How To Pick A Stockdog Puppy

Aug 13, 2024

3 min read

Easier said than done in many cases. I once saw a photo of a singular male puppy, decided I loved his papers and in under five minutes had purchased a puppy. That dog was Boomer.

I ignored all of the rules. Ask to see video. Health testing. Ask some questions.

Boomer was clear on all panels, and he did go on to work quite well as a ranch dog, to this day he works in a feedlot. When he started however, a clinician rather graciously told me the truth about him, even though I could not really see it at the time.

At the time, Boomer was the ideal dog for me. I loved his papers, and I certainly loved him. But for someone new to stock dogs, he was challenging at best. He did have a nice outrun. But he wasn't amazing.

Tip #1 - Ask Questions

A lot of times, breeders and potential handlers do not ask enough questions. I am not a fan of the 'in search of' posts online; because often it feels like breeders do not care where their dogs end up.

Question#1 - What do you want the dog for? This is the biggest question which needs to be answered. You may want cattle dog lines; but if you do not own cattle are you doing the dog, and yourself a disservice?

Question#2 - What is your training goal with the dog? Do you plan to work horseback, feedlot, pasture work, or trials? Not all dogs are suited to trials.

Question#3 - Am I set up to bring on a stock dog? Do you have a lifestyle and an environment where a stock dog can flourish?

Tip #2 - Ask for Video

Video is great, but it can also be easily manipulated to show the best moments of a dog on livestock. It is better to have an open discussion with a breeder, and tell them what you need, what your situation is, and what your experience is. If you are talking to a breeder that cannot tell you all of the quirks of the puppies they have bred; chances are you haven't found the right breeder for you.

Boomer, is not the dog that you build a kennel on; he is the dog that you are built upon.

— Laurie Skelton

Tip #3 - Manage Your Expectations

'A dog cannot read it's papers, it does not know what it is supposed to be.'

This is one of my all time favourite quotes. Sometimes, we apply too much pressure to ourselves, and to puppies; when in reality they just need to do puppy things. More often than not, we also need to learn through that process.

Every champion, has a dog in their kennel that did not work out.

— Billie Richardson

Tip #4 - Play The Long Game

If you can afford to, allow your dog to mature and learn through that process. Not all dogs are superstars at six months, any more than we are.

When looking at a stock dog, the main question I ask myself, is whether the dog is struggling with something; or if I am - and potentially both.

I need time to learn, as much as my dog does; but having the right dog, that you can trust, and that trusts you will make all of the difference in the world.