Popular Dog Breeds
- 1. Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs
- 2. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Australian Kelpies
- 3. Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs
- 4. Retrievers
- 5. German Shepherds
Cattle Dogs
Jacque Lynn Schultz, C.P.D.T., Companion Animal Programs Adviser. National Outreach
Moving a herd of cattle or a flock of sheep can be a daunting task, but one that is made much easier when the shepherd or cowboy is accompanied by one or more working stockdogs. The stockdog may be employed in a variety of tasks: driving a herd to a seasonal pasture or back to the barn for milking, flushing a stray out of the brush and back to the others, gathering the flock and moving it into a pen, cutting out an individual animal and moving it into a chute for shearing, and so on. Generally, sheep are moved by dogs that "eye" and stalk them or "bark" them along. Less amenable cattle demand a more punishing method of guidance. Cattle dogs, often called heelers, move cows and steer by nipping at their heels and then flattening to the ground to avoid the kick likely to follow. For this job, several long-backed short-legged breeds were created. This column will look at cattle dog breeds and the next will cover sheep dogs.
The earliest cattle dog breed still in existence today is the Cardigan Welsh corgi. Its origins are murky. One historical account of the breed claims it came to Great Britain with the Celts in 1200 BC; while another claims they evolved from continental bassets imported around 900 AD. Even the derivation of the word "corgi" is in question. There is not consensus on whether the name comes from corr (dwarf) or cur (watch over), combined with ci (dog). This all-weather dog has a foxy appearance from its pointed muzzle and large, rounded upright ears to its somewhat brushy tail. Its body is long and low to the ground and it weighs between 25-38 lbs. The Cardigan's nickname was the "yard-long dog" because the length between the tip of the nose and the tip of the tail was considered to be a Welsh yard. The Cardigan is a robust instinctive heeler that makes an excellent family companion as well. The breed is a sharp defender of property and sees itself as a big dog in a small package.
Around 1100 AD, Flemish weavers emigrating to the Pembrokeshire region of Wales brought over dogs destined to become the Pembroke Welsh corgis. There was much interbreeding between the two corgi breeds until the mid-1800s which served to reduce many of the early differences. Today's Pembroke is also foxy-faced, but its ears are pointed at the tips and the general package is slightly scaled down, weighing in at 20 -26 lbs. And the Pembroke is said to have a kinder facial expression. The most glaring difference is that the Pembroke has virtually no tail. The breed is either born tailless or docked shortly after birth. The breed's stamina and efficiency made it a popular working dog. The Pembroke is somewhat less inclined to nip than the Cardigan (a problem with all cattle dogs) and enjoys rough and tumble play with children and other animals, making the breed a popular family pet for royal and commoner alike.
Another cattle dog that appears quite similar to the Welsh corgis is the Swedish Vallhund (AKA Swedish Cattle Dog or Vasgotaspet). Originating in the Middle Ages, it may have developed from corgis brought back from a Viking settlement in Pembrokeshire. (Or possibly, the Pembroke actually developed from Viking cattle dogs imported into the region.) The silhouette, skull shape and working abilities are too similar to not be linked at some point in history. While the foxy expression, erect ears and powerful short legs are nearly the same, the Vallhund's body is shorter and the legs are a bit longer. And the breed is considerably more vocal - perhaps part of its northern spitz legacy. This tenacious worker makes an excellent multi-purpose farm dog. Beyond driving cattle, he is a vigilant watchdog and ratter. Like the Cardigan, the Vallhund can be feisty with other dogs and does best when managed by an experienced owner.
When it came to driving cattle in the Australian Outback, tough conditions (extreme heat, rough terrain, huge cattle stations, social isolation and semi-wild cattle) demanded a tough dog. With a lot of tinkering via experimental breeding through much of the 1800s, the Australian cattle dog (ACD) evolved. While considered a purebred since 1893, earlier in the century breeders combined red bobtails, blue merle collies, Dalmatians and the native dingo to create a dog that looked like the now-extinct blue heelers of England but could stand up to Australia's punishing environment. The ACD is larger than the aforementioned cattle dogs, weighing in at 35-45 lbs. and is a shorter bodied, longer legged dog. This enables the dog to cover more territory efficiently while still being able to duck the cattle kicks. Like the others, this breed sports erect ears set wide on the skull, a fairly sharp muzzle and a broad chest. The dingo influence is seen in the breed's hardiness, keen hearing and speed. The ACD is also said to have a cast iron stomach - most likely another trait from the opportunist-feeding (garbage hound) dingo. This tough, independent thinker is intensely loyal to his guardian. This breed can also be dog-aggressive and very territorial so it is best suited for an experienced adult home. ACD puppies need lots of socialization; the younger, the better. Unlike the corgis, this breed is not really suitable for city living.
When examining these 4 breeds and even cattle dog wannabes like the Lancashire heeler (a 1960s re-creation of earlier heelers developed by breeding corgis to Manchester terriers), the cattle dog type stands out: fairly square back skull, sharp pointed muzzle, strong punishing jaw, erect ears set wide apart, thick protective double coat, broad chest, longer than tall, short legs. This dog is agile, independent and courageous - willing to take on animals bigger and ornerier than itself. The cattle dog is a handful - especially for those who are expecting a docile home companion. Cattle dog mixes sport a similar profile and may have the desire to chase and nip at the heels of family members. Households with toddlers take note: gripping is so bred into the cattle dog that eliminating it completely from the dog's repertoire is nearly impossible. While the cattle dog mix is not common to East and West Coast urban shelters, they are more common than pit bulls in the Western Plains states or any area flush with cowboys and steer.
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