Herding For Your German Shepherd Dog
 

Herding is also known as "Tending" sometimes with boundaries. The American Kennel Club AKC’s Herding Program offers both tests and trials. The herding test is offered in a non-competitive pass/fail format as an Instinct Test, Herding Test and Pre-Trial test. All are conducted within a fenced arena and includes the use of livestock such as ducks, sheep or cattle. During a test, a dog must demonstrate the ability to move and control livestock by fetching or driving and be sufficiently trained to work at the proper balance point to move the stock forward on the course.
 

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"We must make perfectly clear to ourselves the nature of the duties of the dog with the flocks and herds, and the exact services his master the owners of the herds expected of him. The first and the earliest of these duties was to protect the herd, at rest or feeding against outside interference. The second was to keep the herd together and to prevent animals from straying at will, especially on their way to the pastures, rounding up stragglers and bringing them back again to the flock. Finally, the third duty was to protect the adjacent fields under cultivation from the greed and destructive encroachments of the feeding flocks and herds. This last duty is the chief task of the shepherd dog today, for he has become both guardian and sentry of the flocks and herds." - Max von Stephanitz - Founder of the German Shepherd Breed

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Herding Trials are competitive and dogs are scored on their herding abilities according to test level, course type and livestock type. There are three test levels – started, intermediate, advanced. There are three courses to choose from A,B,C with each course type focusing on various aspects of herding work such as versatility, control and movement of stock in an extended area, or tending to the flock in an unfenced area such a road or in grazing flock management. Throughout all field trials the teamwork between handler/shepherd and dog is essential.
 

AKC Herding Information
AKC Herding Regulations and Farm Dog Certified Test Regulations
AKC Herding Test Trial and Procedure Manual

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The Farm Dog Certified Test

Open to all breeds of dogs, this test involves your dog performing a series of 12 exercises that are typical for a farm environment such as being in close proximity to livestock (who are always penned to avoid any altercations); jumping and staying on hay/straw bales; walking on unusual terrain; and jumping over logs. There is no herding involved. Instead, the goal is to assess his aptitude as a working farm dog by exhibiting self-control, confidence and trust with you or his handler.

AKC Farm Dog Certified Test Information
AKC Herding Regulations and Farm Dog Certified Test Regulations

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Barn Hunt

Not everyone will understand the importance of “rat catchers,” but if you live in the countryside, you sure do! “Rat catchers” rid farms of destructive vermin – and the hunting and teamwork skills required to do so are the foundation of the sport of Barn Hunt. Dogs and their handlers work as a team to locate and mark rats (which are always safely held in aerated tubes) hidden in a maze of straw or hay bales. Barn Hunt tests the nose, speed, agility, and surefootedness of dogs that have a history of above-ground vermin hunting. There are several types of Barn Hunt titles your dog can earn:

• Novice Barn Hunt (RATN),

• Open Barn Hunt (RATO),

• Senior Barn Hunt (RATS),

• Master Barn Hunt (RATM),

• Barn Hunt Champion (RATCh),

• Master Champion (RATChX)

AKC's Barn Hunt Information
Barn Hunt Association

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