It does not matter if I and my sons are doing goose control in New York, Massachusetts or Connecticut, we will get questioned at times about what we are doing. Working with dogs is strange to many Americans. This tradition, heritage that dates back tens of thousands of years is all but lost too many. We call it “working dogs” but not too long ago and for most of our human history “working” meant just “being”. Wolves,wolf-dogs, or proto-dogsand then just dogs (depending on the evidence you go with from the archaeological/anthropological evidence) have lived with us for a long time. It is said that “they” adopted us as much as the other way around. The relationship was mutually beneficial for survival. “They” protected us, helped us find food and then as time went on, helped to tend a major food source, the farm animals. It is said that humans would not be where we are if not for the dog, draft animals like ox, horse, mule, llama, elephant, and also, cats.
Before we started our goose control service, when our then boys were young, we took them to the New York State Museum form time to time. There is one of the Halls is a diorama of New York Native People protecting their crops from wild birds and some wild mammals that want to eat the garden. In the diorama are Native women and children armed with noisemakers and yes, there is a dog or two to help out. The reason why dogs and people “work” well together is that we have different senses, of smell, hearing, and eyesight. The strengths and diversity of our two species senses complement us and make us more adapt for survival and so, to thrive.
So, why Border Collies for goose control and not another breed or breeds? Yes, it is true that the Border Collie breed was not used for predator control of farm animals and keeping rats away for food storage and protecting gardens and crops. There are plenty of other breeds better suited for those needs. And in fact, breeds of dogs as we know them did not exist more than 200 or so years ago. The “dog” that lived and worked with us through most of history adapted and thrived through happenstance and survival breeding to whatever was needed in the villages and farms of the times.
Of course “living with” matters too. And dogs and people developed a strong caring if not loving bond or bonds as the times moved on. It probably didn’t take long to develop the strong bonds that we feel and feel to this day.
When we just look at a dog why do many of us feel such a strong sense of warmth, care, love and if not peace? It may not be true for all people and all dogs but what we feel so deeply is well seeded in our human tradition, heritage if not biology. So how does this all work at its best? It takes “skill”. The understanding of how to care and how to work together and how to perform the crafts of our jobs. And that is, in part, the answer to “why Border Collies”. There are other breeds and even other herding breeds like the Kelpie. Herding breeds are known to Americans to be the smartest of dogs. But it is the herding breeds strong ability to work with their handlers and intact instincts for work, herding, that makes them able to step onto clients’ properties and “work” in our present-day American world.
In the UK, the very popular TV program is “One Man and his Dog” has been replaced by the popular” A Way With Dogs”, both herding sheepdogs. People in the UK and elsewhere are a bit more connected to tradition than Americans seem to be, in general. Draft animals still have a place around the world as a matter of necessity, and maybe an alternative to motors of any sort should be kept in play. I have been taken aback at many Americans’ view that a “functional” relationship between us and animals as being something just short of evil. I will give credence to the thought that all traditions are not worth saving and very worth getting rid of. But sustainable, earth-friendly traditions should be given careful consideration especially if they are handled with skill. Our past can be or can be an important part of our now and our future. We should not be constantly try to reinvent every step of our way. that is not sustainable if not shortsighted.