Posted on 01/10/2009 4:18:06 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
PEACH BOTTOM, Pa. — Jacci Cook is a big fan of the Hangin’ Tree Cowdog breed. Her husband, Herman Cook, has six of the dogs on their 164-acre dairy farm in southern Lancaster County.
“With a dog on the job, I don’t have to help drive the cows into the milking parlor, I don’t have to help bring them in from pasture, and if they get out, I don’t have to help round them up.
“I love our dogs.”
And so does her husband, and their 25-year-old son, Jordan. Father and son manage their 190-head herd of milking cows, young stock and heifers by themselves. “If we didn’t have the dogs,” said Herman, “we’d need at least one full-time hired hand.”
According to Cook, the best kind of dog for anybody with cattle is a Hangin’ Tree Cowdog. Cook has owned working dogs — starting with a Border Collie — since 1980. He grew up on a farm in Delaware, competed in calf and team roping rodeo events. When housing and commercial development began creeping in on the home farm, Cook moved with Jacci and Jordan to their new farm in Peach Bottom two years ago.
In addition to the dairy herd, they grow hay, corn and soybeans.
Biscuit, the registered Cowdog that Jacci bought for Herman in 2003, made the move with them. “I was actually looking for a Kelpie, but Jacci had done some research on the Internet, and she had Biscuit flown in from Kansas.
“He has been a really good dog. I took him to trials, and he did so well that people right away wanted his puppies. His puppies are now scattered all over the country.”
There are other breeds of dogs that can work with cattle, Cook said. The Border Collie, which originated in the border country between Scotland and England is probably the best known. The Australian Shepherd (which actually originated in California) is another well-known breed. The Kelpie, which did originate in Australia, is known around the world for its ability to herd sheep, cattle and poultry.
The Catahoula Leopard Dog, less known than the others but probably one of the first recognized breeds in North America, is named for its place of origin, Catahoula Parish, in Louisiana.
The Hangin’ Tree Cowdog is superior to all the other breeds, Cook said, because it is the result of a selective breeding program designed to combine the best characteristics of each breed. The Border Collie contributed ease of training and handling, and an intense desire to herd. Kelpies brought endurance, short hair and herding instinct. The Catahoula brought a slick coat and trailing ability. And the Australian Shepherd is in the mix for its courage and ability to work any kind of cattle.
The Cowdog was developed over a number of years by Gary and Choc Ericsson on their Hangin’ Tree Ranch in Colgate, Okla., near the Texas border. It was developed as a working dog. Period.
“If the American Kennel Club ever recognized the Hangin’ Tree Cowdog as a breed, I think Gary Ericsson would have a heart attack,” said Cook.
The breed is about work, he said. Not conformation. Not color. There is a Cowdog registry, and lineage is part of the criteria to being admitted. But a video of a dog’s working ability is also a requirement.
If a dog can’t work, it can’t be registered.
The six dogs on the Cook farm can definitely work. Cook was happy to show them off this week, and the dogs were happy to be put to work, although it looked more like fun.
They are definitely not indoor dogs, so they are housed in six, clean and comfortable pens just outside a storage shed. Cook first introduced Biscuit, a friendly dog with a black coat who is now retired to stud. He was bred to Tip, a black and white female who is the mother of the other four dogs on the farm.
“It takes about a year to train a dog,” Cook said. “We start them with ducks and they graduate to sheep before we move them up to cattle.”
Most of the commands are given to the dogs by voice. They also respond to whistles and hand signals. The commands aren’t so much to tell the animals what to do, as they are to guide their natural instincts.
Although the farm is in the crop and dairy business, Hangin’ Tree Cowdogs have evolved into a small sideline. (By the way, the Hangin’ Tree Ranch is home to a gruesomely famous tree, which you could research if you’re interested in its history.)
Biscuit’s progeny share his work ethic and his good nature, said Cook. There is some demand for his pups and stud service, and Cook has set up a separate business, HC Stockdogs, to take care of that venture.
Exactly what is missing from the AKC - demonstrated working ability!
Hangin' Tree Cowdogs - to see the picture that was with the article, click here =>http://lancasterfarming.com/larger?name=LF20090110_Ccowdog04&type=jpg
To see the website of Hangin' Tree Cowdogs, click here => http://allisonsstockdogs.com/index.html
http://lancasterfarming.com/larger?name=LF20090110_Ccowdog04&type=jpg
http://allisonsstockdogs.com/index.html
Just making it clickable...cuz I’m too lazy to cut & paste.
