At some point long ago, some person must have noticed a dog who particularly enjoyed herding—using his own movements to control the movements of a herd, flock, or group of livestock. (This behavior is part of a dog’s wolf ancestry; wolves are very good at directing the movements of their prey.)
Eventually dogs were bred who had extremely well-developed herding instincts, and people learned how to train these animals and use them most effectively to control their flocks.
Specific herding instincts differ from breed to breed. For example, Australian Cattle Dogs are heelers—they stay behind the herd animals and nip at their heels to drive them where they are to go.
Border Collies, on the other hand, are headers—they stare the herd animals down and direct their movement from the front of the herd. Some dogs use a combination of tactics, and certain breeds are specifically bred to herd one type of livestock, while others are more adaptable and can control various types.
In all herding breeds this instinct is so strong that even pets who never received any training will often be found spontaneously herding poultry or other animals or trying to collect and guide the family’s children.
Herders as Pets
The intelligence, attention to detail, and ability to learn rapidly from their mistakes that serve these animals so well when dealing with a recalcitrant flock also make them particularly delightful family pets.
Herders are typically high-drive dogs who need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to exist peacefully in a home. They also get bored easily, so training must be made interesting to keep their attention.
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