titles - Page 1

why is that there are HGH titles on our shepherds anymore? shouldnt we be testing are dogs in a fields of work? Are there any great stud dog with this title today?

just curious

http://www.kirschental.de/

There sure are!

whitecloversheepfarm.com/sh-events.htm

There are quite a few dogs in Germany with HGH titles even still. Trouble is there just aren't that many SHEEP, thus not so many training sheep herding dogs. For most people there just aren't many opportunities to get the HGH in the US, not enough good HGH trainers and few sheep owners willing to let you use their cash crop for sport. Sheep get conditioned to the herding tests as well, so one is constantly needing fresh sheep to conduct a real test, just like needing fresh coes for training cuttin horses.

SS

There is quite a community of GSD people in the U.S. that do herding. Right now there is only one US venue for the HGH title so that limits opportunity. Several of  the programs do have courses that mimic the HGH however - the AKC C course and the AHBA continental course.

Unfortunately in herding as in all things GSD there is a controversy and bifurcation. Some people got stuck on the idea of the HGH as the "only" way a GSD should herd ( obviously never read Capt. Max history). I've done both styles and seen real HGH dogs work and let me tell you a good herding dog is a good herding dog regardless of "style"  - that needs a set of skills ot work stock- Pickup or  outrun, fetching, drive and penning skills. The "bordering" or as some call it "tending" is merely an exagerated(sp) wear on the part of the dog. When working in smaller settings and w/ less stock most GSDs will show a longer wear ( working side to side to keep the stock contained and moving) than a lot of herding dogs.

Herding is great fun- the thing I enjoyed most doign with my dogs. It's always different because the stock is always different.  I personally like a herding dog that can think and act on his own and is not "robot"  trained or directed footstep to footstep.

Tell us where you are and we can probably head you to some herding venues. The "styles" available will depend on your local topography and climate and what kind of sheep do well there. Out in the desert west here we herd mostly w/ "barbies" - Barbados hair sheep who are small light parasite resistant who can live off the worst grazing conditions (no plush green meadows to be had)  and are more like antelope than sheep ( they can prong right over a 5 foot fence). Google "linda rorem" she has a good site that can get you started. Very nice person and if you are in her area at all someone I would recommend for testing a dog's working ability on stock.  Knows GSDS and is not afraid of them ( their speed , strength and unfortunately reputation scare many herding trainers).

Some of the venues to explore in addition to the ones above are the AKC program ( go to their site), AHBA ( American Herding breeds Association), ASCA - the aussies but any breed can enter . Border Collie and Kelpie people have a bunch of different stock dog programs all open to any herding dog. Each association/venue has it's own courses, rules and titles. There is a lot of simliarity between some of them. Most also offer "ranch dog" classes wh/ is the American equivalent of the HGH - a practical every day problem solving session.

see my posting on "the most titled dog ever" for links to some US dogs with herding titles.  Have fun!

My dog and good buddy, Theo Von Ryan (and also his brother Lugar)
love to herd sheep for fun!

Theo could probably have some kind of herding title by now, but gee wiz,
I have been raising 8 kids, (on the side) and have been somewhat busy,

BUT, since 5 of the rug rats have moved away, look out sheep, there's no 
hiding from Theo!!!

Hi

My boy was trained and titled to the HGH title here in the U.S.  as well as a Schutzhund 2 (3 is on the horizon)  :).  He also is titled in AKC C Course to the HX level.

Here is his link if anyone is interested. 

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/377128.html

My female was also trained and titled with the HGH title.

Great pictures of Ike.  The variety of things you've done is wonderful. 

Thanks animules!