Diva’s Domain – A Look at Farm Dogs

Growing up in the country an assortment of dogs made the farm home. That’s still true today on many farms. Farm dogs are a special part of the farm. They may be purebred, or may be mutts. It may vary on the type of farm but one thing is for sure – dogs and agriculture have a long history together.

Farm dogs have a job – they serve as alarms for visitors, patrolling the yard and home, and providing security. But some might be surprised to know schnauzers, terriers and other ‘small dogs’ have a long history, with patrolling for rodents and keeping the grain bins pest free.

Farm dogs help with livestock – with dogs that serve as guardians of sheep, poultry and calves and others that herd. They ride shotgun to shows and events sometimes, and are content to hang out in the truck rather than stay home.

Farm dogs get muddy, wet, and bound through the snow in the winter. Older dogs often still have the same spirit but prefer a spot by the fire, a comfortable bed and a little extra TLC.

Gael (above) LOVED chasing coons out of the barn and would try to go up the tree after them. She would be gentle with chicks but get right in the face of a ram or buck that didn’t want to move. A purebred border collie, she had the quirks that made her unique, as do many of this breed.

Other places just have good dogs. Beagles, crossbreds of a wide range. Occasionally folks take in a dog that wandered up, but too often dogs left to fend for themselves in the country go after small stock or run larger stock, meeting an end to their life rather than a home.

Queenie is a crossbred, within hours of a needle at the shelter and something nudged me to take her in. She’s proved to be a buddy to the cats, intrigued by the rabbits, ignores the poultry and wants to follow where we go except for her A.D.D nose when she smells something interesting! She’s pretty quiet, just wanting a soft place to lay and not be bothered, but when something is amiss EVERYONE knows! That Beagle voice lets everyone within earshot know something’s up.

Farm dogs aren’t like their urban counterparts. Vaccinations are even more important. For most, spay and neuter is important unless they’re working right with you. It’s too easy for wandering off when your back is turned to an emergency.

Don’t leave your dog to fend for itself, and if you find a well cared for dog in the country, don’t assume it’s abandoned. Farm dogs are good dogs.