Herding

Show dogs aren't all just pretty pooches, pampered in luxury. Some of them are hard-working canines with real jobs . Jump down to fun photos!

Getting into Herding

By Cynthia Clark, WildVine Aussies

 You are sitting at home watching television and see a herding dog hard at work.  You look over at your dog lying at your feet and wonder…Can you do that???

 Herding is a modification of the dog’s “prey drive” over centuries of careful breeding practices by reputable breeders. Most of the breeder’s were livestock owners who needed help managing flocks of sheep and fowl or herds of cattle. So not all dog’s can excel at this sport. All dogs in the AKC Herding group as well as a few other breeds can excel at this sport.

 A little history lesson

 Sheep dog trials have occurred at agricultural fairs and shows for centuries. The most famous type of trials was developed in the “Borders” region between England and Scotland from which the Border Collie was developed. The sport was developed to evaluate the skills of each dog for future breeding stock.   

Considering that many of these “herders” had miles of hilly country to traverse, a well-trained dog could cover more territory than any one person. This ability inherited and trained increased the value of the dog and its future progeny.

 Over the last 50-100 years the sport of Herding or Stockmanship has grown and evolved. Many breeds have become more specialized. For example, the Border Collie has become the premier sheep management companion. Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle dogs were developed to manage cattle over large vast prairies as well as sorting chutes and pens at livestock yards. Corgis and Shetland Sheepdogs were developed to manage stock on smaller farms. Collies and other “stand up” breeds excel as “drovers” driving stock from start to finish.

 The purpose of the competitive herding trial program is to preserve and develop the herding skills inherent in the herding breeds and to demonstrate that they can perform the useful functions for which they were originally bred. Although herding trials are artificial simulations of pastoral or farm situations, they are standardized tests to measure and develop the characteristics of the herding breeds

 The Sheepdog Trials

 The exact layout of the trial field can vary significantly. Most experienced handlers agree that there are certain elements that are important to ensure that the challenge to the dog and handler is a fair and complete test. These elements include:

• The dog must leave the handler and fetch sheep that are some distance away
• The dog must take control of the sheep and bring them to the handler
• It is against the dog's instinct to drive the sheep away from the handler so an away drive is a good test and should be included
• The dog and handler should be able to combine to move the sheep into a confined space, typically a pen but in some trials they are asked to load them onto a vehicle.

Other popular test elements that are often added include:

• The dog must separate the group into two groups in a controlled way in accordance with the instructions from the judge. This may involve some sheep being marked and the dog and handler working together to separate them from the rest or some variation of that. This is known as shedding and is almost always required to be done in a ring marked out on the ground.
• Singling is another test in which the dog and handler combine to separate one sheep from the group.
• Most trials include a cross drive where the dog is required to move the sheep in a controlled way in a straight line from one side of the field to the other in front of the handler but some distance away from them.

In addition there are various elements that may be added to increase the level of difficulty of a trial.

 Getting Started

 There are several instructors in the Kansas City-metro area. A good instructor will listen to your questions and develop a plan for both you and your dog to shape the natural talent into useful work. A conversation with an instructor can quickly determine if your dog has true talent.

 For more information…contact the Sunflower Kennel Club for referrals to respected trainers in the metro area. We would love to further the addiction to this great sport.

A little about the author: Cynthia Clark, WildVine Aussies, is an experienced and accomplished trainer and handler. She has trained and trialed five Australian Shepherds to more than 100 titles in conformation, agility, obedience and stock work. And she has handled numerous other dogs and breeds to titles.
Her first "showdog," Tyler, earned more than 12 titles in AKC, ASCA, UKC and other venues. His daughter, Ellie, has over 45 titles in AKC, ASCA , UKC, NADAC and other venues. Her son, Daniel, at under 5 years of age, has more titles than his mom. Abby, her daughter, has 10 or 12 titles as well as being the official house pillow princess!
 

Freeze-frame the herding action

Oz... keeping all his ducks in a row

This aussie shows why he's a Versatility Champion (VCh). Although the Australian Shepherd isn't from Australian (it's an American breed), its inate instinct to herd makes it a superb farm and ranch hand.

 

Now that you know what it's all about, jump over to our Brags page and

see the results of training, discipline, hard work and a lot of fun.

 

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