DTR Working Dogs - Kelpie and Single Ewe

by Arlette

This is Cajun, a 22 month old Australian Kelpie, working out on winter pasture. It is shortly before dark and we have just arrived on pasture to move the flock to the night paddock.

The remainder of the flock is off to the right of the picture already heading in. This ewe had her head down eating and thus fell behind the group.

The photo is very simple, without a lot of action going on. Yet it is simple work like this that makes me realize how much I admire stock dogs.

This appears to be a fair and clear job for a young dog. The difficulty of it however, is that Cajun wishes to cut this single off and hold her. The ewes inclination is to bolt to the flock and Cajun's is to not let her get away. In order to be of help to me he needs to stand where he is and let her think about moving on and then let her go there. Given that Cajun wishes to do far more work than just pressure that ewe a tad it is a significant test for a young dog.