Tell me about your McNab Shepard?

Question

I read a posted response last year that that wasn't very nice (or favorable) towards the McNab Shepard. I want the owners to tell me about your personal dog(s)

Answer 1

My name is Ron Prentice my wife I ranch in Okla, we have raised McNabs since 1970! We have the old foundation bloodlines! We can trace our dogs history back to 1878. We have have 6 McNabs and we use them everyday on our ranch moving cattle and goats! They are intergal part of our ranch operation! They are not a designer breed or a mutt breed! They are very active and need a job! We raise maybe one litter a year to sell to area ranchers and some event people!
People should reasearch them before buying one as they are high maintenance!!! SOCKS , LUCY ,KATIE,JASPER,LIZA JANE,KYE are our McNabs, Socks two ancestors won the Red Bluff working dog trials and won $100.000 back in the 50"s. These dogs are not Border Collies! They are you partners for life, we could not function without them!
Ron Prentice

Answer 2

I saw that question and it is clear that the responder is on drugs. I knew a little about this dog breed before taking in a rescue. I know a lot more now- FACTS thru research and joining the McNab yahoo group.
Mine is a quiet, calm, loving dog that still has lots of energy and play in her. After almost 8 years of ownership I can easily say that I would certainly own another of these dogs. Designer breed- NOT! A breed of 150 years with loyalty, willingness and drive that is a thing of beauty. Their learning ability seems endless, and they are a multi-purpose dog with fast reflexes and a true reasoning brain. If you like the "no brainer" dogs they are not for you . I am certain that of the people who give up their McNabs, the majority cannot follow the thought process of a dog whose IQ is higher than their own.
I wish the person looking for answers about a McNab as an agility dog would have received a straight answer. For that I am sorry, cause she missed out on a great breed and a wonderful companion who could have excelled for her.
My McNab is a perfect traveler, a willing partner in any activity, is livestock smart and in good physical shape at close to 13 years old. I wish she had been mine as a pup instead of needing rescue at 4 1/2 years old- as no rescue would have been necessary for such a wonderful dog. If you get the chance to have a McNab, you will not be sorry. Her biggest fault- she likes to hog the pillow in bed at night!

Answer 3

Hi ,I am a McNab dog owner .I have a little 35 lb. female , and she is truly a joy to us. Miss Chillie Bean came to us as a rescue 1 1/2 yrs ago . I had never heard or seen a McNab until then , they are TRULY a one of there own kind of breed that will melt your heart (if you have one) and sell you on the breed . THEY ARE NOT ...I SAY NOT A BORDER COLLIE!!! THIER CARICTORISTICS ARE FAR FROM THAT OF A BORDER . Chillie is so calm , loyal , protective ,is so full of energy and can go go go until my Lab drops ! She is still going stong and he is out and down for the count! I will always have a McNab now that I know about and have learned so much about this breed, they take a lickin and keep on tickin when everone else is whipped! I love border collies but .......the McNab is truly the one to have . I am a dog trainer by trade and have worked with all breeds of dogs, but the McNab is truly in a class of thier own and wish the world (and hope) will become more aware of this awsome breed . Let us spread the good word about the "McNab " breed , and educate people the right way , and lets get some more imformation , up dates on them so others can see and love what we do ! thanks Miss Chillie Beans mom...Jeanette A. Vollman

Answer 4

My first experience with McNab Shepards was a black and white Border/McNab cross (further proof they are not the same breed) named Dakota who was owned by my husband. Dakota was a fun loving energetic dog who had a heart of gold. He was so smart and willing to do anything I asked. he was also great hunting dog. You could actually call him off of a pig and he would come. He was good at herding cows and following me off leash on trail rides. He was shorthaired, and got lots of comments and looks. We were both very proud of him.
When he passed away, I wanted to find out more about the breed and did some research. I found a local breeder who was not expecting a litter for a couple of months. I went out anyway to look and after meeting me, the breeder offered me a red & white female pup he was saving for himself. That is how I came to be a McNab owner.
Ruby is a beautiful happy dog who loves people and life. People stop to look at her and ask questions, "what kind of dog is that?" "Look how high she can jump" "can I pet her"? Of course Ruby enjoys the heck out of the attention. Ruby is also the smartest dog (sorry Dakota) I have met. You show it to her once, and she has it down. They are also independent thinkers and tough. They will go after a cow through brush that would leave other dogs whining.
Ruby is spayed, but we continually get offers for her pups. She is not registered by choice. She is not a designer dog like a Labradoodle. Her ancesters were around a lot longer than you or I.
I would caution anyone who is considering a McNab to do some research first to make sure this dog will fit into your lifestyle. They are truly amazing dogs that need a job, LOTS of excercise and would be smarter than you. If you meet the McNab's criteria, it will be the best dog you ever had by your side.

