Herding in Action New video pg 3!

Mike CHS

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Thank you - I never tire of watching these awesome Border Collies. They have an intensity that always amazes me no matter how much I see it.

Then you have our Aussie who isn't nearly as impressive to watch but gets it done since the sheep aren't afraid of her and her low intensity gaze.
 

Bruce

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As much fun as it it to watch a herding dog racing around, perhaps yours is more impressive. The animals in the video were looking stressed by the chase. More than likely they have been herded into that door so many times they would go there all by themselves when calmly herded in that general direction. Instead 3 ended up on the wrong side of the wall and had to be rounded up.

When they do trials, do you bring your dog(s) AND your sheep/goats/xxx or do they have to herd unknown animals based on commands by the owner? I can see where the rapid "corralling" would be helpful for sure since the animals don't know the fields, where they are supposed to go and/or don't know the dog(s) and would likely run scared.
 

Mike CHS

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Each sponsor for a trial provides the sheep so they are always unknown. Trials are more controlled and can cost you points if the sheep are pushed too hard. Not to mention if a dog pushes hard the sheep will never finish the course. They will panic and head for a gate and you wind up disqualified. :)
 

Southern by choice

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@Bruce you must not have ever had sheep. :lol:

As much fun as it it to watch a herding dog racing around, perhaps yours is more impressive. The animals in the video were looking stressed by the chase. More than likely they have been herded into that door so many times they would go there all by themselves when calmly herded in that general direction. Instead 3 ended up on the wrong side of the wall and had to be rounded up.

The dog is not "racing around" and if you watch the dog is also not chasing. The distance the dog keeps is incredible. The dog is narrowing the path and moving the sheep.
On small farms with little land and a couple of homegrown sheep that may be one thing but there is a reason herding dogs have been used for centuries.
Sheep, no matter how many times they have been to a barn, do not just come when called.
If you've ever been around 20-200 sheep you will know why these dogs are employed. Sheep are flight oriented... meaning they will go whichever way.

Most people raising sheep are not raising pets, they are raising sheep.. for food and or wool.

It would have been nice to have a good herding dog when our sheep were running down the highway. ;)

Put it this way we had a goat that was just a dummy, never warmed up to people EVER... we had him in a 1 acre lot and it took 5 people over 3 hours to finally grab him. That is one goat!
If you have a flock of sheep, lets say 20 sheep on all that land ... how long do you think it would take you to bring them up to the barn?

When we got some of our first Kiko goats they were very primitive from a large farm. Yet every evening the lady put her BC's out to bring the goats home. She did not have LGD's to protect them and so the goats had to be brought up and in, without the herders there is no way she would have ever rounded them up.
 

Southern by choice

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No matter how many times I watch the dogs 'Working', I am always amazed and awe-struck at their abilities and the dedication of their handlers/owners. :)

I am too!
More so now than ever... I think because people have forgotten that dogs were domesticated and bred for purpose and not to be dressed up and pushed around in baby strollers. Dogs that are given the opportunity to do what they were bred for (at least on some level) are happiest.

My old GSD when my children were little would stay with them at all times... they were her "flock"... if one went one way and a few were another way on the land my old girl would have them in a group before anyone knew what had happened. It was like magic. Not once did she ever chase any of our children, ever.

And we wonder why so many "pets" are on head meds for anxiety and behavioral issues. :somad
 

CntryBoy777

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I am in complete agreement with you @Southern by choice and it is very unfortunate for the animals....especially, when their natural behavior is 'Punished', because the owners want them to be something they can't 'Deliver'. It seems that there isn't very much research being done before hand to find a breed that best 'Suits' the need of the owner.
 
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