SIOUX

It goes without saying that Sioux is my most prized possession and I'll go a step further in saying that she is the lifeblood of our cattle operation. There are "once in a lifetime" type of dogs and she fits that bill. She is intelligent, powerful, biddable, savvy, and is a dream to work. I have the aspirations to contribute to the Aussie breed with select breedings to Sioux to hopefully create quality dogs with a heavy dose of work ethic and instinct. 

Working Style: Sioux plays to her strengths with her calm confidence. Her approach to stock is with focus and intent. Sioux works unlike 99% of the breed and has a bit of style. She generally prefers to use "eye" to move the cattle upon first approach, authoritatively; one could say she is patient and also persistent. She is adamant about giving the cattle the opportunity to move off her pressure prior to gripping and will turn up the intensity as the situation sees fit. She prefers the head and has earned the respect of every bovine as she bites clean and intentional. A cattleman can appreciate the ability to move pregnant cattle or pairs in calm fashion. Calm, deliberate, and efficient means of moving cattle equals less stress which factors into less patchwork fencing and more weight gained = a farmer's sanity and more profit!

A cattleman is paid by pound. Pounds pay the bills. More pounds pay more bills.

In my 20+ years experience with cattle, I prefer a head dog over a one that prefers the heels. Generally, biting heels equates to cattle becoming flighty and upset and in a trot which equals stress. Moreover, cattle that are moving need no additional coaxing to move forward. Thus, if a cow submits and turns after head-to-head confrontation there should not be any further "harassment'' from the dog as the cow has submitted to the dog's wishes (showing respect); further grip of the cattle on the heels once the cow has submitted to carrying on equates to flighty cattle because the dog is ultimately taking a "cheap shot." Cattle who wish not to conform with Sioux’s wishes turn and challenge with their heads so if there's a strong dog, like her, to meet them with a strong grip to the head... it makes the drive smooth. 

Outside of working...Sioux has is a joy to be around and will hunt with the best of'm, catch frisbee with the best of'm, and will dock dive, off banks and stay in the water til she grows fins. She is the perfect house dog when given the opportunity to come in and rest (hardly a handful of times a year). She is not timid or apprehensive about any given situation and is always willing to do whatever is asked of her. She is the HBIC; though she will not start a fight she will definitely finish one. She is protective over the property, my family, and standoffish with strangers (she does not seek out affection - she has a small circle people she approves of) but is not aggressive. 

The videos below are a representation of Sioux's ability and working style day in and day out. Videos speak louder than words. 

You can't beat a good dog. 

We all like to see if dogs have enough grit and we all enjoy seeing pictures and videos of dogs getting "nasty." But in running a cow/calf operation 99% of the time you need a dog that will hold pressure and be assertive and allow the cattle to move off that pressure and if they don't...grip, control the head, and continue on like nothing ever happened.

This is a group of 1st calvers with week to two week old calves at side. This was their first time on grazing this spring and first exposure to a dog with calves at side.

Nothing flashy here...just Sioux being efficient. There were multiple opportunities to pick a fight. She knows better and knows if she is overzealous the cattle will be harder to work in the chute, will have a harder time raising a calf, and also making it harder for them to conceive within the given window if they are constantly high strung and freaked out every time they see a dog. It's called respect. I think she has theirs.