The American Farm Bureau Federation has opened voting for its People’s Choice Pup, which is part of the larger Farm Dog of the Year contest that celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families and their pets across America.
The People’s Choice Pup will win bragging rights and a $1,000 cash prize from Purina. Members of the public are invited to vote online for their favorite dog.
The grand prize winner — Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year — will win a year’s worth of Purina Pro-Plan dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The winner will be recognized at a Farm Dog of the Year award ceremony at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in January 2024. Up to three regional runners-up will each win $1,000 in prize money.
People’s Choice Pup
Casper: Great Pyrenees, Georgia
Casper fought 11 coyotes to protect his flock of sheep. Last year, in November, Casper jumped a four-foot fence, fighting off coyotes for 30 minutes, finally killing eight of them. After disappearing for two days, Casper returned injured with part of his tail torn off. After receiving veterinary care and having his tail docked, Casper returned home.
Vote for Casper here.
Trip: Border Collie, Ohio
Trip goes to work daily with his owner at the Learning Tree Farm, a nonprofit educational farm that teaches kids about where their food comes from. Trip is his owner’s right-hand man, who helps with all of the farm animals and the kids.
Vote for Trip here.
Margo: Rottweiler, Indiana
“Margo is a great companion as a farm dog and emotional support pup during the long hours of planting and harvest. She has a goofy smile, loving attitude, and loves wearing her bandana uniform,” shares her family.
Vote for Margo here.
Morgan: Bernese Mountain Dog
Morgan serves her family as the perfect mix of a farm and family pup, guarding and watching over the livestock, kids, and the ranch.
“She is a great listener, incredibly smart, and puts a smile on everyone’s face,” shares the AFBF.
Vote for Morgan here.
Cinco: Border Collie, Utah
Cinco works daily on the farm helping the dairy run smoothly and making work a fun experience.
Vote for Cinco here.
Meet the 2023 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year
Meet Tough, Farm Bureau’s 2023 Farm Dog of the Year. Kansas Farm Bureau members Denny and Donna Ashcraft depend on this Border Collie to work livestock on their farm. “She lives to work, and she lives for Denny,” is how Donna describes what makes Tough tick.
»Related: Long live the Cattle dog