Herding (Cattle, Sheep, and Ducks)
This gallery has photographs taken on Saturday at the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) herding trials in Pomona. Open to all herding breeds, the dogs must herd cattle, sheep, and ducks. For each species the dog must herd the animals out of a small holding pen, through “gates,” through a narrow passage, and into an enclosed pen. The very large Black Angus cattle pose a robust challenge through their feistiness and size. The sheep, elegant, goatlike Barbadans, challenge with their skittishness and speed; the ducks, because they obviously believe the dog wants to hunt, not herd them, require the dog to move with patience, subtlety.
One of the most charming aspects of herding trials is the intense interest the dogs take in watching the dog in the arena — sometimes a counterpoint to their owners.
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