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south east Indiana | Not really sure how to ask this. I am trying to figure out how to do more of the things I love on the farm and less working in town. I enjoy having sheep and really enjoy lambing more than feeding lambs. In order to expand my ewe numbers more than the current 100 I am going to have to come up with the money for permanent fence. So for now I am at the max. Focusing on improving pastures and genetics for now.
My other passion is stock dogs. No surprise there. I enjoy everything; breeding, raising, training, lessons and helping find and work dogs. I do not breed much, every 2-4 yrs mostly. I am particular about where my dogs go and do not sell them to every person that calls. I feel responsible for them and always try to get them in the right place - right for the dog and the people. I realize this part of the country does not lend itself to larger livestock operations and working dogs are not the norm here or for that matter in the US like they are in other countries. I would say most people have not seen a trained working dog actually work although they may have seen a farm dog help out here or there. I believe because people have not seen or experienced everything a well trained dog can do and how much of an asset they are they are unwilling to pay for a fully trained or even started dog. In order to raise and train dogs to sell there is lots of time and money tied up in them before they even start the training needed to work. Not to mention the stock and facilities needed for training is not cheap.
So I guess my question is for those of you with livestock that are interested in working dogs to assist in the management of your operation would you pay min 1,500 - 2,500 for a started dog and more for a finished dog with experience? I do not think you can raise a pup for 1.5 years and seel it cheaper if you want to be paid for your time.
Would the breed or pedigree matter if it was working? Cross bred dogs? Sex of the dog seems to be a big thing for most people. What about a dog that is altered?
Then if you bought a started dog what would you want it doing? I would think - a bit of a gather, drive, call off, stop, watch a gate - anything else??
wanting honest feedback
I figure this is a good cross section of livestock folks here on NAT
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? for those interested in stockdogs
