Scottish Collie

Amazing the amount of stuff that the RVing community has knowledge of.
I think aa trip to a couple of animal shelters is in order. Problem is the first one to grab my heart might not be the right one.

BCSnob wrote:
Scotch Collie is a type of dog not a breed in the same way a pit bull is a type of dog not a breed. People trying to revive the Scotch Collie are trying to create a new breed to look like what Collies used to be 100 years ago before show breeders altered the looks and lost the working ability of Collies. Also, collie is the term used in the UK for herding dogs.

Thanks for the clarification...

Scotch Collie is a type of dog not a breed in the same way a pit bull is a type of dog not a breed. People trying to revive the Scotch Collie are trying to create a new breed to look like what Collies used to be 100 years ago before show breeders altered the looks and lost the working ability of Collies. Also, collie is the term used in the UK for herding dogs.

livestock guardian dogs
Lots of good info here on working LSGs; click on one of the breed photos at the top of the webpage for more info on that breed of LGD. You want one from working lines, or tested on livestock, if you want it to protect stock against serious predators.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog Rescue League has "Buddy in NC" (1 year old) listed for adoption, Buddy has been tested with livestock.

Our Sam (Maremma Sheepdog) does let us know when strangers show up on the farm. When Soil Conservation people were on the farm he stayed between them and his sheep the entire time. Once he sees us greet farm vistors he is more likley to be friendly with vistors. When a stray dog showed up, he stood between it and his sheep barking at the stray. He runs off the fox, I'm not sure if we've had coytes on the farm since we got Sam so I don't know what he will do with them.

Great Pyrenees are supposed to be the most people friendly of the most common LGDs; they also have the most coat.

Maremmas are supposed to be a bit more aloof with strangers and have less coat that Pyrenees.

Anatolian Shepherds and Akbash are supposed to be the least friendly with strangers and more agressive with preditors (will kill stray dogs and coyotes). Anatolians have short coats.

LGDs work by warning threats with barking.

Mark

down home wrote:
Got to be a good guard dog as well as a companion and watch whatever stock we get.

I think maybe you need to narrow down, or at least prioritize, what you're looking for. 'Cause that's a lot to ask for in one dog.

Are you sure you want a guard dog as opposed to a watch dog? Are you prepared to put in the time and effort training and managing a dog with guarding instincts?

I would say a livestock guardian dog best fits what you want, but one of them is going to be much more interested in protecting livestock than protecting you. So . . . prioritize.

Livestock guardian dogs

Collies are herding or droving dogs, not livestock guardian dogs.
I've seen photos of so-called "Old Time Scotch Collies" and can't for the life of me see why they are a breed unto themselves. They either look like working collies or English Shepherds to me.

Shetland Sheepdogs are NOT miniature collies. They come from a spitz hertiage that was later mixed with some collies.

Do you mean Shetland Sheepdog AKA Sheltie?

I'm not familiar with Scottish collies, but if you're looking for a dog that would watch the stock and be able to deal with coyotes, you might want to look for a livestock guardian dog rescue in your area.

Although I think something in the collie/shepherd mix might suit pretty well.

romore wrote:
Are you looking for a miniature or standard? They are absolutely beautiful dogs with a very mild temperament.
The long coat does need a lot of grooming, they shed something fierce.

Sounds like you might have one
Not familiar with them. Didn't know about miniatures. Grooming could be a problem with the woods around here. One concern in coyotes. Neighbor shot one today after his chickens.
I suppose I would have to let him or she inside. Shedding? how about temperment for inside environment part time?

Are you looking for a miniature or standard? They are absolutely beautiful dogs with a very mild temperament. The long coat does need a lot of grooming, they shed something fierce.