Dogs have been helping humans take care of livestock for thousands of years. Although dogs often perform the essential task of protecting livestock from predators, they have also developed the specialized skills necessary for herding – putting the cattle where they need to be. Several breeds have developed strong instincts related to herding.

There are numerous challenges to successfully raising livestock, including depredation by carnivores. Carnivores can kill, injure and stress livestock. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the risk of losing livestock to carnivores. 

Your trusty ranch dog – always by your side and often your only companion for long hours at a time. Besides the friendship and loyalty these dogs give, they also have important jobs to do: protection, varmint control and herding.

Cowboy humorist Baxter Black once quipped, “Working dogs is like manipulating a screwdriver with chopsticks, like doing calligraphy with a plastic whip, like bobbing for apples, like threading a needle with no hands, like playing pool on the kitchen table.”

Our dogs are often by our side as our best companions, watching over us without even being asked. They selflessly just do, and they are more than deserving of the same protection and care in return.