Germany's National Herding Trial:
Bundesleistungshüten 1997
Here we see the herdsman using two dogs to control the more than 300 sheep as they move along the narrow path. The Beihund (the apprentice dog) is on leash, while the Haupthund (main dog) is crossing in front of the herdsman, in position to go along the column of sheep to keep them on the path. The dog will move all the way to the end of the line, turn and trot back up to cross in front of the herdsman again if necessary. If the pressure of the sheep flock is to move onto the grass in the foreground, then the dog will sense that and will turn and patrol the near side again and again to keep the sheep on the path.
This is the nature of tending work. For more on how this kind of herding work developed, see the article on herding tradition and practice.
Below you will see the scores and placements for the national HGH trial held in September in Hülzweiler:
Your questions and comments are invited. Ann Garner at Herdenhunde vom Weiher, the only German Shepherd Dogs that tend sheep in the traditional German manner -- in California.
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