I'm glad you're getting the rain you need. That was some powerful wind. Sorry it caused damage.
SageHill Ranch Journal
- Thread starter SageHill
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Baymule
Herd Master
Storms bring the rain. In hurricane country, there's a saying: nothing busts a drought like a hurricane. I have found that to be true. 
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- #1,573
SageHill
Herd Master
More rain and huge winds last night. Thank goodness the wind didn't take out anything else.
6/10 inch-ish #rain2026 this time.
Really should get a another rain gauge for the barn area. Tired of playing the Amz#n game, so I'll just rough it
Just for grins and giggles - Ree, Obi Wan, Zo and Sage.
6/10 inch-ish #rain2026 this time.
Really should get a another rain gauge for the barn area. Tired of playing the Amz#n game, so I'll just rough it
Just for grins and giggles - Ree, Obi Wan, Zo and Sage.
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- #1,576
SageHill
Herd Master
Yup that's Obi. All four of them are Belgian Laekenois. His coat is a bit longer than Ree and Zo's, though it's not wirey, not soft either - just harsh. I think of wirey being like the Fox Terriers - their coats aren't like that. I'd say poor guy because he has had hematomas in sadly both ears for no reason other than perhaps so sort of injury - i.e. doing a full body shake next to cabinets?? Who knows - but they don't bother him so truly just cosmetic. Sad though, because he had an amazing earset. When he was really interested in something his ears touched from base to tip, even more so than in this pic.
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- #1,578
SageHill
Herd Master
Not many around about 200 or so in the US. With the exception of Sage, all of ours are from Belgium. Sage is our home-bred.
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- #1,580
SageHill
Herd Master
Nope.
Here's the deal on the high prey drive Belgians that you see out there. They are from breeders who do not herd, and then label the worst mannered puppies in their litters as ..... yup you guessed it ..... herding prospects. I've had and bred Belgians (Tervuren and Laekenois) since 1982. Not one of the Tervs from my line and litters I've bred have the "you start the bbq, I'll bring the meat" attitude. This is also true for my Laekenois.
Those high prey herding prospect pups then go to folks who spend copious amounts of $ in training lessons and time and go off to AKC arena trials and stack up title after title with dogs that are run under robotic control. I've had some at my place that I wouldn't let near a stuffed sheep let alone a live one. That said I've had some great ones - but those all have come from proven ranch workers. LOL - one of my soapbox topics.
Here's how I rate the Belgians in temperament in general (and I've worked with all four):
Sheepdog (long haired black) -- party animal. What's in it for me? Is it fun? Do I have to play by the rules? see something - react and have fun (not necessarily good)
Tervuren (long haired mahogany) -- Jack of all trades, team player, see something - think - react
Malinois (short haired) --- live wire -- see something - react
Laekenois (harsh haired with curls) -- smarty pants - comedian, see something - think - react - can I make a joke??
I have seen a shift in the Tervuren leaning towards see something - react - though that could be just the area I'm in is changing.
I've always looked at herding, even when I did not own stock, as the rancher/farmer does not have the time to spend training those high prey dogs. They require a dog that needs minimal training. With that in mind, that is how I chose dogs to breed to (and yes correct conformation, breed type, health etc).
