GFB News Magazine
Rooster, cattle herder extraordinaire, named GFB Farm Dog
by Jennifer Whittaker
GFB News Editor
Posted on November 29, 2025 11:30 PM
Rooster, the 2025 GFB Farm Dog working beef cattle on his Putnam County farm. / Photo by Logan Thomas
Rooster gets up before the crack of dawn. He doesn’t crow, but the four-legged farm hand has been known to bark if his human, Shawn Raff, isn’t moving fast enough.
In November, Rooster turned eight. You wouldn’t guess it looking at him. The red merle Australian Shepherd moves spry as a puppy, but more intentionally, which comes from training and years of herding cattle with Shawn.
Shawn and his wife, Nikkole, own a beef farm in Putnam County where Rooster helps Shawn work about 150 head of Brahman, Simmental and crossbred cattle. Rooster also accompanies Shawn to his job at Sunrise Dairy, near Eatonton, where the inseparable pair manage a large herd of milking cows and replacement heifers owned by Phil Harvey.
“Rooster is used to thinking on his own. This dog wakes me up at 4 a.m. every morning and is with me until about nine p.m. at night. I don’t even set an alarm,” Shawn said. “He is a workhorse. It’s not unusual for him to move 700-800 head of cattle in an hour and a half when we’re shifting the dairy cows on pastures. He replaces several men.”
Shawn says Rooster is used for just about any job you can think of involving the livestock on both farms.
“He sorts cattle, drives and fetches cows, moves cows up the alleyway into the chute, moves cattle during grazing rotations, and works alongside my horse to bring cattle into catch pens for vaccinations or other reasons,” Shawn said.
Herding is rewarding
In recognition of his stellar work ethic and charming personality, Rooster received the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year Award during the Willie B. Withers Sunbelt Expo Luncheon on Oct. 14.
Shawn Raff and Rooster at the Sunbelt Expo Willie B. Withers Luncheon. /Photo by Logan Thomas.
Before being called onstage with state dignitaries, Rooster discreetly enjoyed two of the delicious grilled pork chops served at the lunch, reliable sources said. Even Gov. Brian Kemp was impressed with Rooster and recorded the award presentation with his phone as GFB President Tom McCall introduced Rooster.
“This award is not only about recognizing a dog’s ability to help around the farm. It’s also about honoring a loyal friend who is with its farmer and farm family daily and is a symbol of unwavering dedication on the family farm. The bond between a farmer and their dog is deep, built on trust and countless hours of shared labor around the farm,” said McCall. “Rooster, this year’s recipient of this prestigious award embodies the essence of what it means to be a farm dog—devotion beyond measure, intelligence that aids in daily tasks, and a heart that lives for his next assignment.”
As the winner of the second annual contest, Rooster and the Raffs received a $500 gift card. Rooster, who stands 21 inches tall and weighs about 45 pounds, was chosen from nearly 100 canine entries by a panel of judges with knowledge of farm dogs.
Rooster working beef cattle on the Raff's farm. / Photo by Logan Thomas
On the farm
“Rooster is our family dog, but he has picked Shawn as his person. They are two peas in a pod, and Rooster follows Shawn everywhere. Rooster is Shawn’s right-hand man,” Nikkole said. “Shawn doesn’t have to watch to see if Rooster is there, he’s always within two feet of Shawn no matter where he’s at.”
Shawn Raff and Rooster check on the milking herd at Sunrise Dairy where the inseparable pair manage a large herd of dairy cows and replacement heifers owned by Phil Harvey. / Photo by Logan Thomas
When Rooster, named for the John Wayne film Rooster Cogburn, isn’t working or competing, he loves to go for rides in the truck to check cows or to get a pup cup at the local coffee shop with the Raffs’ daughter, Dalaney. Rooster loves to run with the Raffs’ son, Kaleb, who is serving in the U.S. Army. Rooster also loves to cuddle and watch television to unwind after a long day of work.
As a hobby, Rooster and Shawn compete in herd trials and belong to the Rocky Branch Working Australian Shepherd Club in Forsyth, Ga. Shawn is the club’s president.
Rooster has received training from Jessica Saura with Pawsitive K9 Connections in Metter, Ga., and from Devona Pierce for herd trialing. Rooster came from Pincie Creek Australian Shepherds owned by Roger Stevens.
“Rooster would not be the herding dog he is today if it wasn’t for Devona’s help, and Roger Stevens was instrumental as well,” Shawn said. “Billie Richardson and Kellie Hunter were a very big help in developing Rooster and my herding trial skills, too.”
Georgia Farm Bureau is known for its love of dogs as Lucky, also an Australian Shepherd, has served as the GFB mascot since 2021. Visit https://gfb.ag/FarmDogContest to learn more. Look for details to enter the 2026 contest next spring.