DUCK HERDING is a sport?! O.O

[Knighstar679]

So does that mean some breeds train better? And if so which ones? Are they smarter?

Herding breeds come in a couple of varieties. You have you all around farm dog these are dogs like Belgians, German Shepherds. Then you have you heavy herders which are your Australian Cattle dog and border collies, then you have softer herders which usually have collies and Australian Shepherds.

All herding breeds are known to be smart. The catch would be how much drive is in the dog. Many of these dogs are workaholics. My youngest Belgian has an amazing work drive and she has a sense about natural herding. She usually can move the ducks around pretty easy without stressing them. Many good herding dogs can master not stressing the stock while moving them.

 

[RiverOtter]

So does that mean some breeds train better? And if so which ones? Are they smarter?

I always cringe when I hear "are they smart" when someone asks about an animal

Intelligence in animals is like dynamite. No substitute for it if you have a need and know how to channel it ... otherwise, it's just a destructive force.

Intelligence and trainability are distinctly different things, and not always linked. I've got a horse here who's dumb as a box of rocks, but man, I love him. Once you get an idea into him it is THERE, forever. He's totally reliable.
I've got another who's smart as a whip... and once in a while, like all intelligent creatures, she gets bored. And then life gets really interesting for a while.

... idea of compartmentalized competitions if that nature are hard for me as well. I love the idea of 4H and have been a leader in horse programs, but some part of me twinges at the stress on the animals when it comes time for transport.

I have to disagree. Mild stress is healthy (more and more people are understanding this as quarantine stretches on) My horses quickly learn what show day preps are, and the mild stress quickly morphs into excitement. Mental stimulation is important. As we're all realizing you may LOVE your home and spouse ... but there are an awful lot of people starting to appreciate getting out of the house and being able to talk to someone else. Your poor dog or horse with their comfy bed and nice yard don't even have the internet. Just that same view. That same barn. That same field. That same routine. Every. Single. Day.

For humans, we call that prison.

 

[nao57]

Herding breeds come in a couple of varieties. You have you all around farm dog these are dogs like Belgians, German Shepherds. Then you have you heavy herders which are your Australian Cattle dog and border collies, then you have softer herders which usually have collies and Australian Shepherds.

All herding breeds are known to be smart. The catch would be how much drive is in the dog. Many of these dogs are workaholics. My youngest Belgian has an amazing work drive and she has a sense about natural herding. She usually can move the ducks around pretty easy without stressing them. Many good herding dogs can master not stressing the stock while moving them.

My dad was was telling me the Belgians are now one of the top choices for police dogs now.

You made me think of that. But I don't really know much other than that.

But sheep people like the collies...so I wonder why police don't use the traditional shepherding dogs?

 

[DuckyDonna]

Both of my border collies are incredibly smart. The amount of words they know is awesome and you can actually see them thinking. If only we could keep our youngest one from eating duck poo she'd be with them all day!

The ducks like her mostly except when she gets to be annoying to them because she doesn't want anyone to stray from the flock they yell at her. She has never been trained but instinctively herds them.

We had an Anatolian shepherd that would guard the ducks and they loved her so much that they would climb all over her. She was not a "herder" but she sure took care that nothing would get them!

 

[RiverOtter]

But sheep people like the collies...so I wonder why police don't use the traditional shepherding dogs?

Well, for one, my GSD weighs a lean, trim 87#. The average Border Collie weighs about 35 - 40. If my girl decides you're stopping ... you're stopped. A dog less than half her size might have the will, but can't back it up as well.

But a Border Collie doesn't really have the will
They were bred to be worked by anyone. Traditionally, they were raised by whoever bred them till they were old enough to start training. Then they were kenneled with a trainer while they learned their job, then they were bought by the farm who needed them - and they might hire a different shepherd every year or two.

You can't really have a police dog who'll take commands from whoever gives them.

German Shepherds traditionally herd by patrolling a border. They don't work a herd with the surgical precision of a Border Collie, they keep the herd HERE, in this field and out of that one with the corn. A place for everything and everything in it's place, just so. This, and being bred to be one-man dogs, more naturally lends itself to police work.

