Introduction to Herding
Author: Jeanne Looker

Herding is controlled movement of stock by a dog and handler. Herding instinct refers to the desire of the dog to do something with the stock (V. Holland). There are many breeds and styles of herding dogs. Breeds such as the Border Collie are said to have a " strong eye" with their stock. Border Collies use their eye and their characteristic crouch to help them control the stock. Most other breeds that herd are considered "loose eyed and upright" dogs. Breeds such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweilers, Samoyed, Kerry Blue, Schnauzers, and Wheaton Terriers fall into this category. Dog historians believe breeds such as Bernese Mtn. Dogs, Rottweilers, Samoyed, and some of the larger terriers were probably multi-purpose farm dogs. Farmers with limited resources would have desired one dog that could work a variety of stock, guard the property, kill vermin, and perhaps haul wood or milk.

Interest in herding activities has been on the increase across the country since the inception of the AKC Herding Trial program. Unfortunately, Bernese Mountain Dogs are not eligible to participate in AKC Herding Trials. The AKC does not permit breeds not already classified as being in the "Herding Group", to participate in Trials. Currently, the only two breeds eligible to participate in AKC trials (and not in the Herding Group) are Samoyed and Rottweilers. The National Bernese Mountain Dog Club voted in 1999 to allow the American Herding Breeds Association (AHBA), Junior Herding Dog Title (JHD), to be used as part of a Versatility title. The JHD title is equivalent to the AKC, Pre-Trial (PT) herding title. The AHBA program is open to all herding breeds, multi-purpose breeds with herding backgrounds, and some mixed breeds. Many AKC herding judges are also AHBA judges, and AHBA herding trials are often held in the same location as AKC trials.

Whether at a trial or a club sponsored herding instinct test, initial exposure to stock should be a positive experience for the dog. Testers or trainers should have experience with other upright breeds. Only "dog broke" sheep, goats, or ducks should be used. Indications of a dog’s herding instinct may be: intense observation of the stock, circling, moving, or chasing the stock. A dog that does not react to the stock upon first exposure does not necessarily lack instinct. Young and insecure dogs may not show interest initially and should be retested at a later date. Dogs often get excited watching other dogs work the stock. The earlier a Berner gets exposed to stock (preferably several times before they are a year old) the more likely they are to have sustained interest as adults.

Both AKC and AHBA offer two general herding levels for dogs and handlers. The "Test" level titles are for dogs with limited experience working stock. The "Trial" levels are for more experienced dogs and handlers. AHBA offers two Test level titles, the Herding Capability Tested (HCT) title and the Junior Herding Dog (JHD) title. The HCT and the JHD titles both require two passing scores under two different testers. The first "leg" of the HCT does not require formal training. The dog must show his natural ability and desire to keep the stock grouped together and attempt to control their movement. The second leg of the HCT requires that the dog must also move the stock in a controlled fashion from one end of a pen to the other and demonstrate a stop and a recall. To earn the JHD title a dog must demonstrate it’s ability to collect and control stock, move stock in straight lines and turns, negotiate obstacles and come to a reliable stop at the repen (V. Baldwin).

Working stock develops a special partnership between handler and dog. Handlers and dogs must have mutual trust and respect to be successful. Herding can also be an excellent confidence booster. It is another activity to keep our dog’s bodies and minds stimulated.

References/Suggested Reading

AHBA Comes to Colorado, article, Vicki Baldwin 1999, The Scoop Magazine

Herding Dogs, Progressive Training, by Virgil S. Holland, 1994, Howell Book House

A Way of Life, Sheepdog Training & Trialing…, by H. Glyn Jones, 1987, Farming Press

Sheepdog Training, an All-Breed Approach, by Mari Taggart, 1991, Alpine Publications

AHBA (American Herding Breeds Assoc.), Web site: www.ahba-herding.org