Wyoming from 1920 to 1961, wrote, “From the time sheep were introduced into Wyoming, the dog has played an important role in the sheep industry.  If not for the assistance of these faithful animals, herding large numbers of sheep would have been impossible.  Many times the dog saved the lives of sheep and herders, especially in storms.  When a storm suddenly appeared, the herder could not have gathered the herd and brought them to shelter had it not been for the dogs.”

 

Raising good sheep dogs was a necessary part of any large sheep operation. The shepherds needed dogs that were fearless and could stand up to an obstinate ram.  It was customary to give each herder a pair of working dogs and a pup.  That way, if anything happened to one of the dogs, he would have another to fall back on. After many years of working almost all breeds of sheep dogs including the old fashioned farm collies, Cook, said, “For our purpose, the small blue and white Australian, often with a so-called “glass eye”, became the most satisfactory dog we used.” The ranch acquired their first pair, named Maggie and Jiggs. “These dogs turned out to be the breeding stock which was used to produce our future generations of sheep dogs.”

 

According to Cook, one of the main reasons Australian Shepherds were preferred over the old fashioned farm collie was due to their stamina and power to move large numbers of sheep in the harsh western conditions of the open range. In discussing the old-fashioned collie, sometimes referred to as Old Shep, Cook described them as good winter dogs. “It could stand the cold weather, but became sluggish in hot weather. However it was a good all around dog with the ability to work with changing herders. Pups learned fast, but due to big feet and heavy weight, were very susceptible to sore feet and required a lot of food.” Old Shep was reliable, but lacked staying power for wide-spread sheep ranching.

 

 

 

A Dog Named Bob – Additional History of Australian Shepherds in Colorado

After posting The Colorado Connection – Some Aussie Trivia, I received a fascinating e-mail from Col. Jon Eckert. He and his wife Elizabeth are Aussie fanciers living in Panama City, Florida.

After visiting and corresponding with him, I learned he was born in 1937 and raised in Western Colorado until after World War II. His mother was the 3^rd generation who grew up in the ranching country near Paradox, Colorado – west of Montrose on the Colorado and Utah border. She had a shepherd as a child which later became the center of a great mystery.*

Jon’s grandfather, Harry Sanburg, was an experienced cowboy, ditch rider and the ranch manager for the Mormons in western Montrose County.** Later, in the mid-20s he bought a ranch near Cedaredge which was originally homesteaded by Ed Lavender.

Sanburg had cattle and a reputation for top herding dogs, some of the finest working dogs in the area. As Jon put it, he was “the man with the right dog.” The dogs they used were the type of dogs we identify as Australian Shepherds. “Now Bob may have been a little high in the rear end according to the Aussie standard but the head and ears are all Aussie. In addition Bob had a blue eye as can be seen as white in the black and white picture with my Grandfather,” writes Eckert.

You can see pictures of Bob on the Aussie Timeline (1938):

http://www.lasrocosa.com/aussietimeline.html

Interestingly, when you look at the photograph of Bob with Jon in 1938, he looks like he could have been a full brother to our Badger (Hartnagle’s Badger) pictured with Christine and I in 1957:

http://www.lasrocosa.com/badger.jpg

http://www.lasrocosa.com/hartnaglesbadger1.jpg

Jon’s uncle, Lynn, who currently runs the ranch, related a story about Bob. Apparently, a sheep owner came through the area and had heard of Bob’s reputation from some of his sheep herders who had seen the dog work cows. The guy immediately offered Harry Sanburg $75.00 for the dog. It was the middle of the Depression. In spite of the fact that was a significant amount of money – Sanburg refused. He “couldn’t let his buddy go,” said Eckert.

Lynn remembered Bob as always being right there when the horses were saddled up, ready to go. Eckert commented, “And when we say “go” we mean on foot all day; there were no trucks in the mountain or anything like that. I can also remember him and the other dogs going with Grandpa to irrigate every morning. They were always right there when you needed them and ready to work.”

When Jon got older, 8 to 10 years of age, he would go along on the rides in June taking the cattle to the Mesa. “It was Bob’s and my job to bring back the strays from the adjacent ridge as we worked the herd up the mountain. It kept me busy. Bob or Louie, (a light colored red merle that came after Bob), always took care of me and made me look good. Sometimes we would be a mile or so from the herd with some ornery cow that wanted to go her way. Bob or Louie took care of it for me and after a long absence we would finally end up back with the herd.”

