Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

The Tin Dog

I will admit that I am not one to spend many dollars on artwork for decorating my home, but I do love all of my “old” decorations.

One of my treasured wall hangings is a “tin dog.” I am sure there are many of you that will remember the old tin dog. I bet I could name more than a few local men who will.

Many early residents of our area ran large herds, or bands, of sheep. Some families were able to manage summer grazing of their sheep themselves and others were able to hire the service of herders. Regardless of your circumstances, most herders used a tin dog.

This cheap sheep working tool was made by stringing tin cans on a piece of wire and tying it off in a circle shape. The noise this “dog” made when you shook it served to spook the sheep and assist in moving and working them, maybe during shearing or other times when being moved from pen to pen.

I suspect that a lot of carnation milk cans were used when making one of these. And we think recycling is a relatively new concept.

If you are an outdoor person, hunter, hiker, etc., you may well have run across rusty remnants of this tool, or maybe you can or will find an intact one. If you do, remember the “good ol’ days.”

Gwen welcomes your memories at 406-367-5582.

 

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