got some sheep - Page 3

No, blitzen you didn't get it right. I said;  'However, the GSD is SELDOM USED FOR WORKING LIVESTOCK IN THE USA...that's why I wanted to post this. It takes money and work long term for a project not everyone has the space for. (building secure place for the sheep to prevent coyote predation, spent a lot buying the sheep after finally finding some young healthy ones available, spent an hour washing the van and crates after offloading).'

 

I dont care about your 'tending' titles....i suppose those new titled dogs every month are asl? Obviously that title hasn't done anything to strengthen the lines...

Okay., whatever Joan.

The herding titled GSD's represent all lines, not all are ASL's. I don' t keep my magazines, so can't say for sure, but I'm guessing about half are ASL, half working lines. Essentially the same dogs that are titled in other AKC performance venues.

There actually are quite a few sheep farms in FL and a few herding/tending trials every year.  Some offer classes and tending/herding instinct tests for all breeds. Yes, quite a few GSD people in FL do title their dogs in herding.

When I worked for a farm vet we had a flock of 30 some sheep on site and tended them using his 2 Labs. He still has a flock in PA and still prefers Labs although I've never quite understood why. At that time no one was using GSD's as far  as I know, but the BC's were in demand. I liked the sheep, but couldn't get into the meat thing, so it wasn't a whole lot of fun for me to get to know them and then see them go to market. 

Labs? That's interesting, never seen that but wouldn't mind seeing it.

You're not missing much. They sort of ran through the flock wanting to play with the sheep and my boss considered it herding.  Most vets I have known and worked for want dogs that are obnoxiously friendly so Labs fit the bill. The sheep were fenced and had access to the barn,  so they weren't going anywhere anyway. I doubt any of his Labs could have passed a herding instinct test.

Mod edit, no place for your sarcasm, you said on the last page you had nothing to contribute. If the post I have just edited is all you have maybe you're right about nothing to contribute. Shame you had to bring what could have been a good thread down to your usual level.

 And you have been warned on countless occasions about questioning moderation on the forums, do it in a PM.  mrdarcy (mod)

Blitzen I did kinda wondered about the Labs, lol,lol.

I actually owned an Olive babboon that would have been able to pass the 'herding instinct test'. He loved to gather the ducks in a bunch, if one of them tried to leave, he would gently grab it by the neck with his human like hand and pull it back into the little bunch in front of him.
He couldn't trot, though, he just loped or walked. But when he got inspired, he could run as fast as a dog. When I butchered a deer for the dogs to eat, he would get very excited, anticipating some meaty ribs and a chunk of raw bloody liver, which he ate with relish...like a child with an ice cream cone.  But watching him gather the ducks up was fascinating. I don't have any pictures, I never carried a camera back in those days, so I have no proof. The babboon is so dog like in behavior and looks...they are called 'dog-faced' monkeys for good reason. In fact, they look and act like a cross between a monkey and dog.

Not a problem, Joan. I think it's very interesting that you have some sheep and that you are planning to work them using your GSD's. You are fortunate to live where you can do that. Most of us can't so if we want to do things with our GSD's we have to go with organized classes that aren't always geared toward GSD's only. The last herding class I attended locally was pretty much dominated by BC's and Corgis. There were only 2 of us with GSD's, disappointing for us owners, but the dogs had a great time and they both looked pretty good.

 

Baboon, that's interesting, shame you don't have any photos like the old ones you posted in another thread, never mind. Think Baboons herding might be a tad OT though, lol.

I guess some Labs have saving graces, but they are few and far between for me. I think I'd rather have a baboon.