There
are several Herding Programs available or open to the
“all breed” dog. In Canada we have several
courses available through the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC).
The first
is the arena course. This has been in existence for several years.
As of January 2006, CKC has also accepted and introduced 2 other
courses. One is a ranch course and the other a tending or boundary
course. Most stock used in CKC trials are sheep and ducks.
CKC trials are open
to ALL registered breeds of dogs.
For CKC rules
and regulations in their herding program Click Here.
The second
program available in Canada and the U.S. is through the
American Herding Breed Association (AHBA). AHBA
offers instinct levels, arena trials, ranch course, and an open
field course. Most stock used in AHBA trials is sheep and ducks.
AHBA trials
are open to all dogs in the HERDING breeds and mixes
thereof. For a complete list of eligible breeds click here.
For more information
on the AHBA program click here.
The third
program available in Canada and the U.S. is through the Australian
Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). ASCA offers several
different arena courses and most often offers these on sheep,
ducks and cattle.
ASCA trials are open
to all dogs in the HERDING breeds and mixes thereof. For a complete
list of eligible breeds click here.
For more information
on the ASCA program click here.
In the U.S.
you also have another program available for all breed herding
and this is through the American Kennel Club (AKC).
AKC offers 3 different courses referred to as A course, B course,
and C course.A course is set up as an arena course geared to the
versatile style of all herding dogs. B course, is set up like
an open field border collie trial and is geared towards the eye
breeds (Border Collie and Kelpie), however, any AKC registered
breed within the herding group (and breed exceptions) may enter
this course. C course is a tending/boundary course and is loosely
based on the German HGH Herding trial for German Shepherds
that is held yearly in Germany and in New Jersey in the U.S. Although
this course is set up to showcase the strengths of the tending
breeds, all AKC registered breeds within the herding group and
Exceptions may enter.
For more information
on the AKC herding program Click here.
