Muster Dogs Netflix

[Moobli]

A great little series now on Netflix following five Kelpie pups from the same litter on their journey to become muster dogs paired with graziers from all over Australia. Each farmer needs different things from their dogs and the breeder chooses the pups based on temperament and environment for the individuals.
It’s so interesting seeing the pups characters develop and witnessing the setbacks and triumphs of each pairing.
Well worth a watch

 

[Clodagh]

I just watched the first one. Reminded me so much of my kelpies. Beautiful dogs.

 

[silv]

It's on my list to watch

 

[Clodagh]

They are not going to make old bones are they, full on mustering by 12 months old. I will watch it but I think it’s an unethical concept.

 

[Jenko109]

I have watched the first episode, but also felt uneasy with the concept of rushing these dogs, just because they can.

 

[Moobli]

They are not going to make old bones are they, full on mustering by 12 months old. I will watch it but I think it’s an unethical concept.

It’s not really full on mustering by 12 months, more hitting a few set targets by a certain age. It’s a lot to ask of most of the pups (and handlers who mostly also have full time jobs) but I wouldn’t consider it unethical.

 

[Clodagh]

It’s not really full on mustering by 12 months, more hitting a few set targets by a certain age. It’s a lot to ask of most of the pups (and handlers who mostly also have full time jobs) but I wouldn’t consider it unethical.

They have to be able to move a mob of cattle by the final?

 

[Moobli]

They have to be able to move a mob of cattle by the final?

Yes but literally only through a gate and back again.

 

[Clodagh]

Yes but literally only through a gate and back again.

Ok, you’ve obviously watched the whole series! . Would you have your dogs rounding up in the field at 12 months?

 

[Moobli]

Ok, you’ve obviously watched the whole series! . Would you have your dogs rounding up in the field at 12 months?

Yes, definitely if they’re good enough.

 

[Moobli]

And yes I binge watched it all . I’ll leave my thoughts on nature v nurture and other thoughts until you’ve watched it all

 

[Clodagh]

And yes I binge watched it all . I’ll leave my thoughts on nature v nurture and other thoughts until you’ve watched it all

It will take me forever! But I’ll let you know. After episode one my money is on Frank.

 

[Moobli]

It will take me forever! But I’ll let you know. After episode one my money is on Frank.

 

[maisie06]

Loving the series last one to watch tonight - What lovely dogs, not had much to do with Kelpies how do they compare with border collies?

 

[Moobli]

Loving the series last one to watch tonight - What lovely dogs, not had much to do with Kelpies how do they compare with border collies?

I really wanted (want?!) a kelpie but my hubby has had a couple in the past and isn't particularly keen on them as sheepdogs. They do seem to suit cattle (and maybe very large mobs of heavy sheep) better than hill sheep. They haven't really taken on in Scotland as working sheepdogs at all, which I suppose lends weight to his argument. They tend to be rough, noisy and hashy on stock as a general rule, whereas a good border collie is all stealth, eye and silent power. That's my take in any event.

 

[maisie06]

I really wanted (want?!) a kelpie but my hubby has had a couple in the past and isn't particularly keen on them as sheepdogs. They do seem to suit cattle (and maybe very large mobs of heavy sheep) better than hill sheep. They haven't really taken on in Scotland as working sheepdogs at all, which I suppose lends weight to his argument. They tend to be rough, noisy and hashy on stock as a general rule, whereas a good border collie is all stealth, eye and silent power. That's my take in any event.

I did wonder if they were more suited to cattle as they do seem "harder" than border collies almost a bit thuggy from some observations of the programme - I wonder if Lucifer would be so cocky with cattle as he is with the sheep in his situation, But I did think what brave, tough dogs they were and lovely tosee them doing their job - I love watching sheepdogs work too!

