TeMar German Shepherd Dogs

AKC HERDING

The AKC offers a variety of herding Tests and Trials with different styles of herding and different livestock.

Course A is done inside an arena.

Course B is open field with obstacles.

Course C is open field with road, grazes, obstacles and pen. 

While the German Shepherd Dog can and does compete in all of the offered styles, it is the TENDING style of herding that is the natural one for this breed. "Course C" is the AKC version of this style, trialed in in open areas, with a flock of at least 25 sheep and testing dogs on how they maneuver the livestock in and out of the pen, on roadways with traffic, on grazes, and over bridges. While simplified, this is a version of what the dog may actually encounter when doing the required work of a shepherd. This style highlights why the GSD has the qualities that make this a unique breed -- trainability, independence, responsibility, assertiveness and courage.

Complete AKC Herding requirements are available on the AKC Website.