HERDING AND THE BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG by April Rifenburg
In Switzerland Bernese were used as a general purpose farm dog. They drove cattle, pulled carts, and served as watchdogs around the farm as well as with the herd. The Bernese Mountain Dog today should be strong and agile enough to do draft and droving work for which he was used in the mountainous regions of his origin.
Do today’s Berners display herding instinct? Yes, many do. Do they herd like a Border Collie or Aussie? No, they do not. Different breeds have different herding styles and instincts. A large, intelligent, calm natured dog with an independent nature was required to tend and to drive the Swiss cattle to and from the pastures of the Alps.
Bernese are not eligible for the AKC herding program at this time. However, the American Herding Breed Association recognizes Bernese as a multipurpose breed with herding background and allows them to participate in their program.
The first leg of the AHBA program is called Herding Instinct Certification (HIC). The tester, handler, with dog on a long line enter the enclosure with sheep (or ducks). The tester guides and encourages the dog to herd. He may do most of the handling unless the owner is experienced. The tester may carry a light pole or crook to be used when necessary to block the dog from coming too close to the stock or to aid in guiding the dog’s movements. If the crook inhibits the dog, it will be set aside. Simple training by the tester is done because good herding ability is the ability to learn and take directions. The tester is looking for the dog’s natural tendencies to keep the livestock together without biting. The line is removed or let drag if the dog is not overly aggressive and is reasonably biddable. A maximum of 15 minutes is allowed; a minimum of 5 minutes of sustained herding interest is required to pass the test. As part of the test, the tester educates the owner and spectators and fills out an evaluation sheet indicating the behaviors exhibited by the dog and marking it pass or fail.
The instinct tests are pass or fail. The dog either does it or he doesn’t. Not passing would include the dog that shows no interest in the livestock, is afraid of the livestock, is too distracted by the surroundings, stands at the gate wanting out, is too aggressive towards the livestock, repeatedly splits the group and singles one out to attack, exhibits chasing rather than herding behaviors, or cannot be tested off lead or with lead dragging.
The second AHBA leg is called Herding Capability Tested (HCT). It is similar to the first leg, however the owner is more actively involved in the handling of the dog under the tester’s supervision. The dog needs to exhibit 5 minutes of herding activity, to be responsive and under control of the handlers command to being recalled, and to pause or stop (sit, down, or stand) when told. Constructive herding activity, not chasing, should be evidenced. Strong desire and a willing attitude should be demonstrated showing the dog has potential to be trained as a useful, practical working dog.
While these first two legs denote herding instinct, the third AHBA leg, called Junior Herding Dog (JHD), requires stock dog training. It is the equivalent to the AKC PT (Pre-Trial) title, which bridges the gap between instinct tests and the actual trials. To earn a JHD title, the handler and dog must perform a series of tasks that show the dog is capable of performing herding work at a level just below the beginning trial level. Tasks include: pause, collect and control, controlling movement of the stock, turns (go-by; way to me), steady, reliable stop, repen.
At an AHBA herding instinct test held in Lodi, California in February 1997, there were twenty all breed entrants, seven of which were Bernese. Eight dogs passed the HIC that day, three of which were Bernese. Each of the three passing Berners have sires that are working ranch dogs. Their dams have HIC or HCT titles. The testers, Shannon and Gayle Oxford, are AKC herding judges (Shannon is also an ASCA judge) having tested and observed many Bernese in herding tests, the first being my Berner in 1986. The first sanctioned AHBA herding instinct test for Berners, sponsored by Sierra West BMDC, was held at their ranch in 1991. They were surprised to witness the thinking ability, gentleness, and herding interest in our breed. Ten of the thirteen Berners entered passed the first leg. Several months later, Sierra West held an all day herding seminar conducted by the Oxfords. Each of the fifteen participants did three runs that day. Even though the weather heated up in the afternoon, these Berners stuck to the task at hand. A second AHBA instinct test for Berners was held in 1992 with eight Berners passing the second leg HCT and several more Berners earning the first leg HIC. One of these Bernese, Dallybeck’s Instant Appeal (Jessie) demonstrated such tremendous herding instinct and ability that the testers considered training her for actual herding trials. Trialing requires intense training, intelligence, strength, and endurance. Several of Jessie’s offspring have exhibited her strong herding desire and intensity.
