- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2019
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I was a shepherd of Rubia Galega till I was 15.How do you know?
Yes. When I had to avoid a cow to eat the neighbor's corn was the worse. But a good (and young) dog and some curses helped a lot. I am glad that you know about cows too.My Grandfather had cows all his life. I took them out to graze one time and they immediately went into someone’s cornfield and started eating the ripening crop. I ran home to tell Grandad and he came running and rounded them up with shouts and curses and a long stick. I never took them out again. My Grandad loved to dance and so do I. He’s gone now. So are the cows. My village is empty of cows and people except for the few old people left. I noticed the same thing in Spain. It’s sad. So I’m glad to see that someone ....you ... knows about cows!
How interesting! Thank you. I encountered them everyday and used to talked to them. They were very curious about me and often came by to see what I was doing. I didn't eat meats during the Camino as I felt like they were my friends. Instead I ate lots of sea foods as I didn't feel as much related to sea creatures. But the friendship didn't last. not long after I returned home and until recently, I did eat steaks again. However, after the corona outbreak, knowing that people work in very dangerous conditions to produce meat products, I stopped eating all meat products.When doing a Camino in Galicia is usual seeing herds of cows driven by a shepherd and a dog. Here some curiosities about them.
- They always walk in order of age. The first position is for the oldest that receives the orders from the shepherd. She understands in Galician: right, left, up, down, stop, go, slower, faster. She knows all possible destinations on a particular route.
- A cow recognises another adult daughter in the herd but doesn't show any particular care about her.
- A Rubia Galega cow is never dangerous for an adult pilgrim with a pole/stick but some few of them could be for little children. In case of problem shout "go", she'll understand "ho" (stop).
- When driving a herd the most complicated situation, appart from cars, is if another herd is coming in the opposite direction because the cows could start a fight.
- A cow shows that is in heat mounting another cow. Then the owner will call the vet for artifitial insemination.
- They have names usually related to their appearance like Gallarda, Marela, Moura, Roxa, Toura, etc. Of course, the dog identifies the cow by its name and in case the cow doesn't obey an order it will act.
This is the most fascinating post that I've read on the forum in COVID times. I'm serious. Thank you for sharing, Pelegrín!
This is very interesting about cows lining up in order of age and that the dog identifies cows by name! Did you use Pyrenean Mountain dogs (Patou) to protect the cows? Did you ever use Pyrenean Shepherds to herd the cows?- They always walk in order of age. The first position is for the oldest that receives the orders from the shepherd. She understands in Galician: right, left, up, down, stop, go, slower, faster. She knows all possible destinations on a particular route.
- A cow recognises another adult daughter in the herd but doesn't show any particular care about her.
- They have names usually related to their appearance like Gallarda, Marela, Moura, Roxa, Toura, etc. Of course, the dog identifies the cow by its name and in case the cow doesn't obey an order it will act.
The shepherd dogs in rural Galicia where almost all "Can de Palleiro" breed.at that time.This is very interesting about cows lining up in order of age and that the dog identifies cows by name! Did you use Pyrenean Mountain dogs (Patou) to protect the cows? Did you ever use Pyrenean Shepherds to herd the cows?
Thank you! I had not heard of that breed. This article says it is ancient and rare. https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/can-de-palleiro/ The photo at the top of that page shows eyes that are similar to a Pyr or Anatolian Shepherd with the black eyeliner. Very beautiful! Interesting to me that the breed is described as "a strong and independent breed, though not inherently stubborn or strong-willed."The shepherd dogs in rural Galicia where almost all "Can de Palleiro" breed.at that time.
I especially remember one mixed called "Manchego" that I think had a bit of hunting dog. He was extraordinary clever and could understand long phrases.
Brings back so many things.This is very interesting about cows lining up in order of age and that the dog identifies cows by name! Did you use Pyrenean Mountain dogs (Patou) to protect the cows? Did you ever use Pyrenean Shepherds to herd the cows?
The others are Frisian (milky)
These look like Holsteins, or Holstein-Friesian crossbreeds. True pure-bred Friesians tend to be found in northwestern Europe (the Netherlands, northern France, Britain and Ireland). But they're very close cousins.
The temperament of cows is closely related to their breeds. The ones I've encountered in Galicia and Asturias tend to be very placid, laid-back and easy-to-get-along-with animals. Other breeds can be more like the bovine equivalent of Rottweiler dogs. The large, stocky Charolais cow found in much of France used to have an appalling reputation for aggressiveness; over the last few decades, selective breeding has reduced this tendency, though I still wouldn't turn my back on one. Much the same is true of Limousins. Shorthorns and Herefords, despite their truculent appearance, are gentle creatures on the whole. And Friesians can be, if anything, too docile for their own good. A cow needs to be able to stand up for herself against getting pushed around by one of her sisters, to obtain her fair share of grazing space and water. Some Friesians would almost benefit from a short course in assertiveness training.
There was a long running thread with a man and one or two donkeys, two dogs and a cat who rode on the donkey. One of his dogs was a mastiff (Cantabrian??). These dogs were specifically bred to bond with a herd of cows and protect them from Wolves.This is very interesting about cows lining up in order of age and that the dog identifies cows by name! Did you use Pyrenean Mountain dogs (Patou) to protect the cows? Did you ever use Pyrenean Shepherds to herd the cows?
Friesians are very common where I live in the west of Ireland and are used solely for milk, not meat. The cheese and yogurt is divine! These lovely ladies greet me on my daily walks and love how they wear their hearts on their foreheadsOk, the blonde ones are Rubia Galega. Some of them have cut horns. The others are Frisian (milky). I don't know very much about them.
Nice photo!Friesians are very common where I live in the west of Ireland and are used solely for milk, not meat. The cheese and yogurt is divine! These lovely ladies greet me on my daily walks and love how they wear their hearts on their foreheads
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What a wonderful tale!I was a shepherd of Rubia Galega till I was 15.
50 years ago all were "corredoiras" narrow dirt tracks for carts and the situation of herds in opposite directions were quite common.
So, imagine the two shepherds in the middle traying to avoid the fight and the possibility of a cow becoming blind of an eye.
I drove the cows in summer afternoons to a hilly area where I sat on a rock called Pena Ferreira. From there I could see west the rias of Ferrol and Coruña 40 kms far and east part of the area of Camino del Norte.
Then after a beautiful sunset gather the cows again with the help of the dog and back home.
Sometimes there were also other boys and girls with their herds.
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