Farm Collie
Some people call them farm collies, others say American Farm Shepherd, and yet another name is the American Working Farmcollie. All of these refer to descendants of the Old Scotch Collie.
Once considered indispensable to farmers, as more people moved to the cities and the size of farms got bigger and bigger, this breed of dog was somewhat forgotten.
However, as more people become interested in farming/homesteading again, the use for such a versatile dog resurfaced. A single dog that excels at herding, guarding (both livestock and the family), and can also be used for hunting and predator control is of great value!
As interest grew in this sort of dog, one of the results was the formation of the American Working Farmcollie Association. Their purpose is to locate and identify such all purpose working farm dogs. A secondary purpose is to keep working farm instincts in all of the different breeds that descend from the Old Scotch Collie, and in all of the gene pools as defined by other registries.
The association encourages double registration, with a dog registered as an English Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Kelpie, AKC collie, Border Collie, and then also be permanently registered with the American Working Farmcollie Association based on his working evaluation.
To qualify for permanent registration with the American Working Farmcollie Association, a dog must qualify in two of the three working areas – guarding, hunting and/or herding.
Since not all dogs will have all three traits, it’s important to choose a dog that fits what you need. However, especially when starting with a puppy, you must keep in mind that the dog may not turn out to have exactly what you were looking for. That doesn’t mean you won’t have a wonderful and useful dog, but it’s only sensible to realize each dog is an individual.
When buying a puppy, ask about the parents working abilities, and what their specialties are. You’ll have a better chance of getting a dog with the traits you want, if the parents exhibit the abilities you’re looking for.
For more information, visit the American Working Farm Collies website. They have a list of breeders , tips on training, etc.
Also, once you have assessed your needs, and what you’re looking for in a dog, keep in mind checking out one of the following breeds may also be a good idea:
These are all good dogs, and may meet the standards of the American Working Farmcollie Association even if they aren't registered as such.
