Welcome to Hardin Stock Dogs
Breeding Working dogs for the Real World
One phrase that you will hear throughout this website over and over is:
"You Can’t Push A Rope"
“The Real World.”
On our site you will find information about our dogs, including pedigrees and photographs of each dog, and sometime photographs of their parents if they are available. You will also find educational articles and web links that we think will be helpful to you.
Join us for the next few minutes and discover why Hardin Stockdog's breed working Australian Shepherds and Australian Kelpie's for “The Real World.”
The following is a poem that appears in the front of one of my favorite dog training books,
"Herding Dogs: Progressive Training," by Vergil S. Holland. The words and meaning of this short story are so powerful and true about the relationship between a stockman and his dog. It is included here for your enjoyment.
“Loyalty”
God summoned a beast from the fields and He said, “Behold people created in my image.
Therefore, adore them. You shall protect them in the wilderness, shepherd their flocks ,
watch over their children, accompany them wherever they may go ~
even into civilization. You shall be a companion, an ally, a slave.
"To do these things," God said, "I endow you with instincts uncommon to other beasts: faithfulness, devotion and understanding surpassing that of people.
Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death.
Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of people.
Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.
Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of people with any other beast
~ or even people with other people.
Speak to your people only with your mind and through your honest eyes. "
"Walk by their sides; sleep in their doorways; forage for them; ward off their enemies; carry their burdens; share their afflictions; love them and comfort them. And in return for this, people will fulfill your needs and wants ~ which shall be only food, shelter and affection. "
"So be silent, and be a friend to people. Guide them along the way to this land that I have promised them. This shall be your destiny and your immortality."
So spoke the Lord.
And the dog heard and was content.
~ Author Unknown ~ |