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Old 11-21-2010, 09:26 AM   #1
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Default FARM DOG vs PET OR CITY DOG

I would like some help from those experienced folks (ie those that have lived or worked on a farm), to help me understand what it means when someone says: " I lived on a farm, and we had farm dogs". How do farm dogs differ from pet dogs?

I know that there are obvious differences I've seen on TV watching educational programs; for example that the dogs often have a "job" to do, herding sheep or cattle, often live outside (with I assume access to shelter), are fed outside probably.

But is that all there is to it? Do they mean they didn't see dogs as companions, love them, train them? Well they must train them, cause they do do work on the farm.

Just wondering
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Old 11-21-2010, 09:39 AM   #2
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I would like some help from those experienced folks (ie those that have lived or worked on a farm), to help me understand what it means when someone says: " I lived on a farm, and we had farm dogs". How do farm dogs differ from pet dogs?

I know that there are obvious differences I've seen on TV watching educational programs; for example that the dogs often have a "job" to do, herding sheep or cattle, often live outside (with I assume access to shelter), are fed outside probably.

But is that all there is to it? Do they mean they didn't see dogs as companions, love them, train them? Well they must train them, cause they do do work on the farm.

Just wondering
This is farm and ranch country. Actually, most don't differ at all. I think they have wonderful lives. They get to go with their people all over the farms and ranches. They usually have more companionship than many city dogs who sit at home alone all day waiting for someone to come home from their jobs. They are generally fairly well trained, because they cannot be allowed to chase cattle and especially bulls - they can be kicked and killed very easily. You will see them ride around the ranches in or on the trucks. It has been many years since I was on a small ranch, but they were companions, not working dogs. Some, not very many people, have cattle dogs - herders. They are usually there not only for companionship, but as watch dogs. Burglaries are a huge problem to an isolated farm home. They are usually brought inside a home or heated building in wretched cold and blizzardy weather. Actually, if I was a dog, I'd rather be a farm dog than a city dog. They get to have lots of fun chasing skunks around, too, and then come home to share their new perfume!

We rescued a big dog once. He lived in town and had been shot with a bb gun. For the rest of his life, he carried a bb under the skin between his eyes. He was much happier in the country than in town. In town, he couldn't run freely and enjoy life. He lived to be an old guy and was my buddy. He was a mix, but he was part German Shepherd.
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Old 11-21-2010, 09:49 AM   #3
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I forgot to add that for the rest of his life he hated to have his picture taken. He had never forgotten being shot with a bb. He always looked like he was going to be executed whenever we took his picture.
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Old 11-21-2010, 09:54 AM   #4
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This is farm and ranch country. Actually, most don't differ at all. I think they have wonderful lives. They get to go with their people all over the farms and ranches. They usually have more companionship than many city dogs who sit at home alone all day waiting for someone to come home from their jobs. They are generally fairly well trained, because they cannot be allowed to chase cattle and especially bulls - they can be kicked and killed very easily. You will see them ride around the ranches in or on the trucks. It has been many years since I was on a small ranch, but they were companions, not working dogs. Some, not very many people, have cattle dogs - herders. They are usually there not only for companionship, but as watch dogs. Burglaries are a huge problem to an isolated farm home. They are usually brought inside a home or heated building in wretched cold and blizzardy weather. Actually, if I was a dog, I'd rather be a farm dog than a city dog. They get to have lots of fun chasing skunks around, too, and then come home to share their new perfume!

That sounds like a wonderful life. I'd love to be able to let my big dogs roam more freely. As city dogs, they do go everywhere with me (I own my own business and they come to work with me). I don't think I'd let my Razz man roam free, he's just too little.

But even with the big dogs, they'd be in my home at night.

Thanks so much for your response
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Old 11-21-2010, 09:59 AM   #5
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That sounds like a wonderful life. I'd love to be able to let my big dogs roam more freely. As city dogs, they do go everywhere with me (I own my own business and they come to work with me). I don't think I'd let my Razz man roam free, he's just too little.

But even with the big dogs, they'd be in my home at night.

Thanks so much for your response
What a lot of people don't realize is that these dogs usually do not want to be inside a home. They are used to being outside in their own element and unless the weather is inclement, they are miserable inside. I've seen them look so sad as if they were being punished when put inside. I've even seen some start shaking! They have to be raised that way and really, they aren't a good watch dog if brought in at night. They have dog houses stuffed with blankets and hay or access to outbuildings otherwise. Really! Most of them do have nice lives and are very happy.
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Old 11-21-2010, 10:09 AM   #6
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What a lot of people don't realize is that these dogs usually do not want to be inside a home. They are used to being outside in their own element and unless the weather is inclement, they are miserable inside. I've seen them look so sad as if they were being punished when put inside. I've even seen some start shaking! They have to be raised that way and really, they aren't a good watch dog if brought in at night. They have dog houses stuffed with blankets and hay or access to outbuildings otherwise. Really! Most of them do have nice lives and are very happy.
Oh I believe you. But come live in my house for a bit, my watch dogs are truly quite watchfull lol.
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Old 11-21-2010, 10:37 AM   #7
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I grew up in Alabama where we had some land. We had a black Lab named Sparky. He HATED to come inside. We had to forcefully pull him inside when it was too hot and we felt he needed some AC; or on those rare nights when it got cold enough to snow.

