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Stockman have developed their own secret language of whistles that they use to direct their cattle dogs. One dog can do the work of six to eight men. And never call in sick on a Monday morning. They are available rain, hail and shine, and they work for a bit of kibble, a few pats and affection. Using nothing but whistles, cattle dogs will put cattle through an obstacle course and herded them to different parts of the arena. Each whistled command is personalised with a different tone for each dog. So why whistle? Because of the distance it can carry. These dogs are so well trained that even if you put a T-bone steak in front of them, they wouldn't dare touch it without being told. These dogs are strictly outdoor dogs, rewarded with lots of pats and motivated only by an innate love of rounding up animals The Farm Dog Survey, by Sydney University, found a working dog costs its owner about $8000 but does about $40,000 worth of work in its lifetime.
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