Why we call them Herding Dogs II

Under Ginnys' watchful eye the hellboyz are kept in line.


Well, as straight a line as any Puli takes. Straight lines are not in the Puli lexicon.


Unlike Jinks, Ginny makes this a non-contact sport.

If you didn't know they were Pulik you'd swear she was pushing a couple of sheep down the drive.

herding pulik

With Jinks gone the walk up the drive is a little different. The Puli brothers still play endlessly but now their play is supervised and directed.


Directed by Ginny the barkaholic.


She keeps running around them and barking pushing them up the drive.

Puli basics

No, it's not a cross with a poodle... yes they can see... yes they can break glass with that bark.

There's an old Hungarian saying "If you're hungry steal your neighbors' chicken, unless your neighbor has a puli".



They are bred to herd sheep. Racka Sheep- not for the faint hearted...






They are also trained to move bulls around. Traditionally they work in teams of 3- one jumps up grabs the bull's nose and hangs on while the other two bark and nip at the hooves. This takes a certain amount of brashness in their personality. They're great jumpers.




Border Collies win herding trails, Pulik do not. It's not that Pulik don't listen they just have different ways of accomplishing goals other than "way to me" and "lie down!" A Puli will likely herd sheep by spinning like an electic blender with a short circuit and barking with a sound only equalled by fingernails on a chalkboard. What sheep wouldn't run away from that? If that's your tactic the only crucial thing is where you position yourself when you start to spin and scream. This is a maximum result for a minimum of effort.

It's never dull.

It's why we call them herding dogs.....

Rain today! There may actually be snow on the mountain which will make everyone happy around here.



Jinks is getting around much better but his sight is still impaired. Ginny is showing new improved herding skills to cope with the situation. It's a bit tricky at times to judge if this is help or just verbal harassment.


But it is non stop...


Well almost non-stop...



If you can't beat 'em...bark at a puli....

What are the dogs on trial for?

That's what a friend asked me when I told her we were going to the Meeker Sheepdog Trials. "What are the dogs on trial for?" If you haven't been The Meeker Sheepdog Trials are an annual event where sheep dog "handlers" show off their stuff. It's a 5 day stock trail with a grueling "double lift final" at the end. The field is over 300 yards and the dog must "pick up" one group of sheep- herd it through gates to a holding circle; "look back" pick up a second group of sheep- and herd those through gates to the holding circle. Then comes the part which takes a toll on your nerves "The Shed". Five sheep have orange collars. Those 5 and only those 5 must remain in the circle or the "Shedding Ring". Once you've isolated the 5 collared sheep (and they don't call 'em sheep for nothin'- they want to stick together, you then herd them into the pen and close the gate. All of this in only 20 minutes.

We normally drive up early Sunday to catch a little bit of the finals. You may think watching a border collie herd sheep into a pen doesn't have the thrill a minute hard hitting action of the NFL- you'd be wrong. It's edge of your seat stuff...



If that isn't enough there's also the poster contest and the Lions Club Pancake breakfast.