Hypothetical, just for fun.

[adventureman]

I was browsing the net and found this breed of cow dog, called a Hanging Tree, I think. Anyways, the things looked like mutts, they were a cross of Border Collies, Cathoula Leopard, and Austalian Kelpies. I was thinking last night, if I could develop a breed of dog to better help me out on the farm, what would it be? So I got thinking:

3/8 Border Collie- an obvious choice, arguabbly some of the smartest and best herders in the world, but not quite tough enough for cattle
1/8 Greyhound- speed, speed, speed, and tracking abilities
1/4 Australian Kelpie- hardy, agile, and great herders
1/4 Rottweiler- tough and determined (no I don't have brain damage, its the breeds original purpose, I have heard of many breeders doing it, and my 14 month old male is getting better at it everyday)
I might go 1/4 BC and GH, as well, and I chose the Kelpie over another obvious choice of the Blue Heeler, I just think they are too aggressive.

Anyways, if you had the time and money what would you do?

[ropesanddogs]

Take out the greyhound,they cant track,its all sight,put bmc,and change the rotty to a bulldog (out of catching ,smart dependable lines) because IMHO rotties are too watered down, present day rotties just dont show the heart and grit they used to,Ive seen more than a few tried as hog dogs,and as soon as they get a serious hit,they call it quits...while the hanging tree have some bulldog deep in there.And yep they are great dogs.as far as too agressive,i dont know the meaning of that...as long as they arent tearing livestock up,and theyre doing it wisely,they can bite all theyd like to,but then again,cowboys here need "hard" or "catchy" dogs for the cattle down here,while some of you have dog broke cattle...Just a few things to consider...Me personally,i have thought th same thing and ive came up with this...Ok,to start off,id want some leapord,from a line with plenty of nose,a border collie from down south near the border ( fighting coriente's and brahmers will put a dog to the test)with plenty of intelligence and grit.I personally dont think you need the kelpie and border collie both ,because theyre work styles are similar,tho the kelpie nearly always shows plenty of grit...Also,some red nose pit (theyre streamlined and have nice square jaws) from running catch dog lines (they can run upwards of 10 miles,and can still catch and hold anything)maybe half black mouth cur.So basically it adds just apinch of catch when baying dogs alone wont stop a cow,and last but not least,some heeler,so they wont be all head...This is a great topic,and something i think we should all ponder for awhile

[Haytrucker]

I currently have a 4 year old female that as best we can tell is 1/2 Blue Heeler and 1/2 Miniature greyhound. I thought she was the "ideal" cowdog, as in stayed the hell out of the road, until this past year she started keeping stock away from stackyard gates when I unloaded hay.
I went to help my neighbor awhile back, we gathered and sorted pairs to haul out. Not a real "official" deal, as we gathered with four wheelers, but she was working real nice there. We got into a good sized pen and she sure pushed pairs to the gate nice and easy. When we had enough sorted off, we ran those to the working pens, to split pairs and vaccinate calves. I turned to her and said "go get in the pickup". I'll be danged if she wasn't waiting for me when went to load out. I knew this dog was smart, but...
In my opinion the ideal dog probably varies according to what you want to use them for. Purebred Blue Heelers are a little dicey, I'll admit, but if you ever have the right one, they'll put alot of other dogs to shame handling cattle. IMHO, the training, or fostering of natural instinct, will turn out better dogs than any breed, or combination thereof.

[Denny]

The ideal dog is one who listens.......mine got ran over a month ago she was sleeping under the daughters car and she backed over her.Broke her back leg but she's coming around be another month before she gets around good.( I HOPE) The car is real quiet cant believe she didnt move you know women driver and all.

[Mike]

[Tom S]

[Denny]

[DOC HARRIS]

[adventureman]

[Haytrucker]

Not trying to rile anyone, and I realize cows vary across the country, but around here a "good" cow dog probably never get's within three feet of the quarry, either end. I have seen exceptions, of course, but our dog's teeth are for eating, not "herding". I'm sure I sound like a Border Collie man by saying that, but I always have, and always will, use a Heeler; just has to be the right one.

[adventureman]

[Haytrucker]

My dog isn't pure Heeler, but I have seen some that work the same. Yes most Heelers bite, but they don't need to, usually. A little training on the "good enough" and they do or they don't. If you use a dog to work a crowd alley they probably need a little bite, or the second time some bull, or proddy cow spins, then it's called for. Generally we just use a dog to push gently, saving some steps or riding in the process.