Dutch Shepherd Forum

There's some discussions peppered on the forum about livestock and the DS. You know how crazy their prey drive is--and it's only my guess, but I'd guess BCs, heelers, etc. are more easily trained around animals.

Originally, DS were bred for herding, but that changed. Some can still herd (more line-herding) and with good training, only a few chickens and goats get sacrificed. Some DS will never be trustworthy enough to herd.

My point is: DS training might be different from what you're used to in regard to other animals, even if you don't plan on training for herding.

If you do plan to train for herding:

Your dog will be going to work with you?

Yes, He will attend with me most days. I have traveled so much over the past couple years having a dog wasnt an option. Our pets dont send much time alone. They would die if we left them and went on a trip they are spoiled. My parents live 2.5 hours away and that is were our dogs go if we cant take them on a trip.

Raven wrote:There's some discussions peppered on the forum about livestock and the DS. You know how crazy their prey drive is--and it's only my guess, but I'd guess BCs, heelers, etc. are more easily trained around animals.

We currently have chickens also. I have owed everthing form bull dogs to coon dogs and had them with chickens. I have always let them be a part of the feeding process for all the other animals and give them treats for helping so they feel like they are a part of it and dont become jealous. I hope this will work out but i'm sure it will just take a lot of extra time. We did get an adult herding dog one time that we had some issues with, but once we incorperated them into the process and let them be the chicken boss things got alot better.

With the Border Collie and the Blue Heeler they both seem to have a really good understanding of what is theirs on the farm to protect and what is not supose to be there. Does the DS not develope that or is the herding gene so far gone?

Our last BC was almost 16 when we lost him, he never was fond of chickens but only caused problems when he was jealous like if we got new animals on the farm, he would pout and cause a little problem.

I was hoping for a challege with this pup and from what you guys are telling me i think i have accomplished that task.

At least with the two I've had, herding was NOT what was/is on their minds to do with other animals, and most other members have had that same experience.

If you look under (can't recall the name of the section), you'll see some threads about people who either tried to train or did train their DSs for herding. Based on my extremely limited knowledge of the subject, my take-away was that everyone had to work really hard to channel that drive into herding, since herding is less of what they've been being bred to do since the breed was first developed.

Oh, man, are you going to have fun! Although I'm reminded of an adage: be careful what you wish for. Bwwwaaahahahahah.

BC not fond of chickens....Cracked me up.

Raven wrote:At least with the two I've had, herding was NOT what was/is on their minds to do with other animals, and most other members have had that same experience.

If it moves, it's a snack... Mice, rabbits, birds, lizards...

Prey drive in certain lines is too high for herding, as well as aggression. Higher the drives the harder or more impossible it is to NOT kill it once captured. Control can be taught but not always a guarantee.

Stacy_R wrote:If it moves, it's a snack... Mice, rabbits, birds, lizards...

Deer, fox, cats, dogs--if it moves or makes noise, the DS wants it.

My guy doesn't care about anything that is dead, and he won't eat any kills.

But of course, he doesn't kill things any more as long as I see it/him first and call him off. (And that took a looooooooong time to reach that point.)

EDIT: we cross-posted, Kira. And dang, woman. You are on fire with your succinct explanations. I need to keep quiet and let you explain in a few words what I'm taking 100 or more to say.

The wait is hard
My first DSD is 10 months old now. We just moved onto our 10 acre homestead, along with doing IPO sport with her she is also going to be our farm dog. So far she has met and can be 99% trusted with our chickens (I don't say 100% because she is just a dog and things happen), she has met our young baby hogs, only once so far but the meeting went without issue. We have a couple goats coming next month and some Dexter cows too. Hopefully she will do just as great with those critters also. She runs the property all day with us, we don't run but drive a quad LOL, such cheaters She is not one to run off at all, and remains within view of us at all times. She loves it out here! Almost like she has it in her blood to be a farm dog...oh wait, she does

Owned-By-Hendrix wrote:Prey drive in certain lines is too high for herding, as well as aggression. Higher the drives the harder or more impossible it is to NOT kill it once captured. Control can be taught but not always a guarantee.

Yes.... We're still working on the "not killing once catching" part...

Tyson is great at the "drop it" command. He responds beautifully...unless it's something that he caught... Last time he caught a mouse I looked at him and gave the command...he looked at me, swallowed it, and then looked at me again with a "drop what, mom?" look... sigh...

Sadie is sharp as a tack, if it moves it gets pounced and played with until dead. If I yell at her to out, she will push it out with her tongue and look at me like she dosnt know what Im talking about.

1 week to go

Livetoride wrote:He is a Carlos pup. Alphak9kennels.

Who's the dam? I'm surprised a puppy from Carlos would be going to a person not doing protection work, especially someone new to the breed. That wouldn't be my pick for a family dog and I probably wouldn't pick it for myself at all, even though I have 2. Did the breeder say anything about your puppy being more of a pet dog?

Cute!!!!!!!!!!!! More pics please

LyonsFamily wrote:

Livetoride wrote:He is a Carlos pup. Alphak9kennels.

Who's the dam? I'm surprised a puppy from Carlos would be going to a person not doing protection work, especially someone new to the breed. That wouldn't be my pick for a family dog and I probably wouldn't pick it for myself at all, even though I have 2. Did the breeder say anything about your puppy being more of a pet dog?

I have to agree with pp...and must add after looking at Alpha K9's site and Carlos' pedigree, I would really doubt you will get a herding dog from that pedigree...a lot of Mali in their Dutch Shepherds. Good luck!