by Joy Sebastian-Hall A factor that influences every facet of our daily lives is attitude. How well a thing is accomplished, how quickly it gets done, how a person feels about it, all boils down to attitude. Herding is a dog sport that can have radically different results depending on the attitude of a handler, […]

by Lori Herbel Judging a herding trial is a tremendous responsibility. Consistency and fairness are the top priorities of the day, and the ability to comfortably make sensible split second decisions under pressure is a necessity. In order to help carry out this responsibility, a judge needs a trustworthy assistant by his side that he […]

by Lori Herbel   Wouldn't it be nice if you went to a trial and knew what the judge was looking for? Many times exhibitors go to a trial and have no clue what's important to that judge, that day. Of course they all judge by the rules and regulations in the orange book, but […]

(c) 2007 Ernest Hartnagle and Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor Some historians propose Basques and their sheepdogs from the Pyrenees played an insignificant role in the history of the Australian Shepherd breed. Secondly, Basques did not to go Australia with their "little blue dogs" and then come to the U.S. with boatloads of sheep. Thirdly, the Basque […]

By Joyce Norris I have been raising and leasing ducks for herding trials for about 6 years. Most judges and exhibitors say "They are the best ducks they have ever seen." This does take some work. My ducks work well in groups of 5. If a duck gets split off by a dog it will […]

As 's breeder, owner and handler, I was thrilled to hear that he is the first dog to earn a Master Herding title! He finished his AKC Herding Championship in June of 2010 in two weekends with five 3 point major wins on both sheep and ducks. In 2011, I decided to try Advanced A […]

Changes to Herding Regulations (Nov. 2011) Recording Fees for Herding, Earthdog and Lure Coursing Events Revisions to Herding Regulations (July 2010) The AKC's Position Regarding Club Events Held on Private Property

The purpose of noncompetitive herding tests is to offer herding breed owners a standardized gauge by which a dog's basic instinct and trainability are measured. The purpose of the competitive herding trial program is to preserve and develop the herding skills inherent in the herding breeds and to demonstrate that they can perform the useful […]

Judges and Stock Dogs Allowed to Participate (7/2021) Clubs Can Hold 15 Trials per Year (5/2018) Regulation Update: New Course D Announced (2/2018) Sample Scoresheet Regulation Updates:(3) 12 Trials a yr /Elkhounds Eligible/ Junior Handers (2/2017) Regulation Update: Event Secy May Enter Herding Trial (2/2014)   Herding Regulations Herding Test and Trial Procedural Manual Master Title […]

AKC's herding program began June 13, 1989. The program was the largest and most comprehensive to enter the world of herding. With a group of individuals already interested, the program took off with great enthusiasm. AKC's program was created to be a generic program, it allows the owner/handler of the dog choose from a variety […]