Hanging Tree Cowdog Names, Cowboy Working Dog Names

The Hanging Tree Cowdog -- also written Hangin' Tree Cowdog -- is a modern American working dog bred for one job above all others: handling cattle. It was developed in the 1980s by Oklahoma stockman Gary Ericsson and his son Choc, and named after the brand of their ranch. Unlike the old landrace breeds that emerged by chance, the Hanging Tree was engineered on purpose, a careful recipe of proven working bloodlines assembled to make what Ericsson called the ultimate cowboy's dog.

That recipe is roughly half cattle-bred Border Collie, about a quarter Australian Kelpie, a quarter Australian Shepherd from the foundation dog Hangin' Tree Black Bear, and an eighth or so Catahoula Leopard Dog. Each line earns its keep. The Border Collie lends the breed its extreme intelligence, trainability and gathering instinct; the Kelpie adds heat tolerance, agility and tireless endurance under a hot sun; and the Catahoula contributes a slick, low-maintenance coat and the grit to trail, find and hold rank cattle that will not be moved. The result is a medium, athletic, short-coated dog that can work close or cast out wide, equally at home gathering a pasture or pushing stock up a loading chute.

Bold, biddable, intensely driven and deeply bonded to its handler, the Hanging Tree Cowdog is a true partner rather than a pet that happens to work. Names suit ranch and cowboy culture, its relentless working drive, or that often-black slick coat. Cowboy roots suit Cash, Colt, Buck, Rowdy, Wrangler, Cowboy, Hank, Tex, Brand and Maverick; its working fire wears Scout, Ranger, Chase, Hunter, Bolt, Dash and Ace; and its slick dark coat suits Onyx, Shadow, Midnight, Domino, Blue, Bandit and Bear.

Explore our full collection of Hanging Tree Cowdog and cowboy working-dog names below. Filter by gender, save your favourites, and find a name as tough, smart, and tireless as the ultimate cow dog of the American range.