 

[Moobli]

I did wonder if they were more suited to cattle as they do seem "harder" than border collies almost a bit thuggy from some observations of the programme - I wonder if Lucifer would be so cocky with cattle as he is with the sheep in his situation, But I did think what brave, tough dogs they were and lovely tosee them doing their job - I love watching sheepdogs work too!

There is a second series featuring border collies to be on screen in 2024 so it will be really interesting to see if the majority of those dogs are working sheep or cattle. You do get border collies working cattle as well as sheep, but cattle do need a tougher, no nonsense attitude from the dogs.

I love these wee videos showing some awesome border collies working cattle.

 

[Clodagh]

Please no spoilers! It will take me ages to watch. How many episodes is it?

 

[Moobli]

Please no spoilers! It will take me ages to watch. How many episodes is it?

Only 4

 

[Blanche]

I have not watched this yet, will try and get to it soon. I look forward to the border collie series when it comes out. I have used a couple of bc on cattle, I didn’t know what I was doing, just made it up as I went along!Worked though. One I used on sheep too, brilliant in a pen and wouldn’t back down to a big angry ewe. In the field though he was too slow. On one memorable occasion my other half was bringing in ab 120 ewes to the barn and I was helping. He sent his bitch to get them and once she was bringing them down he told me to send my dog out to help. I blamed him for what happened next, he told me to do it! My dog started going round the back but being a bit slow decided to go through the middle of the sheep to catch up with Sian. Utter chaos!He wasn’t asked to help again! I have actually used a Dalmatian and jack russell to help move sheep back into their field after they escaped.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Just finished watching the ending was a bit sad but lovely

 

[maisie06]

There is a second series featuring border collies to be on screen in 2024 so it will be really interesting to see if the majority of those dogs are working sheep or cattle. You do get border collies working cattle as well as sheep, but cattle do need a tougher, no nonsense attitude from the dogs.

I love these wee videos showing some awesome border collies working cattle.

Aren't they just brilliant! Thanks for posting. I just love watching them work, the skill in training them and their natrual instinct is phenomenal

 

[maisie06]

Just finished watching the ending was a bit sad but lovely

Very sensible and selfless decision and a perfect ending and partnership now blossoming.

 

[Moobli]

Very sensible and selfless decision and a perfect ending and partnership now blossoming.

No spoilers for Clodagh please

 

[Clodagh]

I think I’ll leave this thread!

 

[Escapade]

I'm just working my way through this.
I like Frank's manner, he and Annie make a lovely pair

 

[Aru]

I love this show, it came out here last year! so pleased to see it made Netflix! Franks and Anne were hands down my favourites but I enjoyed so much of the show from the massive landscape changes to the escapades of the dogs. It showed some pretty different ways of life. I loved the seeing the pack work in particular with the lady who travels. Bittersweet ending but a sensible decision I think and the best call for the dog.
thankfully it was a true representation of the breed, so hasn't got every suburban home wanting one either!

 

[Moobli]

Totally agree with your post Aru. So many interesting aspects to the show, from the dogs and their emerging temperament and nature, to the different training techniques and handler personalities, to the differences in landscape and farming practices.

As for people wanting a Kelpie for a pet … hopefully not! I remember a UK dog training programme on years ago (Dog Borstal I think?) where a gay couple had a Kelpie as a pet in an urban environment (in a small flat from memory) which he was completely unsuitable for and was showing all kinds of unwanted and undesirable behaviours - barking/biting his owners etc. It sticks in my mind because the trainer allocated to them said something along the lines that the dog detested the owners and that he was a working machine who they were treating like he was their child . They made a small amount of progress but I also remember thinking he’d have been better rehomed to a working or more active, country home.

 

[Clodagh]

I had a kelpie as a pet. She had some heeler in there as well, although mum looked pure kelpie. She was a nightmare tbh. Very trainable but neurotic and couldn’t help but herd. I bought her back to England with me.
Just watched the last two episodes, I thought all the dogs did really well especially considering the different experiences they had. Blood will out!

 

[Clodagh]

We look like the girl and the clown from BBC 2 there