We love seeing dogs do the job for which they were bred, but sometimes, that job can include “non-traditional” roles. In 2012, the AKC changed their rules by adding Boxers, a Working Group breed, to the list of breeds eligible for herding titles. A Boxer named, “Pip” is seen in the video below passing the second leg of her large flock test, and in so doing, becoming the first titled herding boxer in America. Share with us pictures of your dog doing something unexpected for its breed!
“Mid Century Modern Boxer” by Shawn Shea is available as a print here
That is very lovely obedience. It is, however, not herding. The stock is well trained and people friendly. The dog exerts no pressure on the stock and has very little influence on what they are doing. Please, do not encourage this training. I keep stock and train working Border Collies. Leave the non working dogs out of the fields.
More sheep and goats are injured or killed by pet dogs than any other predator.
Your comment is much appreciated, Tamara. We don’t doubt you, but marvel that the AKC was ‘ok’ with this if they didn’t think the dog was up to the task as required….
You are far too quick to judge. I KNOW this dog, I have also judged this dog in AKC and AHBA herding trials. Pip also competed successfully in Nursery Level USBCHA Trials at the Scottish Highland Games here for several years.
The video is of a run when I believe she was 2 yrs old (she is now 12 or 13) – doing AHBA Large Flock Level 1.
If you watch the entire video Pip kept the sheep from bolting down the road toward home — her owner/handler at the time was a new herding person, not a seasoned pro — the dog covered for her – without Pip those sheep would have bolted. I know I was there. In her prime Pip also worked cattle with a calm confidence that can not be “put in with obedience”.
You may think that only border collies can do the work – there are a great many other breeds that can and do herd well, while my breeds are Belgian Tervuren and Laekenois, you’d be surprised at what others outside of the herding group are truly capable of.
This is droving. The ancient art of moving livestock with dogs and is a precursor of herding. The idea of a good driving dog is that they are able to push and hold livestock with little fetching involved.
Herding, at which Border Cookies excel involves the dog being directed to go out from the handler and gather the stock then bring them back to the handler.
It is breedist to suggest that one way or the other is the most optimal way of moving stock.
Pip is amazing! Having had and trained both Border Collies and Boxers as working farm dogs I can attest that if you have at least one fully trained dog of each type your life is much easier!
Well done both Pip and her human!
Love to watch a working dog work! A beautiful sight!
Yes Pip Actually worked and was the 1st titled herding boxer anywhere, not just the US. She got two herding championships and i always chuckle at the thought that she was just obedience trained. she and i sucked at obedience. but folks who aren’t used to seeing loose eyed breeds control stock think they are off contact because they look away. It’s just ignorance on the part of the first comment author. Truly accomplished border collie handlers never thought that when they saw her work. no big deal.
We’re delighted to hear from you, Reegan, and to catch up with Pip’s latest achievements. Great picture!