Post by stablefood on Mar 30, 2015 19:15:50 GMT -5
I have read a few post here lately about which dog breed someone should choose. All great info. I, also, am considering a new dog, so also very helpful to me as well. Thank you all...
That said...
I had an experience Id like to share.
When we moved here 11 years ago, all the neighbors let their livestock graze this property. The sheep guy sold all his sheep immediatly as he couldnt afford feed for them without 'our' land. The angus guy continued to allow his cattle to cross our fences at will, with his bull. I kept having to herd his cattle back through his gate and close it. A long walk over hilly terrain, sigh. At the time I had 2 queensland heelers (one red, one blue) and my last 2 rottweilers (god how I miss them). One time I put the cows back to their home I had all 4 dogs. They were all well schooled and the heelers trained for horses only (that means 'help' mom push and dont allow them to come back on us, no heading, no biting).
All the cows went through their gate without incident, then the bull stopped, turned around, 30 feet from the gate and 20 feet from us. Why didnt he just follow his women? Bull facing us, head down shaking it, foot pawing, snorting snot... I swear he called me a B!t@h. And me, on foot with just a stock whip, HA! My heart stopped, time stopped. I wish I had video! I sent the 2 queens, one from each side of me (the rotts behind me, obediently) flawless. Both made contact on either side of his head near the top of his poll, hanging off him (remember, they werent for heading) they must have recoginised the terrible threat he was. He CHUCKED both dogs off, I dont know how far they flew. I had eyes only for the bull. I sent the rotts. One from each side behind me, again flawless. Those 2 dogs grabbed that bull from each side of his poll, hanging without letting go. He raised his head with 240 lbs of rott hanging from his top knot, shook it a bit, they held. It seemed forever. I could see him thinking... He lowered his head and must have cried uncle to those 2 rotts. He set them on the ground, they let go, he turned around and strolled off to the gate.
Lesson? It took 2 rotts to change his mind. This dosent apply to everyone, I know. But I just wanted to share IF it would make a difference for someone who may be keeping a bull. I put this herd away 20 times or more before this incident.
I miss those rotts.
That said...
I had an experience Id like to share.
When we moved here 11 years ago, all the neighbors let their livestock graze this property. The sheep guy sold all his sheep immediatly as he couldnt afford feed for them without 'our' land. The angus guy continued to allow his cattle to cross our fences at will, with his bull. I kept having to herd his cattle back through his gate and close it. A long walk over hilly terrain, sigh. At the time I had 2 queensland heelers (one red, one blue) and my last 2 rottweilers (god how I miss them). One time I put the cows back to their home I had all 4 dogs. They were all well schooled and the heelers trained for horses only (that means 'help' mom push and dont allow them to come back on us, no heading, no biting).
All the cows went through their gate without incident, then the bull stopped, turned around, 30 feet from the gate and 20 feet from us. Why didnt he just follow his women? Bull facing us, head down shaking it, foot pawing, snorting snot... I swear he called me a B!t@h. And me, on foot with just a stock whip, HA! My heart stopped, time stopped. I wish I had video! I sent the 2 queens, one from each side of me (the rotts behind me, obediently) flawless. Both made contact on either side of his head near the top of his poll, hanging off him (remember, they werent for heading) they must have recoginised the terrible threat he was. He CHUCKED both dogs off, I dont know how far they flew. I had eyes only for the bull. I sent the rotts. One from each side behind me, again flawless. Those 2 dogs grabbed that bull from each side of his poll, hanging without letting go. He raised his head with 240 lbs of rott hanging from his top knot, shook it a bit, they held. It seemed forever. I could see him thinking... He lowered his head and must have cried uncle to those 2 rotts. He set them on the ground, they let go, he turned around and strolled off to the gate.
Lesson? It took 2 rotts to change his mind. This dosent apply to everyone, I know. But I just wanted to share IF it would make a difference for someone who may be keeping a bull. I put this herd away 20 times or more before this incident.
I miss those rotts.