Pink Mountain’s Introduction to Stock Dogs

by Carol Nelson

Growing up on a ranch we had the usual collie dog that ran around the yard, bit the odd neighbor and sat in the gate when we were moving cows causing all kinds of family distress!  There was not a lot to do in terms of social interaction so most of my spare time was spent with horses and riding.  At that time fences were a bit shaky so there was plenty of practice moving cattle on a daily basis {without a dog as the one we had resided on the porch full time.} 

The first introduction to an actual working dog came when I was attending the Fairview College Equine Management program.  A stock dog clinic was being hosted over the weekend so I spent some time watching.  Although a lot of it didn’t make sense at the time, it stuck in my mind.  When we took the opportunity to move back to the ranch mom and dad bought us a collie pup for x-mas as well as one for themselves.  Thinking back to that clinic, I got a book and tried to put some of the ideas into practice.  I then talked mom into going to Fairview with our pups to get them started on stock.  That was the day dad lost control and we all lost mom!  The first time moms dog went around and brought the sheep she fell in love with working dogs!  

I was not quite so enthusiastic as my dog wouldn’t even look at the sheep. She laid with her back to them and looked at the wall during the clinic.  Since that wasn’t looking too promising I bought a pup from the clinician to take home.  In hindsight it was probably the best thing that ever happened as I ended up with a dog that had a lot of natural talent and ability.

Moms enthusiasm for the sport led her into hosting various clinics as well as trials over the years.  Since it wasn’t always easy to get away mom tried to bring the knowledge to us and others who shared the same goals.  The first fun day she had will always bring to mind the pioneer spirit that many people in the area had.  Since she did not have enough of her own sheep another dogger friend offered to bring a stock trailer of sheep.  They lived 3 hours away and roads were still fairly primitive in the area.  They got started in off the hi-way and had to be pulled up thru a section of the road with a cat.  It was an all day job just getting here to say nothing of the wear and tear on their truck and trailer.  However, a lot of fun and laughs were had over the week-end and strong friendships formed.  Roads were always a factor in how well trips to the outside world went.  Mom had purchased some sheep, so off her and I went to fetch them home.  Naturally dogs were discussed with the results of us leaving for home in the a.m. hours.  Part way in we spun out and had to chain up.  Laying under the truck in the dark and cold made one start to question if sheep were a real necessity in life! 

Since then the dogs have taken us down roads that are much easier travelling but those early years provided memories not to be forgotten.