How Can Herding Dogs Adapt To Different Livestock Types?

It's no secret that a dog is man's best friend. Humans and dogs have been working together for centuries, particularly in roles such as hunting, herding, and protection. Over the years, the average human-dog relationship has evolved into more of a domesticated friendship, but despite this, herding dogs are still very much a part of the agricultural realm. Let's explore the nuances that enable herding dogs to remain adaptable and sharp within the herding community.

Understanding Herding Dog Behaviors

Herding dogs have biological instincts shaped by their natural role as predators. Centuries ago, these instincts were meant to stalk and kill their prey as a form of survival, but have since been reformed into what we now know as herding methods for managing livestock on a farm or ranch.

The most common herding behaviors are staking and eyeing. Herding dogs will engage in an intense staredown with livestock to apply pressure and move them away from the area, in an attempt to keep them in their designated safe zone. When eyeing doesn't work, the dogs will try stalking. Stalking is a crouching, crawling approach toward the livestock to encourage them to move to another area. Over time, these techniques were developed from the instinct to harm livestock into a more humane herding practice that keeps all animals safe and secure.

Herding Breeds: Is Border Collie the Best Choice?

If you’ve ever tuned into the National Dog Show after a Thanksgiving Day meal, then you already know there is a sizable number of herding breeds to choose from. Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Australian Cattle Dogs, Sheepdogs, and Border Collies are among the most common herding breeds used today.

Each herding breed has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they are of great value to their handlers. For example, cattle dogs, widely known as heelers, tend to be more confrontational, making their nipping style better suited to larger livestock. In contrast, border collies have a gentler approach, making them better suited to wrangle sheep.

Border collie breeds tend to be more versatile due to their intelligence, medium build, agility, and insatiable energy. Some would say they are the perfect blend of the best traits for herding livestock. Ultimately, this is not a decision we can make for you, but a conclusion we hope to make easier.

Herding Style

There are three main styles of herding, which are driving, fetching, and tending.

Driving- herding dogs push livestock from behind
Fetching- assembling and relocating livestock
Tending- Keeping the livestock in a specified area

A herding dog may be more apt to use one style over another; each herding style has its purpose. The type of livestock and herding breed may also make an impact on which styles are most effective. For example, if your farm consists of smaller animals or livestock that have strong herd mentality, this could affect the herding styles.

Training for Versatility & Building Adaptable Skills

One of the strongest methods to consider when training a herding dog for versatility is to start their training young. Although your dog may have a natural instinct for herding, training is unavoidable. Training needs to start early on to teach basic behavior commands, social skills, and establish a powerful bond with their handlers. This bond will serve as the foundation where herd-specific training will grow from.

Adaptability will come from working with your dogs and learning how to handle each form of livestock they encounter. Each livestock species has its own nuances, and working with herding dogs when they're young will make the process more comfortable for all involved. Coupled with early exposure to tools like whistles, fences, drills, and commands, training will make it easier for working dogs to make better decisions when faced with problems while working.

How Herding Dogs Approach Livestock Management

During livestock management training, both herding dogs and the livestock will learn behavior cues from each other. Herding dogs can pressure some species to react using just space, distance, and movement with the flocks. There is a symbiotic relationship between the animals, meaning that they work together to keep everyone safe.. Sheep can be so attuned that once they see they see movement, they will mirror the behavior.

How Herding Dogs Adapt to Different Livestock

Herding dogs are capable of working with a variety of livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, and birds. But how does the relationship between these species and herding breeds work?

Cattle- Cattle are social and outgoing creatures that can have quite playful personalities. However, they are skittish when faced with abrupt and unexpected movements. Due to their size and strength, nipping is a common cattle training style. Herding dogs will nip at their ankles to encourage them to move to a safe area.
Sheep- Sheep are a social bunch that possess a strong flock mentality. They can be quite an anxious bunch as they are animals of prey, and be easily distressed when approached quickly by the herding dogs. Their nervous nature is why spatial pressure is such an effective training technique.
Goats- Goats are an inquisitive and curious bunch. They require more flexibility and attentiveness with behavior training because of their free-spirited nature. Of the three mentioned, goats will test your herding dog's solving skills on the fly.

Interested In More About Herding Dogs

Are you looking for a trusted herding dog breeder? Kuykendall’s specializes in border collie breeding for farmers and ranchers alike. Reach out today to see how we can help you find the perfect herding breed for your needs.

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