First Herding Clinic

[Lizmo]

I can just say "OMG" times a zillion? And can someone please slap me because I think I'll die waiting another 6+/- months?

Wow. I met some amazing Border Collies' today! The more I watch Borders working and interacting with their owner, the more I can't wait.

I saw a lot of different lines/"types" -if you will- of Borders working today, and am SO glad I'm going with someone like the Henry's. I love that drive and intensity. I don't like that "slow, not going to listen and won't try I just want sheep" type, which is one "type" I saw. Those same dogs also were HIGHLY trained in Obedience and didn't have a lot of drive.

I saw for the first time today 2 GSDs working. It was interesting to say the least, lol. I mean they did really good. Both were trained in Ob (like competeing) so they -in my very newbie opinion- didn't think they had as much drive and not very much eye.

Even though I didn't have a dog their, it was SUCH a learning experience!

I feel right now like that "I've had a taste of what a Border Collie is with Lizzie, and now I'm aching for more"

I'll probably be sick as ever because I stoof out in the freezing rain/mist for an hour watching, but it was WELL worth it

 

[DanL]

GSDs herd completely differently than BCs do. I've heard GSDs described more as a "moving fence" in how they herd.

The guy who's place we use for our dog club has sheep and he gives herding lessons. He's got 2 working BCs who are really amazing. He can have one of them move about 20 sheep from a large pasture into a round pen in just minutes. It's really spectacular to watch. One day I'd like to have him check out Gunnar and see what he can do, it'd be fun to try it.

 

[Lizmo]

It was really interesting, Dan. There were two different GSDs doing it. One was more slow and would blow -some- right through them, not at all what I was used to with a Border, of course. The other I guess was more "do his own thing". He bit the sheep I don't know how many times -of course getting a needed correction each time- and would blow right through them creating even more of a problem.

It was very cool to see still.

 

[adojrts]

That is awesome that you had such a great time. Hey you can take every experience and learn by it as you have at this one. And ask questions!! The only stupid question is the one that goes un asked.
And there is isn't anything better than watching an awesome dog working and getting the job done with style!! Well unless it handling that awesome dog............

 

[Renee750il]

A GSD will have a very different style from a BC. Bimmer works the cows with a "let's do this nice and easy and no one gets hurt" style. Very intense, but more physical movement than a BC. He's quite comfortable showing them his teeth and even snapping at them if they balk, and he'll head them if they try to turn.

Fila herding . . . . . well, that's just a whole 'nother thang, LMAO!

 

[RD]

GSDs as a "moving fence" is EXACTLY what I think of when I see them work. IMO they aren't the best fetch/gathering dogs, but they're great at flock tending with a larger number of sheep. I never fully understood making a GSD compete in trials with only 3 sheep! I've yet to meet a GSD that can assert a lot of control over a small number of sheep.

It's fun to watch the different breeds work. I'm partial to Border Collies but I'd love to try herding with a Shep or Bouvier one day! A lady Eve and I train with has two Beaucerons that are pretty **** good at working goats.

 

[ihartgonzo]

There really is nothing like seeing a well-bred Border Collie work... nothing!

Are you still interested in BCs? As well as Aussies?

 

[Babyblue5290]

Sounds like a really good experience! I would love to see that someday!

 

[DanL]

When my friend evaluates dogs, he does it on a long line, in case the dogs are too aggressive with the sheep- too much biting, etc. He's got a male Bouvier he said would pretty much kill what he could if he let him out there, but his female Bouvier isn't like that. When he does the evals, he lets the dog work the whole flock, not a handful of them.

Not every GSD is going to be a good herder. There are people who breed/train for it, but not any GSD is going to go out there and be able to do it. Just like work on the protection field or tracking, some have it, some don't. I hate to bring up the working vs show lines thing again, but it's not likely an American show line dog is going to have the drive needed for herding. Do you know where the GSDs were from?

 

[Lizmo]

Oh, I'm still getting a BC The Aussie question was for a friend.

I do not know where the GSDs were from. All I know is they were highly trained for Obedience.