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How can I tell if my dog has herding instinct?
Without doing an instinct test or evaluation with a knowledgeable trainer, there is no way to tell.
My dog's dam (brother, sister, cousin, uncle) has a herding title, doesn't that mean my dog will have instinct too?
If only it was that simple! Instinct is incredibly random. It can show up very strongly in pups out of show lines or it can show up weakly in pups out of two working parents. If there was any way to guarantee a certain trait be present in an entire litter, be it herding instinct, health or longevity I'm certain someone would've mentioned it by now. ;-)
He herds the cats (squirrels, leaves, children, balls, other dogs, etc.) does that mean he'll herd sheep?
Unfortunately, no, it really doesn't mean anything. Perhaps the dog is demonstrating some instinct in his movements around the cats et al, perhaps not. Since AKC herding events use livestock (not cats or children) the true test of your dog's abilities would be how he reacts with sheep, cattle or ducks.
What if my dog hurts a sheep?
Most evaluators require the owner to sign a waiver before testing the dog. Basically, the waiver states if your dog breaks it- you buy it. If a sheep is bitten or scratched, the evaluator will generally tend to the injuries, you will not have to pay the value of the sheep, but you should offer to pay for medical care. It is important to note that a dog can cause a sheep's death without coming in contact with it. A sheep chased into a fence post can easily break a leg, shoulder or neck. There is no rehabilitation for sheep with broken bones-- they are humanely destroyed.
Where can I have my dog instinct tested?
Contact people who are active in herding, they generally know who's doing what where. If you don't know any herders, contact the chairman of your breed club's herding committee. The GSDCA holds an instinct test in conjunction with their national specialty show. Check in the AKC Events calendar for trials coming up in your area, attend and speak with some of the exhibitors, judges or stock handlers. (When they're not busy, of course!)
I know a farmer who'll let me use his sheep...
Unless this farmer has a stock dog he uses daily to move his flock, this is a bad idea. Just any old flock of sheep will not do for instinct testing. Instinct testing sheep MUST be dog broke. Non dog broke sheep can be anything from panic stricken lunatics to aggressive, charging beasts. Neither will satisfactorily assess the level of instinct in your dog.
What's 'dog broke'?
Dog broke means the sheep have been worked repeatedly by trained stock dogs. This means the sheep will behave in a controlled, predictable manner depending on what method of herding the sheep owner employs. Sheep accustomed to fetching will seek out a human when the dog moves in an arc behind them and turn away from a dog on their side. Sheep accustomed to tending shouldn't turn as readily when a dog is beside them.
How is instinct testing done?
In most cases, a few sheep are put into a rounded pen about 40 to 50 feet in diameter. The pen is either round or is square with blocked off corners. The rounded shape is to insure that the sheep don't hold up in a corner making it difficult for an inexperienced dog to get them to move. Small pens are preferable (they give the humans more control of the situation). The dog is brought in on lead, either on the dead ring of a choke or a buckle collar. The evaluator will determine when the dog is to be released. Some evaluators let the dog drag his lead, which makes it a little easier to catch up the dog if he refuses to quit. The dog is encouraged to move to and among the sheep as the evaluator judges the dog's actions.
What does the evaluator look for?
This varies a little from tester to tester. Generally, the tester is looking for a non-aggressive dog, that watches the stock, controls or tries to control their movement and does not chase. The tester may want to see the dog move around the stock in both counter clockwise and clockwise directions. There is no recall or stop required, but it sure would be nice to have one when it comes time to quit! :-)
What is the abbreviation for an instinct tested dog?
It depends on the club that is sanctioning the test.
AHBA (American Herding Breed Association) has rules on how an instinct test is run, what qualifies as passing & requires the tester to be an AHBA approved herding judge. If you test your dog under AHBA rules, the title is HCT (Herding Capability Tested). You may use the title HCT attached to your dog's registered name when entering any subsequent AHBA event.
Many tests are not sanctioned. The test is strictly the opinion of the tester on that day. The club who is having the test has contracted with a tester, who may or may not be a licensed herding judge. Maybe it's just a local with herding experience. Maybe it's someone who has put some titles on their own dog. The test giving club may or may not give you a piece of paper stating that on this day, the person who's signature follows, found your dog to possess herding instinct.
Once your dog has successfully demonstrated herding instinct, you could say he's got his HIC or his HIT. They are virtually interchangeable.
AKC does not sanction any herding instinct evaluations. Letters HIC, HIT, or HCT are not to be used with the dog's registered name when entering AKC events.
To learn more about herding abbreviations see What Do All Those Letters Mean?
What are the herding commands?
See Herding Terms for the traditional commands & other phrases used by herders.
What books or videos can I get to learn more?
Reading a how-to book on training a stock dog is a lot like reading a computer manual-- very helpful if you somewhat know what you're doing & could use some pointers-- and totally confusing if you're a newbie.
Additionally the vast majority deal with training Border Collies....which may or may not help you figure out how to work with a GSD.
One book I would recommend is Herding Dogs by Vergil S. Holland (Howell Book House). There are sections with a definite BC prejudice, but if you can over look that, it's a good book.
A great way to learn is to go watch a herding trial & ASK questions. Herders are generally very willing to tell you about their sport.
Are there any magazines devoted to herding?
AKC can't seem to decide WHAT to do... first they stopped publication of their newletter, The Herdsman and combined herding news in their bimonthly publication, AKC Afield, which featured news on all AKC performance events. I recently heard that The Herdsman is coming back. I dunno. My suggestion is to ask AKC at 5580 Centerview Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.
The Events Calendar, the supplement to the AKC Gazette is a must for knowing what AKC test & trials are coming up across the U.S. Published monthly, the subscription rate is $29.93 per year, write AKC at 5580 Centerview Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.
The Ranch Dog Trainer is a bimonthly publication. The focus of the RDT is not totally BC, they feature training articles on other breeds. The subscription rate is $28 per year. The address is HC69 Box 300, Oscar, OK 73569.
AHBA has a bimonthly newsletter with a few articles and lots of test & trial results. The newsletter is free with membership to AHBA ($15). Email Linda at Sheltyherd@aol.com for more information.
Two Border Collie magazines (I have not read either) The Working Border Collie Magazine, subscription rate is $30, write to 14933 Kirkwood Road, Sidney, OH 45365. American Border Collie Magazine, published bimonthly, $30 a year. Write to 218 Stagecoach Lane, Crawford, TX 76638-2911
Are there other herding sites devoted to German Shepherd Dogs?
If you didn't find the answer to your Q here, please e-mail me.
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