Border Collie

Border collie

Other names-none.

Use-Sheep herding, herding, agility and other sports, obedience, jogging/hiking companion, search and rescue.

Best known for-High energy, highly obedient.

Physical description- slightly longer than tall they are very quick and graceful. Ears can be folded or pricked.

Coat- they can be short haired or long.

Color-they come in a very wide variety of colors; the most famous being black and white but they can be solid, bicolor, tricolor, merle, or sable; they are not allowed to be all white.

Height- 18-22 inches.

Weight-males are 30-45 pounds and females are 27-42 pounds.

Temperament- all-though they are very willing to please they need a hard job to keep them form destroying everything.

History-they come from the border area of England, Wales, and Scotland. In a 1873 sheep dog trial, it was noted that a dog named Old Hemp, herded using "the eye" rather than barking or nipping. This impressed the shepherds of that time and Hemp be came the father of the Border Collie; later when a standard was drawn up no rules where made addressing looks, just work type. It was brought to the U.S. in 1915.

Climate-they have been bred to adapt to allot of climates.

Health/care-hip, cancer and eye problems should be looked out for; but usually long lived.10-15 years.

Reproduction-the average litter size is 4-8 puppies

Work- the Border Collie is used when there is plenty of herding to do; this is not a weekend farmer’s dog.

Notes-

Availability-not all that high on the A.K.C. ranking, but breeders raise them for work not show. Very easy to find.

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

Other names- Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler, Australian Heeler, Red Heeler, Hall's Heeler (an earlier variety), Ausralischer Treibhund.

Use-herding semi-wild cattle and some other livestock.

Best known for-cattle herding, high energy in hot climates.

Physical description-upright ears, natural sturdy build with a bushy tail.

Coat- short.

Color-the A.K.C. excepted colors are red speckle and blue (which is black ticked), both are a mottled/roan pattern, not genetically merle. They also come in chocolate (brown ticked), yellow/cream, and white; they can have black, red, or black and tan markings.

Height-17-20".

Weight-Males are 33-35+ pounds; Females are 30-35+ pounds.

Temperament-loyal, brave, wary, strong headed, alert doesn't warm to strangers quickly, hardworking and smart. Many bark and nip a lot.

History-in the mid-1800s Australia needed a dog that would drive hard but not bark and excite the cattle. A lot of breeds went into the mix to create this dog including Bull Terriers, Dalmatians, Kelpies, Collies and even Dingoes (to add endurance and a dog less-likely to bark while working).

Climate-extremely heat hardy

Health/care-deafness tends to run in some strains and some may become blind with age. They live 12-15 years. The oldest dog, according to the Guinness Book of Records, was an Australian cattle dog at 29 years of age.

Reproduction-puppies are born white except for the solid markings. There are usually 1-7 pups in a litter.

Work-they were bred to handle half wild cattle in the hot, harsh land of the Australian outback. Good watch dogs and some make good guard dogs

Notes-

Availability-common and easy to find.

Farm Cats

Cats

When the cats away the mice will play.

Barn cats (type not breed)

Other names-feral, mix, stray, working cat.

Use- mouse control.

Best known for- mouse control, reproducing quickly.

Physical description-almost any cat will hunt, but try to pick ones with large ears and long tails; for good hearing and balance.

Color-any cat color.

Weight-most cats are around 7-12 pounds.

Temperament-mostly depends on how much they where handled as kittens; ranges from very sweet and clingy to wild and flighty.

History-there is no record of when domestic cats where first brought to the Americas. Sailors and settlers used cats to keep mice and rats from eating the ships supplies; so they where probably here very early.

Climate- different cats are suited to different climates. 
 

Health/care- check with locals to see what diseases are common in your area. In the past at least it was considered a good idea not to feed the cats to keep them hunting. There are very few cats who will not hunt no matter how well fed they are. Feeding your cats will not only keep them around but give enough substance for them to fight of disease.

Reproduction- one queen can have 12-18 kittens a year, the kittens may be able to reproduce as early as 4-5 months. Neutered and spayed animals will cause less problems.

Notes-

Availability-extremely common and easy to find.

Alpacas

Alpacas

Huacaya

Other names- none.

Use- high quality fiber.

Best known for- high quality fiber, looks.

Physical description- a lot like a llama but smaller with a slight teddy bear

appearance.

Color- white, off white,  black, tan, grey, brown, red or spotted.

Weight- 100-200 pounds.

Temperament- varies, usually very gentle, but can be quite skittish.

History- they come from Peru, Bolivia, and Chile; where they are prized for

their wool. The Huacaya was brought to North America in the 1980's.

Climate-they are adaptive.

Health/care- in the U.S.A. they live 15-25 years.

Reproduction- a female alpaca will have one cria after an 11 month

gestation, twins are very rare.

Production- an adult alpaca gives 5-10 pounds of fiber a year. Their wool

has no lanolin so it is hypoallergenic and not very water proof. The

Huacaya’s wool is soft and easy to spin. The alpaca's manure does not need

to be composted before being put in a garden.

Notes-it (may be) pronounced whu-kay-yu.

Availability- they are growing in number but are still very expensive.

Suri

Other names-none.

Use-wool.

Best known for-high quality fiber, looks.

Physical description-corded/silky looking wool but otherwise like the

Huacaya.

Color-white, off white, spotted, black, tan, grey, brown, or red.

Weight-Suris may weigh slightly more on average

Temperament- varies, usually very gentle, but can be quite skittish.

History-like llamas they are native to South America. 100 white Suris where

imported to North America in 1991.

Climate-very adaptive.

Health/care- in the U.S.A. they live 15-25 years.

Reproduction- a female alpaca will have one cria after an 11 month gestation, twins are very rare.

Production-very expensive wool, fiber is very soft and may be hard to spin

but the end product is softer than Huacaya fiber. The alpaca's manure does

not need to be composted before being put in a garden.

Notes-

Availability-extremely rare.  

                                                            Liz