Answer 5

Mcnab Dog

Answer 6

I don't post much on the internet groups, but this question really got my attention and I feel strongly that the McNab breed and question deserves an answer.
I have been proudly owned by 4 McNabs in my lifetime, the most recent being two female littermates that we found in Covelo, CA. All of my dogs have been the most loyal, loving, hardworking dogs at whatever they have been asked to do. After loosing my second McNab, Sis to cancer, I wondered if we should choose another breed of dog for the family, but that thought was gone in no time at all and the search was on for another McNab. We found a family that raised them had a female that was due to whelp in the next month. After she had her litter, we drove to Covelo on our way back from Ft. Bragg and then a month later, drove back over the mountain from Los Molinos, via a USFS road to pick out our pup. There were 14 in the litter. We had one female picked out and my son had also latched on to another female! How could we choose? We didn't and brought them both home. Two beautiful little girls that my son named Max and Sam! That was 3.5 years ago and they are with us where ever we go. Unfortunately, we don't have access to cattle as much as I did with my other dogs, so they haven't gotten to do much herding, but they have the undeniable drive and determination that I have found only in the McNab breed!

Answer 7

Ive had austrailian shepherds since before they were AKC, and had met some McNabs even before that! This BREED has been around for a very long time. Alot of folks dont know what they are (and shouldnt try to pretend like they do).
My Rudy is highly intelligent, and I wouldnt say he is any more active than an aussie (in my experience).Sure, they need something to do, but they also enjoy laying at your feet.
I will never own another breed of dog!

Answer 8

My husband and I love dogs and to be honest, most of our free time revolves around them. We have four (4) in our family now. A handsome {11 yr } boxer Murphy, Maxwell,a blue eyed All American {5 yr }rescue from B.O.N.E.S in Corvello, Abby, a Kelpie mix (4 yr) rescued in San Francisco and Woody our McNab/BC (8 yr) from a local rancher as a pup. We do agility and flyball and have an interest in anything involving dog events. Woody took over my heart almost immediately - never had I experienced this kind of loyalty, brains,personality and athletic ability.Due to a childhood bone disease in one leg, I have never been able to really run. To Woody, who will only work with me, it matters not. He practically does agility on his own via voice commands and definitely knows how to do flyball 100 percent on his own, even going to the start line himself if we are practicing alone and I am loading the ball in the box. To me, he is a world champion! No, he is not perfect, he can be demanding and doesn't give his trust to others until he has known them for awhile. I think I need to stop now, because I could go on and on, except to say that in my observations of dogs,I contribute his "special" qualities to the McNab half of him and give "thanks" to the whole!

Thanks for listening.
Traci

Answer 9

My McNab? Hmmm...probably not enough room here but I'll try. My McNab is named Bell. She is 35 lbs of pure joy, love, energy and intelligence. She can herd a sheep, a croissant, a group of cats or pigeons. She learns things in one try. She has eyes that allows you to see her soul. She can catch a frisbee like there is no tomorrow. She wins the heart of every one that meets her. She loves to have her belly rubbed. She is my shadow. As another said,"She is my velcro." She takes up most of my king sized bed.She is my mate and the most amazing dog I have ever met or had.
She IS NOT a designer dog. She did not cost a ton of money(even though she is worth it). She is not registered. She is not ever going to be registered. She is not like any other dog. PERIOD.

Answer 10

We have three McNabs and use them on our small ranch. We live in dense tree and brush cover and use our dogs to herd sheep and cows. Many are the stories told around our fireplace of their feats.

The one that always sets Rocket, now 12 years old, apart is his way of knowing when there is an emergency. My mother who was 89 at the time and lived with us always sat on the porch on summer evenings and watched me feed the animals and ride my horses. This evening she made the turn to the steps instead of going to her chair.

I was in the barn and Rocket came barking, turning back to the house, running to me (a little nip to get my attention) and back toward the house. I followed and found Mom at the bottom of the steps. She was taken to the hospital where she only lived another 7 days. Her little heart gave out. But this was the second time that Rocket saved a life by doing what the hubby calls his "Lassie routine".

I have seen him turn an angry cow and lay next to a baby lamb. He does things that make us mad at him, but his ability to think in times of stress, track coyotes, point and flush game birds, and live in the house right next to us always loyal, have made him a part of our lives. He came from ranch dogs that had to do it all for his owner without being pampered and without question.

The history of these dogs is in print and has been carried on in stories told by men and women who had hard lives by the next generation of tough ranchers. Not in pedigrees and show standards written to make them look pretty. And some of those people are still alive to say that is the way it was. I believe these stories and am glad to be able to tell some stories of my own of my dogs.