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Letter Re: Request for Advice on Dog Breeds
James:
I'm writing in response to a subject that is very of interest to me. And I
do understand some of your recommendations (I.e. Poodles are great family
dogs and the standard size could be used for bird hunting, if field breed
(but very hard to find), and I was especially impressed by your recommendation
of the Airedale Terrier, Which one of the best all around breeds a century
ago but sadly is used mostly for show these days. They are very intelligent
and can be head strong when this circumstance may require bid ability.
My suggestion to L.P. in Utah would be to look into English Shepard's and American
Working Farm Collies, Both of which are all purpose, Land Race Breeds
in North America. That watch over the kids, work the livestock and hunt
small game. These are the dogs that built our country before the dog shows
started standardizing and specializing the Breeds. There is an active community
working to reestablish these breeds. And though not AKC (yet), there are serious,
responsible breeders out there. And if you Google either breed you will
find them. I truly believe that these would be the Ideal Homestead dog. And
before you say it, True all of the hunting info that I've seen has been hunting
small game (such as rabbits, raccoons and squirrels) and vermin. But I have
distinct memories of my father talking about old farm collies out performing
high priced modern retrievers bringing back ducks in North Dakota in the 1940s.
If that's true I'd bet that some of those genes are around still, If you look
hard enough. There once was an all-around breed of dog and there can be again.
As a starting point I would suggest checking out the American
Working Farm Collies web site to find out more about the breed and
see what you think. And as I'm also very interested in the subject, I'd like
to post the question to their form (with your permission of course) to see
if any of their lines show any interest in "birding", They do everything
else. Thanks for your time. Sincerely, - D.A.
