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Stockdog Terminology by Bill Gary (the following first appeared in the Wisconsin Working Stockdog Newsletter)
The question this month is an excellent one… “I’m thinking of
buying a started dog but I’m confused by all the terms used in the ads.
I know what a good listener is, but what is loose-eyed (are they going to
fall out?), strong-eyed, square flanks, natural outrun, sticky (too many
chocolate chip cookies at the trial?), etc.
Could you provide me with a glossary of terms I might run into when
looking for a started dog?” As a relative newcomer to this culture, I applied the techniques I learned in my Cultural Anthropology minor at Macalester College. As Professor Spradley used to say, “A culture is defined by the terms its uses”, so my first step was getting a handle on when the terms were used. What first struck me was that the definitions of the terms vary depending on whether you are buying, or selling a dog; so I have established that criteria in the definitions. Started dog When Selling a dog - Knows name (when referred to as “you black and white son of a ____), sometimes comes when called, recognizes food dish, females in heat and cats. Usually in reference to a dog you wouldn’t use to push culls into a stock trailer. When Buying a Dog - This dog won Meeker. Three years in a row. Good-listener When Selling a dog - Stops shredding sheep when slapped with a hat, crook, or jacket; does not require using shotgun. Usually referred to as “Get out of that, you black and white son of a _____”. When Buying a Dog - Knows what you are going to say before you say it. Takes only the correct commands, even when you give the wrong ones. Loose-eyed When Selling a dog - Looks for sheep droppings instead of sheep. Couldn’t stay on a sheep if you pasted sirloin steak on their butts. Training voice, “Get on ‘em, you black and white son of a ____!”. When Buying a Dog - Don’t want one. Strong-eyed When Selling a dog - Dog continues to move sheep in whatever direction the dog thinks is correct. Use of hat, crook, or jacket is required to get their attention (only occasionally the shotgun). Training voice, “Listen to me, you black and white son of a ____!” When Buying a Dog - This dog would stay focused even when the hired hand backs the stock trailer over her. Square flanked When Selling a dog - Flanks resemble a sinusoidal curve. Slices flanks only when working stock. Training voice, “Get out, you black and white son of a _____!”. When Buying a Dog - This dog is on rails. Dirt flys when he turns When Selling a dog - Dog stays in same county as stock, or, dog only charges up the middle when you use white sheep in a grass pasture. When Buying a Dog - Dog ran the International 1100 yard double lift without losing a point. The year it was a silent gather. Sticky When Selling a dog - This dog couldn’t walk up if you dragged it with an F350. Training voice, “Walk up, you black and white son of a b____!” When Buying a Dog - Don’t
want one. ã Bill Gary 1998
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