How does the HGH compare to AKC C-Course Herding? - Page 1

The higher levels of C, obviously.

I was chatting with our herding instructor yesterday, in between sessions... this was our second time out there, so I was picking his brain about the different styles and such. He was saying how he runs in everything except C-Course because he has Border Collies and explained that you wouldn't do well in C with an eye dog like a BC or Aussie, but that it is basically what GSD's were bred to do. He also said that he judges C-Course, and it is really something to watch a good Shepherd working it.

So I've done a smidge of research on it, found the course layout anyway, I'll get back to it in a bit... but it looks very similar to an HGH course and I was wondering if any of the more experienced people out there knew more about it to give a comparison. I suspect the AKC version is pretty watered-down, but...

Hope you get some answers, not many here know much about the HGH and some think very little of it as an evaluation of a dogs working ability.  The first big difference is the number of sheep, its 200, the second biggie is the way "grips" are handled.

Here are the rules:

http://www.gsdca-wda.org/documents/pdf/programs/herding/GermanHerdingRulesHGH.pdf

You might contact the folks at Guesthaus German Shepherds as they have two female GSDs with the HGH title and might be able to give you some insight.  

I wouldn't bother with such a crappy dog, Dawulf.

I know Jen. And she just hates to work sheep. The trainer doesn't know why we even waste our time - says shes an awful example of the breed and could never make it as a working dog.

Momo - thank you for that link, I will check it out tonight! I do not understand why people wouldn't think of it as a test of working ability... our GSD's were bred as herders before they were bred as protectors. I personally do not think I would breed a GSD that did not show the instinct to herd, at least (and I'm not saying I would stop there, but that is besides the point... I am not a breeder). It really is something to watch a dog who has never done it before to go out and be herding sheep in about 30 seconds of being in the pen with them.

Hoof n Paw - Thank you, I will do that!

Would be cool to try for an HGH, sucks that the only place I know of that does it is all the way in NY.

Hey, what else does a footloose and fancy-free young lady have to do besides drive to NY?  

It really is unfortunate that there so few "official" venues in certain areas of the US.

BTW, I got your text this morning. WTH??? I wouldn't ignore that. That's awesome!

AHBA has applied for membership in the AWDF, I believe this means they are investigating ways to issue scorebooks and HGH trials.  I don't see any other reason for them to join otherwise, right now they have guest membership.  Does anyone have any further information on this?

LOL! Trust me the thought crossed my mind. I already drive 2 hrs (little more) one way to go visit the trainer, so hey, what's another 14 in the other direction? You would think, being in Nebraska, we'd have herding coming out of our ears, but there are only two that I know of, and the other one apparently just let's people come out and herd her sheep  willy-nilly when they have no clue what they're doing. The guy we go to has over 30 years of experience, works his own dogs in high levels, AND is a judge. To me the drive is worth it, knowing that you are actually getting quality training.

You got that this morning? I sent that at like 5 pm yesterday... weird!

She really is a natural, I wish you could come watch. He constantly is saying what a nice dog she is (I'm worried though... it's going straight to her head!). We did 3 different sessions yesterday, and there was a HUGE difference in between each one. She learns it so fast, and her expression is just pure joy when she is doing it. At this point I feel like I am the one who needs the most training. :) There is a trial in October that I'm *hoping* to enter her in as they offer the Instinct Test "officially", and I'm hoping I can get someone to tag along and video it for me so I can share.

 

Momo... that is interesting!

Just look up the test for each and it will show you there is not much comparrison. They are different in type and in complexity IMO. Both take work and skill but IMO the HGH is so much more.