 

[nao57]

Well, for one, my GSD weighs a lean, trim 87#. The average Border Collie weighs about 35 - 40. If my girl decides you're stopping ... you're stopped. A dog less than half her size might have the will, but can't back it up as well.

But a Border Collie doesn't really have the will
They were bred to be worked by anyone. Traditionally, they were raised by whoever bred them till they were old enough to start training. Then they were kenneled with a trainer while they learned their job, then they were bought by the farm who needed them - and they might hire a different shepherd every year or two.

You can't really have a police dog who'll take commands from whoever gives them.

German Shepherds traditionally herd by patrolling a border. They don't work a herd with the surgical precision of a Border Collie, they keep the herd HERE, in this field and out of that one with the corn. A place for everything and everything in it's place, just so. This, and being bred to be one-man dogs, more naturally lends itself to police work.

Wow.

Such neat ideas. Thanks.

Animals are truly amazing. Its quite interesting how the different traits come out in each breed consistently.

 

[nao57]

Both of my border collies are incredibly smart. The amount of words they know is awesome and you can actually see them thinking. If only we could keep our youngest one from eating duck poo she'd be with them all day!

The ducks like her mostly except when she gets to be annoying to them because she doesn't want anyone to stray from the flock they yell at her. She has never been trained but instinctively herds them.

We had an Anatolian shepherd that would guard the ducks and they loved her so much that they would climb all over her. She was not a "herder" but she sure took care that nothing would get them!

Do these anatolian shepherd dogs have that as a breed trait, or is that just unique to yours?

When I shut off the TV, its amazing how many neat ideas are coming to my mind to try to learn about. I'm noticing things I didn't before.

 

[Knighstar679]

My dad was was telling me the Belgians are now one of the top choices for police dogs now.

You made me think of that. But I don't really know much other than that.

But sheep people like the collies...so I wonder why police don't use the traditional shepherding dogs?

Belgians are a type of shepherds. There are many types.

Belgians are usually very lean power house dogs that can use their weight and speed to their advantage. while a typical Belgian that is bred right should weigh between 40-68 pounds don’t let that fool you.

They are fast and easy to train. Can be taught to switch handlers if needed but do best with someone they have built up a trusting bond with. What they lack in weight behind a take down they make up for it with speed. A 50 pound driven dog that is trained how to take someone down can feel like a 90 dog when it hits you.

Belgians are considered all purpose dogs because they are herd a flock similar to a border collie, guard the flock similarly to a guardian dog, track, and still be a loving family dog. Their aren’t to many breeds that go into that category. The German Shepard and the Dutch Shepherds are the only two I am aware of that have similar qualities. All are used for military and police work.

 

[Teneniel]

This site has the best discussions, I’m so happy.

also I wanted to say that I had a thoroughbred gelding who was also beyond dumb and man was that a great horse.
Eventually. . I totally know what you mean.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Do these anatolian shepherd dogs have that as a breed trait, or is that just unique to yours?

When I shut off the TV, its amazing how many neat ideas are coming to my mind to try to learn about. I'm noticing things I didn't before.

That is so true! I watch very little TV but love to read.

Anatolian shepherds are livestock guardian dogs so I guess they were bred to guard and not eat the animals they are watching. Great Pyrenees are very similar to Anatolian and are bred and do the same. I let her with the ducklings when they were a couple of days old and she was gentle and great with them. The only thing I was afraid of is that she'd step on one by accident. She was well over 100 pounds.

Our dog was an old girl in horrid shape when she came to us. We are sure she was "dumped" off in our area. The vet said she was probably 10-12 and of course we knew nothing about her training. We live in a very rural area so lots of farms. She was such a good girl and was so happy to have a home. We took her in, cleaned her up and she was part of our family until her poor old body just gave out. She had a happy ending at any rate. She and my male Border collie were best friends.

I'd get another in a heartbeat but my husband wanted another border collieMy male BC can't stand her so it's not a great situation. There is all kinds of information about these dogs online. They've been around for a really long time and came from Turkey.