America’s history has long been linked with domestic animals. It is hard to imagine what our nation would have looked like in its early years without the hard-working horse and ox, let alone the backyard flocks of chickens. While many, many breeds have been important to our nation throughout the years, a few stand out […]
Dogs
Two Books on Making Harness
These books may pique your interest and give you some insight into the old-fashioned art of making harness.
Pros and Cons of Herding Livestock with Dogs
If you have a flock or herd that you have to manage on a regular basis, adding a canine partner may be a big help.
Draft Animals
Welcome to the world of draft animals! We are pleased to announce the release of a new book: Draft Animals: 100 Answers for Harnessing Animal Power by Michelle Lindsey. Acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to choose and purchase a draft team, and then learn to work them in the field, woodlot, or market garden. […]
Top 10 Farming Resources
Check out some of our readers’ favorite farming posts to learn about popular country living topics and find links to more information.
Peak Performance
Is your dog an athlete? It takes a little extra care to bring a dog to this level of performance. This book will walk you through the process.
5 Unconventional Draft Animals
In the United States, oxen, horses, and mules are the traditional draft animals of choice. Donkeys are also common. But all of these animals tend to be rather large. What if you have a smaller farm to work? One option is to consider a miniature horse or donkey. Another is to try something completely outside […]
A Guide to Herding by Livestock Species
The three most common types of livestock that herding dogs work with in the United States are ducks, sheep, and cattle. Other animals that are regularly herded with dogs are chickens, geese, turkeys, and goats. Some talented dogs can herd all of these species. However, many others are a little more specialized, particularly in the […]
Teaching the Rules of the Hunt
The premise is that you cannot teach a dog to herd, simply because it already knows how. Instead, your role is that of pack leader.
Top 10 Reader-Favorite Dog Breeds
Dogs can play all sorts of roles on a small homestead, from herding sheep to guarding goats to controlling vermin to hunting game for the table. You may be curious to know what dog breeds our readers have gravitated to during their research. Here’s the answer. 10. Border Collie The classic sheepdog can be a […]