Cattle dog antics Working Dogs

The name ‘smithfield ‘ referred to an old type long haired dog that came from England a long time ago and bears no resemblance to what is known as a Smithfield dog here now.

If I get the chance I will take a photo of one.
There is a young male in town, the owners won him in a raffle at a rodeo in mareeba.

he has black face / eye marking , a stumpy tail and a darker grey silvery blue.

things I have heard or seen about ‘smithfields’


-they have a real “sure foot” , their feet are made for working and have decent toes and short nails.

possibly an athletic looking type , decent leg

-they bite a bit harder , I don’t know if this is true people make all sorts of claims.
A cattle farmer who owns them will know.

- great watchdog ,protective of family

-I’ve even seen red ‘Smithfield ‘ stumpy advertised , some times mum or dad was and can be advertised with a tail too !

-may have more black markings on the body

-and for anyone looking for a pup , hard to find !

Here getting the pup used to cows so he won’t chase them actually.

hmm the instinct is still there though.

Here is a male red cattle dog we saw today. He came and had a bit of a bark at the fence.
He is a leggier type.

Here is a blue healer male we saw today ,
He is approx 11 months and over 30 kg.
he is a stunning boy with beautiful fur.
Apparently his father was bigger.

I went to swim the dogs after we walked to a waterhole 2 days ago.

there was a brown snake that slithered in water and the dogs were a couple meters away. I called them in a growly voice and they came straight away.

It was good to see my cattle dog cross pig dog pup respond that way although he didn’t see it.

he is going really well, we came cross a pig hunting dog in an odd spot we were walking off lead and I was able to call him back after he growled and barked at it too.

Here is a 2 year old female cattle dog we saw today.

She has a tail , she was the only pup of that litter born with a tail , the rest had stumpy tails.

Wow!

I thought the short tailed ones had their tails docked when very young.

Kyrie and all her littermates had long tails.

Here in Australia Rick, people don’t do that and it’s also illegal.

I have only recently heard of people Docking their tails in USA , and thought it was bizarre !

They’ve been doing that here since before I was born.

They do ears and tails on dobermans, ears on great danes, ears on some bulldogs, tails on Australian Shepherds, and that’s just a few that I’m aware of.

I can’t tell you why.

If you mean the whistle I mentioned , I am using these.
My pup is getting used to recognizing the sound , and now comes to it.

I get them sent from Tasmania Australia.
Here is a link :https://www.tiergear.com.au/shop/diy-supplies/hardware/whistle

if the link works where you are I don’t know.

I can't believe how cheap your whistles are!!!
I use a UK produced Acme 211.5 Gundog whistle. Mine is orange plastic - it shows up better if you drop it. Prices vary a little but £7 is typical.

I have mine tied to bright colored pieces of cord.

I don’t think they’re trying to make a profit on the price as they’re so cheap and that’s why I’ve got quite a few .

they sell hammock gear , and as a hiking whistle they must be a nice treat to help keep hikers safe.

they’re nice and loud !

Actually I think a lot of dogs that are a “bit deaf” could benefit from owners having one on a string around their neck.

a quick ‘toot!’

To get their attention and then relay a signal or communication once they’ve got their attention.

Here is a 7 1/2 year old male red cattle dog we saw today.

Well my 9 1/2 month old pup watched another dog swim in the deeper water today , which may have unlocked some psychological aversion , to going out that far he had.

a short while after the dog left he started going out deeper by himself chasing a piece of foam /rubber.


He is also learning a lot the last couple weeks.

he has seen my older dog catch mice and at least one rat.

rabbits have began to show up where we walk off lead.

Which means some good sprints from the dogs,
The rabbits get in the long grass (7 foot +) before the dogs get close.
However great learning experiences ,
Learning where I am pointing , to look.
Learning to ‘push up’ , where they run or go into the area I point ,
And general hunting together.

both looks from my other dog and working as a team, stalking .

or also with me stalking when I begin stalking slowly he does too.

we three are communicating with glances at each other and reading each other.

a great week !

oh and one of his undescended testicles has popped out !

so happy

If I was to give 1 tip to anyone training dogs , it would be never lie to your dog.

if you are telling them something is happening , tell them the truth.

this way the will believe you !

It sounds like you have some amazing dogs Sir; which is just what our heelers are!

Those that don’t have them will never know...