Information about AKC herding trials, titles and terms.

What is AKC Herding?

Herding is the most challenging and rewarding of all the performance events, allowing you and your dog hours of useful work or just plain fun together.

The Border Collie is a "gathering" style herding dog, meaning he has the desire to group and round up stock, and hold them to the handler or in one place. He works by using "eye", an intense stare, to control and move the stock. The Border collies unique style involves a stealthy crouch as he "stalks" the stock, head lowered to the ground to move the stock.

Getting Started:

Equipment you will need:

You will need a buckle collar (not one with the plastic, breakaway snap) and a strong lead (preferably a leather lead, nylon can burn your hands). Do not bring a retractable lead.Typically, the training facility will have a herding cane or "boogie bag" you can borrowwhile getting started.

A good down stay on your dog will be very helpful, and bring plenty of water.

Herding Terms:

"Lie Down" - Stop command to drop the dog in a down position.

"Stay" - don't move until a new command is given.

"There" - stop there and turn to the sheep - a new command is about to be given.

"Walkup" - move in a straight line towards the sheep.

"That'll Do" or "That Will Do"- calls the dogg off the sheep.

"Come Bye" - sends the dog clockwise around the stock

."Away to Me" - Sends the dog counterclockwise around the sheep.

"Steady" or "Take Time" - tells the dog to slow down

"Get Out" or "Get Out of That" - tells the dog to move off the stock.

"Outrun" - When the dog initially leaves the handler to gather the stock. Should be performed in a semicircular pear-shaped path to the opposite side of the stock in relation to the handler.

"Lift" - Initial moment of contact as the dog begins to bring the stock to the handler."Fetch" - The dog brings the stock to the handler at a controlled, moderate pace.

"Flanking" or "Square Flanking" - Refers to movement of the dog as he swings out around the stock at 90 degree angles. Used to change direction of the stock without sending them off their current position.

"Drive" or "Driving" - The dog is moving the stock away from the handler.

"Pen" or "Penning" - The dog moves the stock into a pen or holding area.

"Shedding" - The dog separates one head of stock from the rest.

"Gripping" - The dogs bites at or nips the live stock. Sometimes required for stubborn livestock. Excessive gripping will get the dog excused from competition.

"Balance" - Refers to the movement of the sheep and the dog's reaction to this movement.

The Balance point for the dog, is the position that best prevents the sheep from escaping from the handler. As the handler shifts his position in relation to the sheep, the dog should make an opposite movement in relation to the stock to keep the stock to the handler.

"Pressure" - on the dog is created by the movement of the sheep, handler or handler'scommands. For the gathering dog, pressure is relieved when the stock are stopped or brought to the handler

AKC Titles

HIC- Herding Instinct Certificate - this is a preliminary test given to assess the dog's interest in and basic ability to work the stock. Ultimately, the dog's instinct and natural ability will play a large role in the dog's ability to train and work livestock. HIC testing is performed at a variety of AKC events and training centers.

Herding Tests

HT: Herding Tested. After some preliminary training, your dog may be able to compete at a trail in one of the pretrial tests. Herding Tested means the dog can move livestock from one end of the arena to the other in a controlled manner past a cone set at each end. The dog must be able to be called off of the stock once the judge gives the OK. (pass/fail 2 passes from different judges required)

PT: Pre-Trial Tested. The dog enters the ring on lead, and after the judge gives the OK, the dog is sent around to pick up the stock. The dog must then move the stock past two panels on the far end of the arena. There must be a stop, where the dog holds the sheep still, and a change of direction. Following the change of direction, the dog moves the stock back through the gates and back around to the pen. There must be a second stop as the dog waits for the pen to be opened and until a command is given to pen the stock. Once the gait is closed the handler may leash the dog. (pass/fail 2 passes from different judges required)

Herding Trials

HS(course/livestock) Herding Started: The dog enters the arena off lead and leaves the arena off lead. Dogs perform an outrun, lift and fetch before moving the livestock through a series of obstacles (Gaits, Chutes, Panel). The Handler may move to any position once the stock have moved past post A. This is a scored event; three qualifying scores under three different judges on the same type of livestock will earn the herding started title. Example

Title: Herding Started A Course on Sheep: HSAs or Herding Started B Course Cattle: HSBc

HI(course/livestock) Herding Intermediate: Similar to the Herding Started trial, but the Handler now has a limited range of movement on the course. This is a scored event; three qualifying scores under three different judges on the same type of livestock will earn the herding intermediate title. Example Title: Herding Intermediate A Course on Sheep: HIAs or

Herding Intermediate B Course Cattle: HIBc

HX (course/livestock) Herding Excellent: Similar to the Herding Intermediate trial; but the Handler has an even greater limited range of movement on the course. This is a scored event; three qualifying scores in the Advanced Classes under three different judges on the same type of livestock will earn the herding excellent title.

Herding Champion: This title is earned once a dog has acquired the HX title and has earned 15 championship points in Advanced Classes, with at least 2 first places in Advanced Classes carrying championship points. (see AKC rules and regulations for the championship point schedule.)

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