Herding

HERDING

Herding is a term used by the Kennel Club for those dogs for whom the ability to herd - sheep particularly - is part of the breed description.

It can also form part of the training for a Border collie as an alternative to agility or flyball and is a fascinating and enjoyable challenge for both dog and handler. Few other activites allow the development of teamwork in quite the same manner. The herding dog must work with the handler but remain independant enough to make its own decisions and judgements about situations as they arise.

Agility training uses the dogs thinking ability as well but is more controlled. Many Agility clubs take part in competitions and this aspect maybe not what the handler is looking for.

Herding gives the handler the opportunity to learn a new skill and it is not beyod the realms of possibility that someone will progress to owning sheep and working dog training. Someone from South Wales who contacted us a few years ago is now running a small holding in south Wales. She contact All About Sheepdogs and we suggested that Agility Trainer Mike Bacon would see how they worked with his small flock and have some Agility training at the same time. As a result we then sent her to Richard Alvis, near Bath, for some working dog training as her two Collies were obviously very good with sheep and she had an aptitude for working sheep too.

Now Richard keeps Easy Care Sheep - these ones do not have much wool and they do not need shearing and are ideal for someone starting a small flock. So this is what she did . Jenny went back to Wales with four of Richards sheep and a determination to 'get going'. She now has twenty sheep and neighbours with small fields have rallied around with grass paddocks and she is having the lifestyle she used to dream about.

Another lady took a different route as she already lived in the country and with her husband kept a number of dogs. She fell in love with a Border collie puppy and thought to keep it. Her husband told her that if this was to be then she would have to train it properly and to use it on sheep. Here we are five years later and Merril now has five Border collies. Meg, the first one has had a couple of litters herself and Merril is in demand as a contract shepherd and 'person that does lambing'. Oh, and she is Sheepdog Trialling too - and doing very well.

However, what we are talking about here, essentially is that as Border collies need to have their brains stimulated as much as their bodies - if not more - then Herding will give them brainwork and be in keeping with their natural heritage. And the main thing to remember is the 'FUN' that you will have with your dog and theywill love you even more!