(This picture was from over the weekend.)
I really miss having a Border Collie because they have just the best personalities, but I don't miss having the working farm dog aspect because I have Bea.
Corgis were originally bred to be working farm dogs, but I'd always assumed that was so far back in their past that they'd been "dumbed down" into pets. The two other corgis we've had were very nice dogs, but didn't really show a lot of interest in working on a sheep farm.
Even as a puppy I noticed Bea stepping up when she thought something wasn't going right in the barn. At first I just chalked it up to dumb luck and being bossy, but it started dawning on me that she really understood who needed to be where, and when they weren't she wanted to put them right.
Over the years I've incorporated her help into several aspects, mostly penning sheep, but also rely on her letting me know when there are sheep (mostly Murphy) some place they shouldn't be. I can tell at the house if there's a problem at the barn.
Over the weekend I got run over twice at feed time. Murphy got past me on Saturday night and was so obnoxious that I ended up losing my cool and thumping him with a feed scoop (plastic, but I think if it had been concrete I wouldn't have cared at that moment). Sunday morning Biscuit ran over me. I ended up kicking him in his fat butt with my rubber boots (but wouldn't have cared if they were concrete either).
Both of those sheep outweigh me by double...at least. Both are Cotswold crosses and let me just tell you, do not get between a Cotswold and some stolen food. They are fearless and do not care. Still, to have that much trouble in less than 12 hours...
What. The. [Heck]. Was. Going. On.?!?
Oh, wait. It was super cold and Bea was in the Wool House. I had no back up and those fatties knew it. "LET'S GET HER!"
The next morning Biscuit tried it again, but this time I had Bea with me. I was ready and quickly moved myself and the oldies into the corner and yelled "Get him, Bea!" and Christmas came early for her :-D. Biscuit was out of there in less than two seconds and didn't even come around that side the next morning.
Kate was a tactical herder and smart enough to not get hurt by occasionally taking the high road. Bea is out there throwing concrete feed scoops and boots, nipping heels and barking like a maniac and I'm assuming using some grown up words because the sheep understand perfectly.
This morning, as I rounded the corner to feed my skinnies, I found Biscuit in the stall waiting for me (stupid or greedy or most likely stupid and greedy). I called Bea in...
I can't decide if the best part of this video from the barn cameras is Bea's sharp bark, Biscuit making a fast exit or me saying "We should have had that on video!" Probably it's "Good job, Bea. That was perfect."
3 comments:
I absolutely love seeing dogs do what they are meant to. Almost a year ago I had my first litter in many years - 5 precious dachshund girls, jointly delivered by Santa and the Puppy Fairy in the wee hours of December 25. Weeks later, the first time each in turn picked up an unstuffed flattie and shook it to death, I cried with pride and joy at seeing their instinct in action. I'm glad Bea knows a job when she sees one and makes sure it gets done right.
I think one pf our Corgis is bold enough to confront sheep...it would be interesting to see!
Bea is the boss! No question about it. Having a working dog, who truly understand the term and what is required is a treasure. I love that first photo!
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