Herding
Julie wanted to participate in herding events with Ness, but herding instructors are very difficult to find. After moving to the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area she began taking lessons from AKC & AHBA herding judge Dana Hasemeier and has participated in herding events in both venues.
Ness began herding when she was 9-years-old and earned her AKC HT the month before she turned 10.
Bechelle showed great promise for herding shortly after turning 1-year-old. She earned her AKC HT at the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America national specialty in Pennsylvania in April 2003, at age 17 months, her AHBA JHDs in July 2003, and her AKC PT in September 2003. Bechelle is now competing in AKC and AHBA herding trials.
The photo below is from the BSCA national where Bechelle earned her HT and was taken by Diane Lewis, the photographer there.
The pictures below were taken during a lesson on 15 April 06.
The 3 photos below show Bechelle & Julie navigating the cones in place of a Y chute.
The next 3 photos show Bechelle penning the sheep.
After the pen, the sheep must be taken across the arena through a set of panels.
Below, Bechelle tries to decide where she needs to stand so Julie can open the gate without the sheep rushing through.
The pictures below were taken on the AKC "A" course at Dogwood Farm on 13 May 2006.
LEFT: Julie & Bechelle with judge Alan Keobke the day Bechelle finished her HSAs at the Hoosier Rottweiler club trial on 10 June 07.
RIGHT: Bechelle with the ribbons and prizes from her three AKC HSAs qualifying legs.
BELOW: Bechelle shows how she can herd ducks, too! She earned her first HSAd leg at the Greater Lafayette Kennel Club trial 15 June 07.
duck herding photos by Dick Bruner
Bechelle herds cattle for the first time 8 August 07.
Claire has been herding, too!
The photos below were taken at a Larry Painter Clinic hosted by Dogwood Farm in Williamsport, Indiana in June 2008.
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In these two, Claire is reminded to get out and further away from the sheep.
Claire gets pushed out in the photo on the left and in the photo on the right she and Julie finally make that sheep sandwich!
Claire practices her directions by going around the sheep in a corner in the two photos below.
Claire works in the small pen with 3 sheep on the left. On the right it appears she is thinking hard about her next move!
Herding Links
| Herding on the web | Stock handling techniques | The "truth" about herding | Herding with your dog |
| Cardigans at work | |||
| Herding Trainers | Belgian Herding Rankings |
The American Kennel Club herding program
The American Herding Breed Association