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Let’s Hear it for the Ever Faithful Barn Dog!

No barn is complete without a canine companion or two. Tell us your favorite barn dog stories.

Barn dog SkippyIf you have a horse or ride a horse, chances are you also have a dog. It seems like horses and dogs have been coupled together for centuries. Stroll through any art museum and there in the portraits of patriots and kings, heirs and huntsmen, you’ll see not only depictions of glorious steeds but also images of the owner’s noble canine companion. Dogs have also been workmates on ranches and farms, right alongside draft horses and cowponies. That’s why any horse person can point to the critter in the front seat of their pickup truck and say, “Oh, that’s my barn dog,” and everyone will understand the connotation. 

Certainly, some breeds are more amenable to fulfilling the role of barn dog. No one can deny the innate herding abilities of an Australian Shepherd, a Queensland Heeler, or a Border collie. Want some help coaxing a recalcitrant colt up the ramp and into the horse trailer? Any of these breeds would be more than happy to oblige. If rodents are threatening to overrun your feedroom, any of several terrier types are eager to ferret out the furry vermin. And when you simply need a good larp of a pink tongue to lift your spirits, the ubiquitous Labrador retriever makes a great barn dog.

Of course, some so-called “off breeds” end up in the role of barn dog, regardless of whether they’re actually suitable for the job. If you want to read about one particular un-barn dog, visit Cindy Hale's Life with Horses blog to read one shaggy dog story: Barn Dogs Can be Oodles of Fun.

Want to share your own doggie tale? We’d like to hear about your barn dog. Maybe you had a perfect pooch who traveled with you to shows or trail rides, and listened intently as you recounted the day’s adventure all the way home. Perhaps you once owned a benevolent bowser who was more of a tackroom ornament than a working canine. Or maybe your current barn dog deserves some honorable mention, simply because your horsey life wouldn’t be complete without your dog. Just click on Submit a Comment below, and howl about your barn dog. Some of your tales may appear in a future issue of Horse Illustrated.

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February 2009


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Let’s Hear it for the Ever Faithful Barn Dog!
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Reader Comments
I love the dogs! These two dogs were playing with a ball and I threw it for them and they both tore after it. One of them got it, and brought it back to me; I threw it again. I couldn't stop because they were so funny, even though I wanted to get back to grooming a horse.
Casey, Brookfield, CT
Posted: 3/15/2010 2:23:52 PM
I personally own a dog but shes not a farm pup. At the farm i board my horse the owner has two australian shepards and a worker always brings his two labs. On warm or cold days all four dogs could be found washing off mud in the water trough causing i and other volunteers to clean it again. When we would be cleaning it with the hose or filling it the labs would play with the hose and if we pointed it at them they either tried to chase the water or eat it. Another thing is at this place there is 1 sheep and a few goats and theyy would often chew through there pen so when we would go to round them up we would take the labs and sometimes if there master allows the australians and we would yell 'get 'em' then they would be off chasing the goats a few times the dogs would chase them right into the fences that we tie the horses up at and break the fence.the sheep is the one who usually broke the fence. the horses are so well trained they wouldnt budge, luckily no breakagee effected the horses or hit them. So in conclusioin the dogs there know how to keep the day fun and interested weather or not were riding horses. at times they would follow us on trail rides too. the dogs are the best barn dogs i have met!
Terri, Highland, MI
Posted: 3/12/2010 2:32:28 PM
My dachshund is a mouser. But he is also a very avid digger which can sometimes drive you a bit insane. Some of the workers at my barn get a real crack up watching him dig, they say he is making caverns. My mothers dog loves to try and give the horses kisses, right on the nose too, the horses get so confused they don't even know what to do about it. There are so many dogs at the farm I board at you never see a horse freak out at a dog or vice versa. True harmony.
Amy, Lexington, KY
Posted: 3/1/2010 6:20:20 PM
Our faithful barn dog is a year-old yellow Lab. He is adoroble, but a bundle of mischief. He will eat anything, including flowers, gravel, anything expensive and important, and hay. Sometimes we will walk by the pasture and catch him grazing with the horses!
Cassie, Bellevue, NE
Posted: 2/27/2010 10:51:11 AM
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