The development of that type of dog in the region was facilitated by the annual cattle round up and sorting. Each year the cattle were pastured on Grand Mesa from June to October. “In the old days, the cattle were gathered and sorted in October and then driven home. It was a good opportunity for the dogs to show their stuff to the other ranchers and in the area there was always a demand for offspring of the best ones,” Jon related, and suggested the breed was refined based on performance and utility. He said, “I don’t know that Bob was in demand as a stud dog, but he certainly was one of the performing offspring.”

His uncle said in those days there were no other breeds but this type of dog in the ranch country at that time. The closest type would have been the Border Collie which was not introduced into that area until later on.

Jon also told me about one of his current dogs named Cory who has the characteristics of the old dogs. I asked him to describe him. “I guess the one word I would use is he is a teammate and always ready to work. I don’t think of him as a pet, but part of a team no matter what we are doing. I try to read his eyes, because that is how he communicates with me. He does bark and it is either out of frustration or joy depending on the situation. Yep, he is my teammate.”

The ranch is still going, run by Lynn and his sons. Even though Border Collies have taken over with the new generation of cattle ranchers, Jon still remains faithful to Australian Shepherds. At this time he has six Aussies. Although, he is out of the cattle business in Florida, he and his wife participate in Agility and Obedience with the breed. He says they are, “still the greatest dog.”

* When the dog died, she was ceremoniously buried in a Ute Burial Ground on the ranch.

“Later, in the 1970s, archeologists were excavating the site and were confused about the modern dog bones in the grounds. An article was published in the Grand Junction Sentinel about the find. Word got to his mother and she was glad to settle the mystery,” laughed Jon.

** Harry Sanburg was in the Colorado State Legislature in the 1930s and is responsible for many of the State’s original water laws.

From Letters to Books

With the Internet only a click away, it is difficult to imagine a time in our history when access to information was difficult to come by. As were establishing the Australian Shepherd from an obscure breed of dogs into mainstream popularity and developing our Las Rocosa bloodlines in the 1950s — there were no videos or DVD’s (they hadn’t been invented yet), many books were not yet in print or available and training clinics were very few and far between. As a point of reference, one of the common causes of death in dogs was distemper, DNA wasn’t discovered until 1953 and organizations such as OFA and CERF didn’t exist.

My mother, who has always been a big advocate of education made sure that if there was a seminar reachable, we attended it. If there was a book obtainable, she ordered it and we all took turns reading and discussing it. We were learning together.

One of the first training books my parents gave me as a little girl was the Purina Farm Dog Book. It had pictures of Carl Bradford — who was the Ohio State University Research Center Shepherd — working his beautiful Border Collies. National Geographic Book of Dogs also had wonderful pictures of his dogs herding sheep and ducks. It was so enjoyable to see his of his dogs moving ducks around miniature white fence obstacles. That is what I wanted to do with my dogs. I finally got the opportunity to meet Mr. Bradford when I was in Ohio for a judging assignment. It was an enjoyable visit.

From the time I was a child, we used our dogs to fetch stock out of pastures or for any other job we needed them to do. While growing up – it was not unusual to see someone send an Aussie ¼ to a ½ mile away to gather a group of animals and bring them into the corrals. We didn’t have to train them for work. It was natural for them to go out and bring the stock in…it was pure instinct. The pups learned as they went along doing chores. They delighted in pleasing us and were eager to gain our approval which was their desired reward.

It wasn’t until my parents met Lewis Pence, a sheep shearer and Border Collie trainer from Ohio that we learned how to teach a dog to “fetch” sheep and other skills to develop successful trial dogs. They had traveled to Texas in the late 1960s to attend the open sheepdog or Border Collie trials and the Catahoula Leopard Cowdog Trials. We were helping create a working dog program, some type of Stockdog Certification to preserve the working instinct in Australian Shepherds.

They met other men who had been to Scotland and learned this type of handling and training, but would not teach it to others. Lewis Pence was a very unselfish man who was willing to share his knowledge with anyone who asked. He wasn’t afraid of the competition. Lewis was also one of the few men who actually trained his own dogs — unlike many of the others who were importing trained Border Collies, but didn’t know how to train themselves. We also discovered that most of the other trainers we met at that time were unable to handle any breed that didn’t react like their own dogs.

