Herding the Heeler Way
This past Saturday took me down to the hills of Escondido to see herding trials sponsored by the Australian Cattledog Association of Greater Los Angeles. Other breeds were in the trials, but I focused principally on the little Heelers — as they are called in their native Australia. Their name comes from their action of nipping at the heels/hooves of cattle in order to drive them in the direction their handlers want. They are obviously tough, smart dogs — handling beef cattle takes a lot of force, and heelers have no shortage there. They seemed intently focused as if their lives depended on it, and, of course, when working a 1.5 ton steer, their lives do depend on it. In these trials, the heelers had tasks herding the cattle through “gates,” “chutes,” and into holding pens, where they would have to keep the steers for a specified time. They also worked sheep and ducks, a very difficult task for heelers, since biting sheep or ducks is not allowed.
I have included photographs of some of the onlookers, Border Collies, as always the most impassioned, and I supposed impatient (for their turn) spectators.
Click on the photograph to see the album.
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