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Cow Dog Bred To Stop, Herd Cattle
If you’re going to have a dog, why not have one that can work and hang out with you? For team ropers and people who work cattle, Marvin Pierce recommends Hangin’ Tree Cow Dogs. The breed was developed by Gary Erickson over a couple of decades, specifically with ranchers in mind.
  “The breed is unique because it will stop cattle and bring them to you,” Pierce says, noting most cow dog breeds can do one of the tasks, but not both. With their innate herding instinct and proper training, the dogs track and find cattle, herd them and move them to where desired.
  The shorthaired, medium-sized dogs (35 to 65 lbs.) also instinctively hit both the heads and heels of cattle. To achieve fearlessness along with loyalty and intelligence, Erickson started with four breeds. The Catahoula Leopard traits include a slick coat (to easily shed dirt and burrs) and the ability to trail, find and hold cattle. The Australian Shepherd added courage and the ability to hold cattle. The Kelpie added herding instinct and short hair along with endurance. Finally, the Border Collie has an intense herding desire and is easy to train and handle. Erickson named the breed after his ranch’s brand, Hangin’ Tree.
  The breed has become an important part of Pierce’s lifestyle. He initially purchased dogs from Erickson for team roping and working cattle on his Oregon ranch. Now he raises and trains the dogs and puts on cow dog demonstrations. He’s written books and made videos about training and working with them.
  “The biggest thing is you have to learn how to train them. People who don’t know how can ruin a good dog,” Pierce says.
  One of the most important things to do is to keep them from getting hurt. By instinct, an 8-week-old pup will try to fight a goat, for example.
  The typical price for registered pups is about $650. Older dogs with some training start at $2,000.
  Pierce has sold Hangin’ Tree Cow Dogs to customers in Canada and the Deep South so they can thrive in a variety of weather conditions.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Marvin Pierce, Pierce’s Cow Dogs, P.O. Box 911, Newberg, Ore. 97132 (ph 503 476-4247 or 503 628-6049; piercescowdogs@gmail.com; www.piercescowdogs.com).



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2014 - Volume #38, Issue #4