He had a dog house filled with (straw, I guess; I was little) and a plastic wading pool in the summer; and he pretty much ran free.

He was happy; but would never have been content as a house dog; like Lucy and Ringo are.
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Old 11-21-2010, 02:27 PM   #8
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I don't think I could add anything on to what yorkieusa said.
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Old 11-21-2010, 06:11 PM   #9
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I can only speak from my experiece. We live on a farm and have working dogs, they would be miserable if they did not have this job to do. Both our Australian Cattle dogs live outside and I could never see them being inside dogs. They love to run far to much to ever keep them couped up in the house. They stay outside and have access to an enclosed shelter.

We have trained them to do common commands such as sit, stay, load up, come. But as for the heeling part, they seem to do it natrally; it is really amazing to seem them in at work. We do not have cattle on our farm right now and they have to be watched really close or they try to heard the horses.
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Old 11-21-2010, 06:28 PM   #10
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I have a retired Border Collie that was a working dog for several years. I would say the reason most of farm dogs are called that is b/c they were raised on a farm and know the way of the farm. They know to avoid tractors, trucks and getting too close to some animals. We use to have a Husky that given the chance would shred a chicken if it got out of its pen. Our Border Collie would never harm any animal even when provoked. Granted the Husky learned late in life what farm life was like and adjusted well with little guidance. (except for the chicken bit) Our Border Collie on the other hand would never be able to revert from farm life to city. For one he completely panics when put on a leash. He also hates being brought in the house. Altho he loves hiding under the house at his choosing. On top of that if he was limited to a fenced in yard or inside a house he would be very unhappy.
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Old 11-21-2010, 06:47 PM   #11
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This is a great thread! My mom grew up on a farm in Alabama. She never understood having a dog in the house. She believed that animals were here for a purpose. She couldn't understand my relationship with mine. She passed away last spring but I think she finally understood the "purpose " my dogs served. She absolutely loved the therapy dogs that visited and realized that companionship can be a purpose. My goal for my two is for them to become therapy dogs to give back for what she received.

This thread has actually helped me understand her thinking better.
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Old 11-21-2010, 07:36 PM   #12
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I can only speak from my experiece. We live on a farm and have working dogs, they would be miserable if they did not have this job to do. Both our Australian Cattle dogs live outside and I could never see them being inside dogs. They love to run far to much to ever keep them couped up in the house. They stay outside and have access to an enclosed shelter.

We have trained them to do common commands such as sit, stay, load up, come. But as for the heeling part, they seem to do it natrally; it is really amazing to seem them in at work. We do not have cattle on our farm right now and they have to be watched really close or they try to heard the horses.
I have a 13 year old cattle dog, her health is not so great anymore. But you are so right. Their heeling instincts are amazing. We taught ours to play dead when shot, and get 'em up, to help get the horses up to the barn. When it was time to load the horses if one was stubborn she would jump right in behind and nip and there they would load. She loved being outside and loved being inside with us. Great guard dogs. I can see us getting another when her time is up. My little Bella will play dead now when I shoot her. So cute.
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Old 11-21-2010, 08:02 PM   #13
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There are all kind of farm dogs, we to live on a cattle ranch and have 2 border collies that go with my hubby every morning to feed the cattle, or round them up on market day, border collies also make wonderful loyal companions they do not come in the house, nor do they want to, but they do have shelter in our insulated garage, where their food/water and beds are which also has a 'doggy door' that they come in and out of. our nieghbors have a great pyrenes that stays outside guarding the goats from predators like coyotes which we have alot of as this is a wildlife conservation area as well. My Yorkie stays in the house with me, and only goes out to do her 'business'. but having said that she loves to go and run in the snow and ( canadian hear, with lots of snow) already) when we are out with her. but when hubby is doing farm work, she is in the house with me, or sometimes sits in the tractor with hubby! she sometimes wants to be 'one of the dogs' with the border collies
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Old 11-21-2010, 08:32 PM   #14
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I have spent my whole life on a farm and around cattle and horses. Where I come from, you will find all kinds of farm dogs. Most farmers keep them for a job, but that can be as simple as having a dog that alerts you when someone pulls into a drive, or one intimidating enough for strangers to not want to mess with your property when no one is home. When I think of a farm dog, I think of one that generally stays outdoors, and is of a medium to large breed of dog, and many many times will be a stray they have taken in because it has been dumped upon them. I don't think country folks get enough credit for the care and love they give to dumped strays because it happens over and over again. I have seen incredible bonds between farmers and their dogs.
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Old 11-21-2010, 09:35 PM   #15
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Aw, this thread brings back great memories.

When I was growing up, my dad ran my grandpa's farm (I was the lucky girl who actually had her own horse). Right away, he got a border collie as a farm dog. Fritz was all over the farm with Dad--working cattle and sheep. He was so good at his job that other farmers would offer Dad big bucks for him, and Dad refused. "He's worth two or three men!" Fritz loved his work; he'd ride on the fourwheeler with Dad, or he'd race it and beat it! When he wasn't on-duty, he herded our flock of guineas (ground fowl of some sort) around the backyard. Fritz was so smart and energetic, and his work kept him from being obnoxious and destructive.

He certainly wasn't happy inside the house, and he only got to come in when it was bitter cold outside. Rarely bathed or groomed...the good life of a farmdog!

But he was a family pet too. He holds a special place in my heart (even now I'm tearing up a little because I loved him so much!)
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