Hobbits do Condado certamente lidavam com anões regularmente; o capítulo Sombra do Passado observa:
The ancient East-West Road ran through the Shire to its end at the Grey Havens, and dwarves had always used it on their way to their mines in the Blue Mountains. They were the hobbits' chief source of news from distant parts – if they wanted any: as a rule dwarves said little and hobbits asked no more.
É também o caso de eles terem relações econômicas com esses mesmos Anões, como aprendemos em The Quest of Erebor :
You do not know much about the Shire-folk, Glóin. I suppose you think them simple, because they are generous and do not haggle; and think them timid because you never sell them any weapons.
Então, se os Anões nunca lhes venderem armas, o que eles vendem? Uma nota em Os povos da Terra-média responde isso:
You don't know much about those folk, Thorin. If you think them all that simple because they pay you whatever you ask for your bits of iron and don't bargain hard like some Men, you're mistaken.
Similar também é referenciado no longo ensaio De Anões e Homens :
Thus there grew up in those regions the economy, later characteristic of the dealings of Dwarves and Men (including Hobbits): Men became the chief providers of food, as herdsmen, shepherds, and land-tillers, which the Dwarves exchanged for work as builders, roadmakers, miners, and the makers of things of craft, from useful tools to weapons and arms and many other things of great cost and skill.
Isso, obviamente, pinta um quadro econômico que, de outra forma, é mal tocado. Mas ainda assim está obviamente lá: Anões cruzando o Condado em suas viagens e trocando trabalho e ferramentas por comida regularmente.