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Cattle Dogs of the Martinell Ranch

The Martinell Ranch in southwest Montana is a unique, multi-generational cattle business. Grandparents and parents, sons, daughters and grandchildren, and even Leroy, the family's pet Beagle, pitch in when it's time to drive the cattle to summer pastures. But the success of these long and difficult drives would not be possible without the assistance of their working cattle dogs. Darla, Pokey, Jessie, Mabel as well as Leroy and friend Roper, help to drive over 1,000 head of cattle safely to summer pasture and back home again when the weather turns. During these multi-day journeys, the dogs exhibit a tenacity to get their jobs done and a knowledge which comes from generations of canine working partnerships with man.
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  • Saddling up at 4:00 AM.

    Saddling up at 4:00 AM.

  • Even cowgirls need help once in a while!

    Even cowgirls need help once in a while!

  • Silhouette: Riders at Dawn

    Silhouette: Riders at Dawn

  • Sunrise Railroad Crossing

    Sunrise Railroad Crossing

  • Leroy Bringing Up the Left

    Leroy Bringing Up the Left

  • Roper leaping out of harm's way.

    Roper leaping out of harm's way.

  • Josie, a Blue Heeler, nipps at the heel of a calf with Darla, a McNab, at the ready.

    Josie, a Blue Heeler, nipps at the heel of a calf with Darla, a McNab, at the ready.

  • Darla shows her technique at the back of the herd to keep the cattle moving forward.

    Darla shows her technique at the back of the herd to keep the cattle moving forward.

  • Pokey bringing in a stray. Heart Mountains in the background.

    Pokey bringing in a stray. Heart Mountains in the background.

  • Roper, left, and Pokey bringing in a stubborn calf.

    Roper, left, and Pokey bringing in a stubborn calf.

  • Pokey in flight.

    Pokey in flight.

  • Roper and Jace working together.

    Roper and Jace working together.

  • Darla dodging a kick.

    Darla dodging a kick.

  • When the dogs are not chasing cattle they stay close to their owners.

    When the dogs are not chasing cattle they stay close to their owners.

  • Darla back with her master after chasing a calf through a wet ditch.

    Darla back with her master after chasing a calf through a wet ditch.

  • Allen Martinell in a sea of cattle.

    Allen Martinell in a sea of cattle.

  • Roper and Jace Poulsen survey the herd.

    Roper and Jace Poulsen survey the herd.

  • Heath Martinell returns after looking for strays in the willows .

    Heath Martinell returns after looking for strays in the willows .

  • Josie in the heat and dust.

    Josie in the heat and dust.

  • Heath Martinell, left, and Frank Mason confer while their assistants await their next move.

    Heath Martinell, left, and Frank Mason confer while their assistants await their next move.

  • Heading back home at the end of the final summer drive.

    Heading back home at the end of the final summer drive.

  • Roper takes a well deserved break.

    Roper takes a well deserved break.

  • Job Well Done

    Job Well Done

  • Roper, Jace and the rest of the crew pile into the trucks for the ride back to the ranch.

    Roper, Jace and the rest of the crew pile into the trucks for the ride back to the ranch.

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    Roper leaping out of harm's way.
    Josie, a Blue Heeler, nipps at the heel of a calf with Darla, a McNab, at the ready.
    Darla shows her technique at the back of the herd to keep the cattle moving forward.