Herding
AKC’s Herding program offers both tests and trials. The herding test is offered in a non-competitive pass/fail format as an Instinct Test, Herding Test, and Pre-Trial test. All are conducted within a fenced arena and includes the use of livestock such as ducks, sheep, or cattle. During a test, a dog must demonstrate the ability to move and control livestock by fetching or driving and be sufficiently trained to work at the proper balance point to move the stock forward on the course.
Herding Trials are competitive and dogs are scored on their herding abilities according to test level, course type, and livestock type. There are three test levels – started, intermediate, and advanced, and three courses to choose from: A, B, C, with each course type focusing on various aspects of herding work such as versatility, control, and movement of stock in an extended area, or tending to the flock in an unfenced area such as a road or in grazing flock management. Throughout all field trials the teamwork between handler/shepherd and dog is essential.
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Eligibility
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Eligible breeds to compete are:
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Bearded Collie
- Beauceron
- Belgian Malinois
- Belgian Sheepdog
- Belgian Tervuren
- Bergamasco
- Berger Picard
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Boerboel
- Border Collie
- Bouviers des Flandres
- Boxer
- Briard
- Canaan Dog
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Collie
- Entlebucher Mountain Dog
- Finnish Lapphund
- German Shepherd Dog
- Giant Schnauzer
- Great Swiss Mountain Dog
- Icelandic Sheepdog
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lancashire Heeler
- Miniature American Shepherd
- Mudi
- Norwegian Buhund
- Norwegian Elkhound
- Old English Sheepdog
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Puli
- Pumi
- Pyrenean Shepherd
- Rottweiler
- Samoyed
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spanish Water Dog
- Standard Schnauzer
- Swedish Vallhund
To compete, your dog must be:
- At least 9 months of age or older. (Dogs may enter Instinct Tests at 6 months of age.)
- AKC Registered (Limited or Conditional Registration is acceptable)
or Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) Registered
or Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Registered *suffix titles only
In addition:
- Spayed and neutered dogs are eligible to enter.
- Bitches in season are eligible to enter.
For all information regarding eligibility, please refer to Chapter 1 Section 3 of the AKC Herding Regulations.
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Get Started
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You can start your dog off with a non-competitive herding test that will measure his basic instinct and trainability. The initial test is called the “Instinct Test,’ and your dog doesn’t need any training before entering this class. The judge is merely looking for the dog’s ability to move and control livestock by fetching or driving.
If you decide to compete, your dog will demonstrate that he can perform useful functions inherent in the herding breeds. To compete, your dog must have training and prior exposure to move and control livestock before entering a trial.
Request a rulebook so that you are familiar with what will be required of you and your dog at these events. Go to a Herding event in person to get more familiar with them, and find an AKC club near you to take a preparation class and participate in one.
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Resources
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- How to Post Your Premium List
- Herding Regulations
- Herding Test and Trial Procedural Manual
- Master Title Application Form
- Judges Eligibility
- Performance Event Resources
- Performance Event Contact Info
- Participants with Disabilities
- Downloadable Forms
- Find a Club
- Find an Event
- Points and Awards
- Titles and Abbreviations
- Judges’ Directory
- Judges’ Resources
- Seminars