The first time Justin Hozack saw elite cattle dogs in action, he was hooked. In 2016, during an extended stay in New Zealand with his wife, he saw ranchers and their dogs doing the seemingly impossible.
“You’d see a rancher moving 250 cows with just three dogs,” says Hozack, a cow-calf producer near Marwayne, Alta. “I almost couldn’t believe it.”
Returning home, Hozack set about making dogs a bigger part of his own operation. Building his Border Collie team through purchase and breeding, the seemingly impossible soon became an everyday sight.
The Ag in Motion Cattle Dog Competition is a new feature at the show for 2023, with a strong contingent of prairie-based dog/handler tandems competing. Hozack and the other handlers will direct their dogs to move a small herd of cattle, efficiently and humanely, on a set course. Dogs will be scored on speed and accuracy. The competition is organized into five classes: Nursery, Novice, Intermediate, Open and Horseback.
“We are trying to showcase the different ways the dogs can maneuver cattle through obstacles,” says Hozack. “If cattle producers see what these dogs can do, maybe they’ll give it a try in their own operation. That’s the idea.”
Today, there’s growing interest in cattle dogs among producers. The Canadian Cattle Dog Association — of which Hozack is currently President — promotes the use of dogs in beef operations.
The trend is with them. At a time when qualified labour is hard for cattle producers to find, dogs stand out as an effective and cost-efficient (they work for free) alternative. Building on this momentum, Hozack and his fellow cattle dog handlers plan to put on a great show at Ag in Motion
“Being included in Ag in Motion is a priceless opportunity to show what we have in Canada with these amazing dogs and what they can do.”
Ag in Motion Cattle Dog Competition
BMO Livestock Central Area, South of Ontario Drive, between 3rd Street & Centre Street
Demonstration: Tuesday, July 18, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Competition: Wednesday, July 19 and Thursday, July 20, begins at 9:00 a.m.
Photo by Jessi Selte