Man's best friend can often also be man's best hired hand. Livestock producers are finding that incorporating working dogs into their operation can be an effective management practice. This often time unrecognized member of the ranch team is vitally important to keeping operations running smoothly and assisting with day-to-day tasks.

Again this year, visitors to Husker Harvest Days can bring their own dog to be worked by the members of the National Cattle Dog Association. It's a great time to work with experienced handlers and continue your dog on the path to being an experienced working stock dog.

visitors to Husker Harvest Days can bring their own dog to be worked by the members of the National Cattle Dog Association.

Stock dogs are used to move herds of livestock such as sheep or cattle, round up strays and assist in sorting out specific animals from the herd. Stock dogs are bred with the natural instinct to gather herds and when trained, can assist their owner to efficiently handle both large and small animals.

"You can't build in the instinct, it's a natural instinct, a desire to work. It fascinates me how cattle dogs handle the stock, the way they think and the way they work is pretty cool," says Tim Gifford, Gifford Border Collies.

Gifford, and members of the National Cattledog Association, will present demonstrations four times daily at Husker Harvest Days – 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Demonstrations will vary from young inexperienced dogs to seasoned older dogs to give visitors an idea of the training involved. There will also be time to work in dogs that visitors to Husker Harvest Days bring to the demonstration.

See stock dog demonstrations daily

Gifford of Harrisburg, Nebraska has been working with stock dogs for over 10 years. He has been on the ranch all of his life. At present he runs a cow/calf herd and backgrounds calves. Tim uses the dogs extensively in the operation. He also travels the country attending competitions as well putting on working cattle dog clinics, demonstrations and lessons.

"I use my dogs to gather cattle, move cattle from pasture to pasture or sort cattle in an alleyway. I work alone a lot with my dogs," comments Gifford.

Gifford and members of the NCA will touch on steps to train a dog, how to properly raise a puppy to make a successful ranch dog and how useful a working dog can be to their owners during the demonstrations.

Stock dog demonstrations will be located on the north side of Flag Row, just outside the exhibit field. If you bring your own dog to be worked during the demonstrations, it is important to remember that the dog must stay in the demonstration area and is not allowed on the Husker Harvest Days exhibit field.

If interested in bringing your dog, contact Gifford at [email protected] or 308-631-0387. There will be a fee to work your dog and you must sign a waiver.