Antelope Valley Stockdog Club
Where the Antelope Play But the Sheep are Herded
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is herding ?
2. Is it just for Border Collies ?
3. What breeds are “herding breeds” ?
4. What type of animals do you herd ?
5. Are dogs really still used on working ranches ?
6. Can I go somewhere to see what herding is all about before getting started ?
7. Where can I go to find out more about herding ?
8. How old should my dog be before starting herding ?
9. Will my dog enjoy herding ?
10. How do I get started in herding ?
11. How can I find somewhere to take lessons ?
12. Are there organized events to participate in with my dog ?
13. What organizations sponsor herding events ?
14 How do I get involved ?
1. What is herding ?
Herding is the process of moving livestock from one location to another. Although herding can be done without the help of a herding dog, since this is a dog herding club, we usually mean herding to be the process of moving livestock with the assistance of a herding dog. The most common form of herding is sheep herding which, as the name suggests is herding sheep. Dogs are also used to herd cattle, as well as ducks and geese. Cat herding is still nearly impossible but the dogs are often willing to try.
2. Is it just for Border Collies ?
No. There are definitely more Border Collies active in herding than any other breed, but there are many other herding breeds. In fact, at the Inaugural Fall Classic Herding Trial held by the Antelope Valley Stockdog Club over half the dogs entered were NOT Border Collies. And the award for High in Trial actually went to a Bearded Collie in the Novice Class.
3. What breeds are “herding breeds” ?
The AKC recognizes the following breeds as part of the Herding Group: Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Bouvier des Flandres, Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), Swedish Valhund. Samoyeds and Rottweilers are also eligible to compete in AKC Herding events. Australian Kelpies are also acknowledged to be excellent herders.
4. What type of animals do you herd ?
Most often Sheep, but also Goats, Cattle, Ducks and Geese.
5. Are dogs really still used on working ranches ?
Yes, absolutely. If you get a chance it is well worthwhile to go see a dog working on a ranch and handling large numbers of livestock. Dogs are also used by many golf courses and public parks for migratory bird control.
6. Can I go somewhere to see what herding is all about before getting started ?
Yes ! The easiest is to find a demonstration at a local event. Herding demonstrations are often held in conjunction with Scottish, Irish or Gaelic Fairs, and at county or other fairs. Antelope Valley Stockdog Club members often organize or participate in such demonstration events. Herding competitions are also a great way to see what herding is all about and they are usually free. And if you can’t find a demonstration or competition nearby just email us and we can let you know when you might be able to come by the Lucky Ewe and see some club members practicing.
7. Where can I go to find out more about herding ?
Hopefully this website can be helpful. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, we suggest trying some of the organizations on our links page.
8. How old should my dog be before starting herding ?
There is no right or wrong age as puppies “turn on” to sheep at different ages. Many believe that 6 months is a good age to see if your dog is interested in herding by scheduling an “instinct test”. But many dogs that are not interested at 6 months might be interested at 12 months, so there is no magic age.
9. Will my dog enjoy herding ?
It is what your dog was born to do. We like to say that for your dog a day herding is like a trip to Disneyland with a stop at Baskin Robbins for ice cream on the way home.
10. How do I get started in herding ?
The first step is to schedule an instinct test to see if your dog is interested. If your dog is interested the best way is to start with a qualified and experienced instructor.
11. How can I find somewhere to take lessons ?
We can help. There are instructors listed on our links page who club members have had good experiences with. If those don’t work for you, we can make other recommendations. We are very fortunate that Southern California has a large number of very skilled and qualified instructors. For some reason though almost everything in Southern California means you will have to drive a bit.
12. Are there organized events to participate in with my dog ?
Absolutely. The most common are herding competitions sponsored by local clubs and organizations. These can be found by following the links on our links page.
13. What organizations sponsor herding events ?
The American Kennel Club (AKC), the American Herding Breed Association (AHBA), the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), and the United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA) are the most common organizations sponsoring herding events in the United States. They all sanction various competitions in Southern California.
14. How do I get involved ?
Schedule an instinct test, sign up for some lessons and get ready to be hooked !!
