When it comes to breeds that herd cattle or sheep, Bernese Mountain Dogs may not be among the first few breeds that come to mind – but think again!
Berners, like the one in this photo, were traditionally all purpose farm dogs from the heart of rural Switzerland, and their duties included rotating stock among pastures, bringing in dairy cows and goats for milking, supervising grazing, guarding the farm –and yes, even herding sheep. Berners are an approved breed in the Australian Shepherd Club of America’s (ASCA) Stock Dog Program and may compete in those events, as well as American Herding Breeds Association and AKC herding events. An ABHA trial is held annually at the Bernese National Speciality!
Herding is a very broad term. It encompasses the Border Collie with its large sweeping “outrun” in the hills of Scotland, the Australian Cattle Dog pushing cantankerous wild cattle into a corral, the Australian Kelpie backing 200 sheep in a crowded chute, the Rottweiler shouldering cattle into the butcher’s pens, the Samoyed driving a herd of reindeer for his nomadic owners along the Yenisei River, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier guarding his flock on the craggy shores of Ireland, and the Bernese Mountain Dog assisting the farmer to take two or three cows down the mountain road to the town market. Even Boxers are eligible to compete in AKC herding events.
Photo credit: missmac Otto with cow via photopin (license)
Operative word, “were”.
An assumption on our part, Tam, makes us think you feel Berners can’t herd anymore? We suspect owners would disagree with you as the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America holds an ABHA trial annually at their National Speciality, something we suspect they wouldn’t do if there wasn’t cause….
My Berner Ketzel would certainly convince most she could herd. She was the first BMD to achieve a WTCh- Working Trial Champion in ASCA with advanced titles in sheep, cattle and geese. Sadly she succumbed to cancer just before achieving her AHBA Herding Championship. At one cattle trial she was the only dog to qualify on a very tough bunch range cows. I encourage Berner owners to give it a try.
What a marvelous picture, Stu! We’re beyond sorry to learn that you lost her – they never, ever live long enough, but what a lovely message of positivity you’ve passed along because of her. Thank you for that.