:)
That seems odd to me. We never needed a dog.
On my uncle’s farm we never had to drive the cows to the milking parlor, the cows knew when milking time was and lined up outside the door and waited their turn to be milked.
Looks like I linked to a breeder, but not the originator of the Hangin’ Tree Cowdogs. Here’s his link => http://www.garyericssoncowdogs.com/
Wow.....I am TOTALLY impressed.
Now THOSE are working dogs!!!! THANKS for the thread!!!
BG,
Thanks. When I view the originals in Firefox, they are clickable links. Are they not so in your browser?
What did you do differently, for future reference?
thanks,
ampu
“The Hangin Tree Cowdog is a new breed that was originated, as mentioned previously, by Gary Ericcsson. Genetically, they are a mix of Border Collie, Catahoula Leopard, Kelpie, and Australian Shepard. It took a decade of breeding to get the end result of the Hangin Tree Cowdog. The Border Collie offers it’s intelligence and trainabilty, the Caltahoula it’s sense of smell for trailing, the Kelpie its’ endurance, and the Australian Shepard lends its’ aggressiveness.”
“They are bred to work cattle, but can also be used to work other livestock such as sheep. However, the dogs can be a little rough on the sheep. Dogs that work cows have to be able to bark and bite. “
I didn’t use any html. I just copied them into a new post.
I’m using Firefox, too....Hmmmmm.......
Ping worthy?
THE HISTORY OF THE HANGIN’ TREE COWDOG.
These slick or short-haired cowdogs were originally bred by using a cross of approximately:
1/8 Catahoula Leopard (for their slick coat and their ability to trail, find, and hold up cattle),
1/4 Australian Shepherd (Hangin’ Tree Black Bear, who won both the Idaho and Montana Stockdog Championships and sold for $20,000.00, was the only Australian Shepherd used, because of his courage and ability to handle any kind of cattle),
1/4 Kelpie (for their endurance, short hair, and herding instinct),
and 3/8 to ½ cattle-bred Border Collie (for their ease of training and handling, and their intense herding desire.)
This has resulted in a tough cowdog that can easily be taught to trail and find cattle. Choc and Gary Ericsson originated the breed to be the cowboy’s ultimate dog. It was named after the family brand—Hangin’ Tree. The breed was designed for endurance, as many cowboys need a dog that can go all day and withstand harsh conditions...and sometimes even harsh treatment.
Of utmost importance was the dog’s ability to hit both heads and heels of cattle. The foundation stock that was selected for the original registry were intelligent, courageous, hardworking and loyal. These slick haired dogs don’t collect burrs or stickers and withstand heat well. In winter, they develop a thick undercoat in colder climates. Contact John P. Lavelle at The Hangin’ Tree Cowdog Association, Inc. about registration. Eligible pups must demonstrate the ability to hit both heads and heels of cattle.
We never had any problem with getting our cows in the barn either.A herd of cows isn’t exactly a brain trust,but they knew that they would get their grain ration while being milked.
Video of Hangin’ Tree Cowdog in action at an early age
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jWgDFXxgUQ&feature=related
Oh great, I forsee rescue groups being formed to take in these dogs after the ‘new’ wears off and/or they have killed the old tabbycat or terrier. Dingo crosses are not pets, they are working dogs. Be very careful in the breed you choose.
I have two Heeler/mutts and they are enough trouble. Used to own a Queensland and she was pure HELL on barn cats and and the other Bigger dogs.
And kudos to this farm family for hanging in there ... there’s not much profit in dairy farming...especially for the little guy.
I equate the small farmer with someone in military service. Thanks for serving. You don’t get enough credit.
Our old Blue Heeler absolutely believes she was put on earth to take care of that cat problem. Other than that she’s a good dog. Loves the kids and is watchful.
Our best-ever dog was a Border Collie.
I think we do tend to overlook the human factor in all this. I think any of the working breeds can do well if their human is able to train them. But if not, these intelligent, energetic dogs are their own worst enemies.
The Queensland I rescued came from a coworker whose wife thought it a novelty. They kept her in a 10 by 10 cage for nearly a year ( I suggested he do the same to his wife )... very sad. I tried my best, but she was scared of the cows ( strange ). She is doing fine with a friend and his family now, but she has bitten the father-in-law. She is however a bad-ass frisbee catcher. Very pretty dog, just has lots of issues. I informed them not to have any other pets...
And, yes of course, a dog is only as smart as its handler/owner....
These are VERY healthy hybrids.
Biscuit
The best name for any dog or child that does good!
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