1. What is herding ?
2. Is it just for Border Collies ?
3. What breeds are “herding breeds” ?
4. What type of animals do you herd ?
5. Are dogs really still used on working ranches ?
6. Can I go somewhere to see what herding is all about before getting started ?
7. Where can I go to find out more about herding ?
8. How old should my dog be before starting herding ?
9. Will my dog enjoy herding ?
10. How do I get started in herding ?
11. How can I find somewhere to take lessons ?
12. Are there organized events to participate in with my dog ?
13. What organizations sponsor herding events ?
14 How do I get involved ?
1. What is herding ?
Herding is the process of moving livestock from one location to another. Although herding can be done without the help of a herding dog, since this is a dog herding club, we usually mean herding to be the process of moving livestock with the assistance of a herding dog. The most common form of herding is sheep herding which, as the name suggests is herding sheep. Dogs are also used to herd cattle, as well as ducks and geese. Cat herding is still nearly impossible but the dogs are often willing to try.
2. Is it just for Border Collies ?
No. There are definitely more Border Collies active in herding than any other breed, but there are many other herding breeds. In fact, at the Inaugural Fall Classic Herding Trial held by the Antelope Valley Stockdog Club over half the dogs entered were NOT Border Collies. And the award for High in Trial actually went to a Bearded Collie in the Novice Class.
3. What breeds are “herding breeds” ?
The AKC recognizes the following breeds as part of the Herding Group: Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Bouvier des Flandres, Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), Swedish Valhund. Samoyeds and Rottweilers are also eligible to compete in AKC Herding events. Australian Kelpies are also acknowledged to be excellent herders.
4. What type of animals do you herd ?
Most often Sheep, but also Goats, Cattle, Ducks and Geese.
5. Are dogs really still used on working ranches ?
Yes, absolutely. If you get a chance it is well worthwhile to go see a dog working on a ranch and handling large numbers of livestock. Dogs are also used by many golf courses and public parks for migratory bird control.
6. Can I go somewhere to see what herding is all about before getting started ?
Yes ! The easiest is to find a demonstration at a local event. Herding demonstrations are often held in conjunction with Scottish, Irish or Gaelic Fairs, and at county or other fairs. Antelope Valley Stockdog Club members often organize or participate in such demonstration events. Herding competitions are also a great way to see what herding is all about and they are usually free. And if you can’t find a demonstration or competition nearby just email us and we can let you know when you might be able to come by the Lucky Ewe and see some club members practicing.
7. Where can I go to find out more about herding ?
Hopefully this website can be helpful. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, we suggest trying some of the organizations on our links page.
8. How old should my dog be before starting herding ?
There is no right or wrong age as puppies “turn on” to sheep at different ages. Many believe that 6 months is a good age to see if your dog is interested in herding by scheduling an “instinct test”. But many dogs that are not interested at 6 months might be interested at 12 months, so there is no magic age.
9. Will my dog enjoy herding ?
It is what your dog was born to do. We like to say that for your dog a day herding is like a trip to Disneyland with a stop at Baskin Robbins for ice cream on the way home.
10. How do I get started in herding ?
The first step is to schedule an instinct test to see if your dog is interested. If your dog is interested the best way is to start with a qualified and experienced instructor.
11. How can I find somewhere to take lessons ?
We can help. There are instructors listed on our links page who club members have had good experiences with. If those don’t work for you, we can make other recommendations. We are very fortunate that Southern California has a large number of very skilled and qualified instructors. For some reason though almost everything in Southern California means you will have to drive a bit.
12. Are there organized events to participate in with my dog ?
Absolutely. The most common are herding competitions sponsored by local clubs and organizations. These can be found by following the links on our links page.
13. What organizations sponsor herding events ?
The American Kennel Club (AKC), the American Herding Breed Association (AHBA), the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), and the United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA) are the most common organizations sponsoring herding events in the United States. They all sanction various competitions in Southern California.
14. How do I get involved ?
Schedule an instinct test, sign up for some lessons and get ready to be hooked !!
Copyright . Antelope Valley Stockdog Club. All rights reserved.
Photos and Videos courtesy of MagRam Media, LLC. and Kathy Roberts
Photos and Videos courtesy of MagRam Media, LLC. and Kathy Roberts
