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SiG MT 36 When the going gets tough on his Hilger, Mont., ranch, Guy Maberry calls his Hangin' Tree Cow Dogs to get the job done. "ese dogs are bred to work cows," says Guy. "ey are cowboy dogs." Guy has been using, breeding and training Hangin' Tree dogs for 11 years. He currently has 10 Hangin' Tree dogs. "I can gather all the momma cows by myself if need be," he said. "e dogs do all the work. ey bite each end to handle the cale. ey can fetch or drive cale." Hangin' Tree Dogs can be tough when working cale, and can be gentle, loving pets when not working. "A lot of their temperament depends on how they are raised," says Guy. "If they are loved and taken care of with kids around, they will love on everybody. But, if they haven't been around kids, they will be nervous." e Hangin' Tree Cow Dog breed was developed 35 years ago by rancher Gary Ericson in Idaho. His breeding formula was 3/8 Border Collie, 1/8 Catahoula for their noses, 1/4 Kelpie for their toughness and 1/4 Austra- lian Shepherd, Hanging Tree Bear, for his agility. Guy says he met Gary at a trial clinic in Roy, Mont., and was impressed with the Hangin' Tree dogs. He has been a fan ever since. "ey love to work," he says. "ey may love on my wife, Carol, out on the ranch, but once we walk through a gate, they are my dogs. ey listen only to me." Hangin' Tree Cow Dog Hangin' Tree Cow Dog, Pink, moves goats forward by nipping at their heels. Goats don't kick as hard as cattle and therefore work better for training purposes, says Guy. Hangin' Tree Cow Dog, Rio, moves toward goats challenging them. The dogs learn to handle the animals they are herding by biting each end of the animal, explains Guy. Photo: Sara Young Photo: Sara Young