Finding a true working GSD

[onyx'girl]

Originally Posted by sparra

I am in Australia and we farm sheep here too. Not sure if it is the same way....we have vast open paddocks.....up to 1,000 acres.....sheep dogs here are required to go out into the paddock and move the sheep into a mob and then "drive" the sheep to a destination OR work in the yards drafting sheep etc......all of which are probably more suited to the border collie or kelpie which is why I asked what you wanted to do. Still not quite sure what you are needing or why the borders would not be working out for you??

I'm really surprised Kelpies aren't very common in the US. They aren't bred for looks, obviously, but they are smart, agile and great working dogs. I was lucky to be able to foster a GSD/Kelpie mix and he was amazing!
I think they'd give many breeds a run for their money on an agility course or any other sport they were given the chance to do!

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

a friend of mine has a pack of 5 donkeys, and believe you me, they will kill a dog/coyote or whatever tries to get in with them.

However, I don't know if a 'lone' donkey could do it, but a pack of them work together.

Donkey versus dog (some breeds) or coyote = YES

Donkey versus wolves = I would have to see it to believe it. Wolves can pull down and kill a full grown Moose or Bison!

[sparra]

Originally Posted by codmaster

Donkey versus dog (some breeds) or coyote = YES

Donkey versus wolves = I would have to see it to believe it. Wolves can pull down and kill a full grown Moose or Bison!

Yeah you are probably right although I think the way donkeys do their best work is not actually killing them but just "confronting" them. If our dogs go into the paddock our donkeys will run at them and chase them away no questions asked so whether or not that would be enough to deter the wolves I don't know but they get pretty angry when they chase and I think it would put the wind up them. All the literature we read b4 getting ours was US based so they must be pretty popular over there.

Onyx'girl......yes Kelpies are incredible dogs......we use them over border collies here and yes I think they would be very good at agility if you could keep up with them!!!!