AKC offers several Herding trial titles. They also realize that different breeds have different herding styles and instincts and have prescribed "courses." The "A" course is a farm or ranch course that demonstrates the versatility of the all purpose herding dog. The "B" course is a modified International Stock Dog Society (Border Collie) course that reflects the type of work done when sheep are kept free-roaming in hill country. The "C" course is a modified European course and showed the style of herding used when sheep or cattle are confined on a small farm lot at night and taken daily from the farm to graze on an unfenced pasture.
Bernese enjoy working activities and are capable of doing a variety of tasks. They are happiest when being with, doing for, and pleasing their people. They are truly a versatile breed.
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Herding Organizations and Titles Offered
compiled by Marjie Cherry
AHBA - American Herding Breed Association
Currently the only titles offered to Bernese
Herding Trial dog-HTD I, II, II
Herding Ranch Dog-HRD I, II, II
Junior Herding Dog-JHD
Herding Capability test-HCT
Each title can be earned on sheep cattle or ducks indicated
by a small letter after the title.
HTCh-Herding Trial Champion
Rule books may be obtained by writing the AHBA Secretary and requesting the
"Herding Test Program" and "Herding Trials Program" rules (AHBA
Secretary,
1548 Victoria Way, Pacifica, CA 94044).
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ASCA - Australian Shepherd Club of America
Started Trial Dog-STD
Open Trial Dog-OTD
Advanced Trial Dog-ATD
Ranch Dog-RD
Each title can be earned on sheep cattle or ducks indicated
by a small letter after the title.
Working Trial Champion WTCh
A rule book may be obtained free of charge by writing ASCA and requesting
their "Stockdog Rules." The address is 6091 E.Hwy. 21, Bryan, TX 77803-9652,
(409)778-1082.
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AKC - American Kennel Club
Herding tested-HT
Pretrial-PT
Herding Started-HS
Herding Intermediate-HI
Herding Excellent-HX
A rule book may be obtained free of charge by writing the AKC and requesting
the
"General Regulations for Herding Tests & Trials." The address is 51 Madison
Ave.,
New York, NY 10010. The AKC is a registry. AKC approved clubs can apply
to hold sanctioned or licensed tests/trials. The Herdsman is the AKC Herding
Program
informational newsletter and is issued
bi-monthly by subscription.
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CKC - Canadian Kennel Club
Herding Junior-HJ
Herding Started-HS
Herding intermediate-HI
Herding Excellent-HX
HERDING TRAINING BOOKS
"Anybody Can Do It," by Pope Robertson. Rovar Publ. Co. 522 East 2nd St., Elgin, TX 78621
"The Farmers Dog," by John Holmes. Popular Dogs Publ. Co. Ltd., 3 Fitzroy Sq. London, WIP 6JD
"The Perfect Stockdog," by Ben Means. Available from the National Stockdog Magazine, PO Box 402, Butler, IN 46721
"Herding Dogs: Progressive
Training," by Vergil Holland. Howell Book House, 15 Columbus Circle, New York NY
10023.
"Lessons from a Stock Dog," by Bruce Fogt. The Working Border Collie, Inc.,
14933 Kirkwood Rd., Sidney OH 45365.
"A Lifetime with the Working Collie. Their History and Training," by Arthur
Allen. Rt. 3, McLeansboro IL 62859.
"The Perfect Stockdog," by Ben Meansn. Available from National Stockdog
Magazine, 3184 CR75, Butler IN 46721.
"RDT's Puppy Book. Ranch Dog Trainer," HC 69 Box 300, Oscar OK 73569.
