Dogs on the farm

Every farm has dogs whether they are used for hunting, herding, or simply as companions. Different canine breeds are used for different purposes. Farmers use dogs for herding cattle, sheep and goats. Dogs are popular in lending a helping hand to farmers because they are quick, agile, and do not harm the animals that are being herded. It saves the farmer a lot of time and energy if he were trying to round up animals by him self. Popular breeds for herding are Border Collies, Austrailain Sheperds, Blue Heelers, and Red Heelers. Dogs simply herd the animals by barking and nipping at the animals heels to make them go a certain direction. These breeds are very helpful in helping a farmer herd animals.

 

Hunting dogs are also very popular on a family farm. Most men love to hunt and a dog can help the hunter locate and track an animal that is being hunted. Farmers who enjoy coon hunting would have hound dogs such as Black and Tan, Redbone, Blue Tick, English, and Treeing Walker Coon hound. The hound breed are well known for their keen sense of smell. They are able to get on a scent trail of a coon that can be days old. Once they locate the raccoon they tree the coon by barking at the tree until the hunters arrive to shoot the coon down. Farmers who enjoy deer hunting would also have hounds. Hounds are used in deer hunting for locating a deer and running the deer to the hunters area so the hunter can get a shot on the deer. Any kind of hound can be used for deer hunting.

Proper care for dogs on the farm is very important to keep your dogs healthy. Dogs need to be vaccinated every year. They need to be de wormed at least every six months. Dogs also need flea and tick preventive every month to keep external parasites off of them. External parasites can cause skin irritation and hair loss. Dogs need to be on a heartworm preventive every month to keep from getting heartworms. Heartworms are transferred through mosquito bites and are very dangerous to your dog. Heartworm infestation leads to death. Proper care for your canine is very important in keeping your pet healthy.