Where it started
Herding started with the arrival of the very first settlers. The need to drove or herd livestock on farms and to market etc meant that farmers needed dogs which could fulfil this job.
The dogs that came to Australia were generally breeds that were brought with the settlers from their own countries, bred specifically for this purpose. The Australian farmers and drovers did however develop their own breeds over the next hundred years, creating a style of herding dog which they felt were better suited to our climatic conditions. With farming came agricultural and livestock shows and competitions following traditions of England and Europe fairs. These competitions introduced in the 1800s in Australia encompassed the sheep dog trials where a dog with its handler’s instruction would put three sheep through a course of obstacles in a certain amount of time. The dog and handler who did this the quickest and most direct would be the winner. Over time came the introduction of Cattle Dog trials, Yard Dog trials, and Farm Dog trials. Meanwhile in England, Europe and the United States of America these types of events were being formally recognised by their canine governing bodies.
During the 1990s interest in developing an ANKC herding program grew and rules, clubs and titles were developed. Now almost every state in Australia conducts herding trials on a range of courses and stock. Unlike the trials that had developed here in Australia, suited mainly to the Australian herding breeds the Kelpie and Border Collie, these trials offer a range of working situations which offer many of the other herding breeds the chance to demonstrate their working style and instinct.
The rules
A copy of the rules may be obtained from the canine council in each state. These rules and regulations also have the layout plans of each type of event. To view the herding rules please click here.
Types of events
Tests
Instinct Tests – These are where everyone starts to test their dog for the natural instinct to herd. This is a situation where the handler and the dog have often had limited time on stock. This is understood and the judge will be there to assist. The dog will need to be able to be called off the stock and this can be practiced at home in exciting situations.
Beyond the instinct test are two additional tests; herding test which demonstrates the dog’s ability to work stock in a small area. The pre-trial test, which is conducted in the trial size arena, shows that the dog has the control of stock and demonstrates obedience to the handlers’ commands. Once the pre-trial test title has been earned a dog may begin entering trial classes.
Trials
Trials are run over three different courses which require different skills from the dog. Often the breed of dog and the working style it demonstrates, dictates which course it will be most successful on. Within each course type there are three levels of competition. Started is the first level and the handler is able to move around the course with the dog and assisting. Intermediate and advance are the next two levels and see less handler assistance and greater technicality and independent work expected from the dog.
Getting startedAs with all dog training, there are many methods of teaching herding, a skilled trainer uses several, depending on the individual dog. For beginners, if you wish to have professional help teaching your dog individually or in a group, then contact a herding trial club or the DOGS Victoria Herding Committee for details of people in your area. Attending herding tests and trials gives an opportunity to see the sport in action and to meet the friendly, supportive people who participate in this great sport.
There is also a lot of teaching you can do with your dog without stock in preparation for the real thing. How you work your dog is a matter of personal choice some use voice, others use hands or crook movements or whistles. Even the commands you use are your choice.
The most important thing is that handler and dog enjoy herding. In some dogs, herding instinct is dormant due to lack of early exposure. To awaken this instinct is very satisfying to all concerned and a real challenge to the herding dog owner.
Who can participate in herding?
In Victoria anyone that is a member of DOGS Victoria or other state member bodies (child handlers should check with their canine council) who has a registered dog be it main, limited, associate or sporting registered and the dog is six months of age or older can participate in herding. The member does not need to have any extensive experience at herding as stated previously.
The breeds that we have seen herding include the usual like Border Collie, Australian Kelpie, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd in all varieties, then the not so usual German Shepherd Dog, Bearded Collie, Collie, Puli, Corgi, Shetland Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog and unusual Schnauzer (standard) and Samoyed.
Types of livestock that can be used
The types of livestock that are used for these events are ducks, sheep and cattle. The important aspect is that these stocks have been worked by dogs before and are used to dogs herding ability. Wise stock that have never seen dogs before will not be manageable for the novice dog or handler. If the dog gains qualifying scores of a herding title on one type of stock then that title is stock specific for example Started in A course on sheep title – HSAs