Herding livestock is one of the oldest jobs for dogs. There are many breeds of herding dogs as well as many styles of herding. For example, the Border Collie commonly when herding sheep, uses what is called "the eye" to work — a glare which asserts their dominance over the sheep, others are well known for their ability to dart in and nip the heels of cattle. Stockdogs are used on many farms and ranches and mostly to work with cattle and sheep.
Today, herding dogs are also seen competing in Herding Trials all over the world. Quite often the people participating in this sport are not involved in the livestock industry but have an interest in working with their dogs to help preserve the instincts and abilities of the herding breeds. For additional information on Herding Trials see the Herding/Stock Dog document which outlines the various trials and tests.
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Training Articles and General Information:
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Terminology:
"Fetching" or "Gathering" — British Herding dogs, such as: Border Collies; Bearded Collies; English Sheepdogs; Rough and Smooth Collies; and Shetland Sheepdogs generally work over large areas of land where the dog's main role is to "fetch" or "gather" the sheep. To fetch is the natural instinct for most herding dogs. When gathering, the dog is trying to keep the livestock together in a group.
"Boundary" or "Continental" — Continental Herding Dogs, including: German Shepherd Dogs; Bouviers des Flandres; and Belgian Sheepdogs often work on the smaller farms found in Continental Europe where the sheep graze in pastures right next to crop fields. These herding dogs are responsible for patrolling the boundaries to protect the crops from the sheep as well as to protect the sheep from predators. All Continental herding breeds have very strong protective instincts.
Cattle Dogs — There are many different breeds used all over the world to help move a herd, the most common include: Australian Cattle Dogs; Australian Shepherds; and Border Collies. These dogs drive a herd, often biting on the heels if necessary, and move the cattle until they settle. Most often, cattle dogs work the livestock from behind by "heeling". Cattle herding dogs are known to be very intelligent, courageous, trustworthy, and have a strong desire to work. They are also very protective of their family and property.
"Driving" — Dogs who drive the livestock are pushing the herd away from the handler.
(Still under development - more terms coming soon)
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Herding Breeds:
The Canadian Kennel Club and/or the American Kennel Club include the following breeds in the "Herding Group":
In addition to the above, the American Herding Breeds Association (AHBA) accepts the following Herding Breeds:
Appenzeller Sennenhund - Australian Kelpie - Beauceron - Catahoula - Catalonian Sheepdog - Dutch Shepherd - English Shepherd - Entlebucher Sennenhund - Giant Schnauzer - Icelandic Sheepdog - Lapphund - McNab - Mudi - Picardy Shepherd - Pumi - North American Shepherd (Miniature Australian Shepherd) - Rottweiler - Samoyed - Shiloh Shepherd - Standard Schnauzer - White Shepherd
As well as the following Multi-Purpose Breeds with a Herding Background:
Bernese Mountain Dog - Chinook - Doberman Pinscher - Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Kerry Blue Terrier - Poodle - Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
— Additional information on the AHBA accepted breeds can be found at: www.ahba-herding.org.
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Additional Web Resources:
Herding Dogs