There was a lot of trial and error on our part, but we learned and succeeded in creating a viable Stock Dog Program for ASCA that also gave way to the AKC Herding Program. Through the years, many people have called and written letters to my family inquiring about training as well as breeding and raising Australian Shepherds. We have talked with hundreds of people and wrote even more letters. It was only natural that the most frequently asked questions eventually became articles, and the articles led to writing, All About Aussies: Australian Shepherds from A to Z. The first edition was published in 1985.

Even though my name is listed as the author, I could never have written the book without the input from my entire family who helped develop a bloodline of distinction and collectively has conducted seminars throughout North America as well as in Europe and the British Isles. Together, “we” wrote a book — backed by our many miles and years of experience — to give others a resource that was not available when we got started.

The History of Australian Shepherds and the Spanish Shepherd Dog

 

 

The Spanish herding dogs in California and the Southwest have always been known to early fanciers and breeders. Maryland Little’s Honey Bun was considered “the Spanish type.” She was from the Graatz ranch in Colton, California with several recorded generations preceding her. Maryland based her breeding program on both Basque and Spanish dogs.

 

You might ask…what kind of dogs were the Spanish dogs? They were part of the landraces such as the Carea Leonés (Leon Shepherd Dog) developed during the centuries old, cañadas (sheep walks to and from seasonal pastures) known in Spain as the trashumancia. They worked in alongside the Spanish Mastiff who protected the flocks against wolves and other predators.  They also traveled the world with the Spanish sheep.

 

When Spain colonized America, they introduced two kinds of sheep — Churras and Merinos. Spaniards brought Churras in large numbers to provide food and fiber. The flocks not only survived in their new environment, but they flourished and multiplied. The dogs, too, were hardy individuals, toughened by exposure, and they proved to be capable of withstanding many hardships in the rough, dangerous, and uncharted lands of the Southwest.

 

The Spanish Churra (Churro) is an ancient indigenous sheep breed raised throughout the plateaus and sierras of Castile and León. This region in north-western Spain is also where the enormous flocks of Merino sheep were trailed each spring to graze in the mountains during summer since the Middle Ages. In the autumn, around October — the shepherds began their trek back to their winter pastures in the south on the plains of Estremadura and Andalusia. It is estimated that thousands of dogs accompanied them, the smaller ones for tending the flock (carea) and the larger for guarding (mastín).

 

Each massive flock or cabaña numbered around 50,000 sheep would be divided into smaller bands averaging 1,000 head. The droves of sheep were tended by shepherds and their dogs. Traditionally, two herders, four dogs and a pack-horse or mule were employed for every 1,000 sheep. The mules were used to pack salt for the sheep, cooking utensils, food for the shepherds and the dogs, and any lamb that was born during the journey and was too young to endure the hardships of migration.

 

For hundreds of years, the quick and agile Carea León has been used to tend flocks in the mountains of León and bordering provinces. However, as the immense flocks diminished with the decline of the trashumance on foot, so did large numbers of these dogs — many of them becoming a rarity including the Leon Shepherd Dog.

 

Recognizing they could be replaced or absorbed by other breeds and lost forever — a recovery program was put in place through the University of Leon in cooperation with the Leonese Canine Society. The Carea Leon is making a comeback.

 

Their temperament is characteristic of the old Spanish dogs. They are reserved with strangers. They are hardy, tough and versatile working dogs with strong herding and guardian instincts. They are highly capable of handling sheep or cattle and are sought after by herdsmen. Their working style is based on the type of work needed when grazing their livestock in cultivated areas unlike when flocks and herds are pastured on mountain zones and allowed to graze freely. They keep the animals in check in the same way shepherds in other parts of Europe do as they lead their flocks out to graze. They would not be able to manage stock without them as they have throughout the ages.

 

Leon Shepherd Dogs are approximately 18 inches (48cm) to 22 inches (55cm) tall. Their coat is either solid or merle (arlequinados or “pintos”) with or without white and or tan trim (shepherds spots) and is a moderate length. The connection between the Carea Leonés and old Spanish lines is clear.

 

Picture:

http://bp2.blogger.com/_FDQrFrM765E/RwiWS7Hpa0I/AAAAAAAAAgY/RKoFOyIqzGg/s1600-h/Villamoros+07+072.jpg

 

Article on the Carea Leonés:

http://caninaleon.com/art%20carea%201.htm