Introduction

Herding is a natural instinct in canine packs. In it’s most developed state we see working dogs gathering sheep for their handler, driving them though obstacles, penning, holding and shedding them and only when requested to do so. In nature we see wolves hunting as a team then allowing the alpha bitch first helping of the quarry, when captured. The alpha bitch is not necessarily the best hunter/herder, it is most often the Cinderella bitch which fulfills this role. Many dogs have these basic instincts, farm dogs have had them honed into skills which save man wages, risk, energy and wet feet and bring great pride to him although an untrained dog can cause a good deal of frustration and occasionally financial loss. Most modern working dogs are so domesticated that they demonstrate little “killer instinct”, giving the impression that their only desire is to please and assist their master. Legends about the loyalty of farm dogs abound and there is no doubt that many domestic dogs have been known to nurture other species.

Herding as a “dog sport” was initiated in the U.S.A., as testament to the specialized instincts of particular breeds not being lost in the quest for excellence in the conformation ring and to provide those owners and dogs with a penchant for stock work an opportunity to compete in tests and trials with dogs which had useful working attributes that may not necessarily be appropriate for competition in sheepdog trials .Herding has similarities to sheepdog trials but cattle, goats, ducks, turkeys and geese may also be used. Herding Tests and Trials tend to simulate everyday farming situations setting tasks which require versatility in the dog or include examples of traditional stock management, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi’s working style, for instance, may well cause a disturbance in a sheepdog trial but they are very handy on a dairy farm and can prove to be appropriate in herding trials, their working instinct is still extremely strong even in dogs bred for exhibition for several generations.

The different working tendencies in breeds are a fascinating aspect of herding. Many European breeds are driving dogs, though the most intriguing of all in my opinion is the Border Collie which has the ability to mesmerize sheep by it’s “eye” and body language. These instincts are born to the dog and not something that can be taught although a canny handler will encourage a young dog to develop eye to a useful purpose, too much eye can be time consuming and ineffectual, so too can a naturally wide cast be, a wide cast will settle flighty sheep but may not be possible in a small arena making the dog feel uncomfortable. A versatile dog is often more successful at herding. Dogs with very strong eye sometimes lure sheep into the fight zone rather than staying out side their flight zone. We train the dogs to cause the stock to do what we want, the dogs have to train the stock.

An unruly dog trains stock to scatter or squat or to fight, stock need to be treated with respect by dogs and handlers. Herding is defined as grouping / controlled movement …it is about working livestock not just chasing them! Dogs need to have basic obedience training before they embark on a herding career, handlers need to protect the stock from being harassed by dogs, making certain that the dog is under control at all times.