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Flint, an Australian shepherd owned by Utah Farm Bureau members Rhett and Beth Crandall is the 2020 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year.
The American Farm Bureau Federation, with support from Nestlé Purina, recognized Flint, four runners-up and a People’s Choice Pup at AFBF’s 101st Annual Convention in Austin, Texas.
“It is great to see interest in this award grow in just a few years to become a great point of connection with the public,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We celebrate the important role dogs play on farms and ranches. Their stories inspire people on and off the farm, providing a glimpse into farm life for some. Farm dogs are loyal work partners that enhance the lives of farm families.”
The contest celebrates farm dogs that work alongside farmers and ranchers to produce nutritious food for families and their pets across America. It caught the attention of more than 100,000 social media followers who voted, commented, shared or liked their favorite dog.
Flint, the grand prize winner, is 11 years old and has been part of Beth’s family since she was a teenager. At the age of 7, he became an accomplished and passionate working dog relatively late in life. Herding beef cattle and other livestock is Flint’s primary responsibility on the ranch. He’s also certified through the Canine Good Citizen program and spends time lifting the spirts of residents at senior centers with his gentle presence.
“When moving livestock on the ranch, it’s very important to have a well-trained dog that’s bred to do this type of work,” Beth said.
“The dogs are truly part of our family,” Rhett said, referring to Flint and the couple’s two other dogs. “They enrich our lives and make ranching the best job in the world.”
Purina donated prizes for the contest. This included $5,000 in prize money, a trophy plate, a year’s worth of Purina dog food and other Purina products for Flint.
“At Purina, we recognize the important role dogs play on the farm and in the hearts of families everywhere, and we congratulate the Crandalls and Flint on winning this award,” said Jack Scott, vice president of sustainability at Nestlé Purina.
Four runners-up in the contest will each receive $1,000 in prize money, a trophy plate and Purina products. The runners-up:
- Sue, owned by Alabama Farmers Federation members Phil and Kim Slay;
- Smurf, owned by Georgia Farm Bureau member Zach Floyd;
- Joker, owned by Kansas Farm Bureau member Janell Harman; and
- Josie, owned by Nebraska Farm Bureau member David Schuler.
A panel of judges with expertise in the pet care industry, veterinary medicine and communications reviewed 80 nominations to select the Farm Dog of the Year.
Dogs were judged based on their helpfulness to the farmer and his/her family, playfulness and their role in making life better on and off the farm. Farm Bureau members submitted written responses to questions, photos and video clips to nominate their dogs for Farm Dog of the Year.
People’s Choice Pup
Runner-up Sue was also named People’s Choice Pup in a social media contest with online voting as part of the overall competition. Sue won bragging rights, and a $50 gift card and Purina products.
Five other dogs rounded out the top 10 in the overall contest and were contenders for People’s Choice Pup:
- Jude, owned by Idaho Farm Bureau member Shauna Moser;
- Brady, owned by Iowa Farm Bureau member Rose Danaher;
- Brittany, owned by Tennessee Farm Bureau member Bobby Lee Hanks;
- Mesa, owned by Texas Farm Bureau member Sheridan Langford; and
- Hemi, owned by Virginia Farm Bureau members Leo and Judy Tammi.
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![Close up of Flint, an Australian Shepherd](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Flint520.jpg)
<p>Flint is the 2020 American Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year. Not only is he a cattle herder, but he's also certified through the Canine Good Citizens program and spends time visiting with residents at senior centers in Utah. </p>
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![Farm Dog Flint Working Cattle.jpg](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420FlintWorkingCattle520.jpg)
<p>The Crandalls depend on this Australian Shepherd, Flint, lower left, to move 150 head of heifers through multiple pastures.</p>
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![012420Sue520.jpg](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Sue520.jpg)
<p>People's Choice Pup Sue is the number one gate guard on the Slay Farm in Alabama. She also works special needs rodeos.</p>
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![This farm dog, Joker, is a cow dog and even manages a few goats on the Harman Farm in Kansas.](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Joker520.jpg)
<p>This farm dog, Joker, is a cow dog and even manages a few goats on the Harman Farm in Kansas. He can handle a bull that needs to be loaded on a trailer or get a new baby calf and its momma to walk out the gate to move to another pasture after tagging and weighing the new kid.</p>
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![This Cattle Collie, Smurf, works tirelessly for a pat on the head and all the well water he can drink.](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Smurf2-520.jpg)
<p>This Cattle Collie, Smurf, works tirelessly for a pat on the head and all the well water he can drink. He serves as his owner Zach’s protector, companion, employee and a constant source of entertainment on his farm in Georgia.</p>
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![The days can be long on a cow-calf operation. But this Nebraska Border Collie, Josie, helps remind the Schuler family to enjoy the finer things in life.](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Josie520.jpg)
<p>The days can be long on a cow-calf operation. But this Nebraska Border Collie, Josie, helps remind the Schuler family to enjoy the finer things in life.</p>
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![Meet German Shorthaired Pointer, Brady from Iowa.](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Brady520.jpg)
<p>Meet German Shorthaired Pointer, Brady from Iowa. He’s been known to comfort ill bottle calves on a cold morning and bark to get his owner’s attention when a wayward cow finds her way through the fence. His owner, Rose, fosters dogs and Brady has taught many rescue dogs the rules of farm life. </p>
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![Border Collie Mesa](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Mesa520.jpg)
<p>Aside from her regular duties as a farm dog in Texas, this Border Collie Mesa looks out for her friend Possum — a deaf Australian Shepherd.</p>
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![Meet Hemi, this Virginia Border Collie](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Hemi520.jpg)
<p>Meet Hemi, this Virginia Border Collie has had a long career of sheep herding. </p>
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![Meet Brittany, she doesn’t play the traditional role of a livestock herding dog.](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Brittany520.jpg)
<p>Meet Brittany, she doesn’t play the traditional role of a livestock herding dog. Her primary role is to provide a calming influence to the animals as well as her owner when things inevitably don’t always go as planned on their Tennessee farm.</p>
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![Meet Jude, he helps run cattle in rough steep country in Idaho](http://www.farmprogress.com/sites/farmprogress.com/files/012420Jude520.jpg)
<p>Meet Jude, he helps run cattle in rough steep country in Idaho that is at times, very challenging. Because of Jude, his owner is able to do the work that would normally take 2-3 people on horseback. Together they are able to move, turn, and stop livestock to as needed for their operation.</p>