German SHEPHERD dog Working Dogs

Fascinating article really interesting

Only just had chance to read this, and i agree, very interesting.

Has Zak's breeder ever had anything to do with sheep and gsd's?

Helen

These are two of the more advanced videos showing a lovely bitch working towards her HGH title - which she has now gained. It is from a series of videos showing Kessy from her initial herding instinct test through to being almost ready for her first HGH test. Really interesting stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oohw5VY67jw&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HFb15h11A0&feature=player_embedded

Not as far as I know, no. Very exciting news for me is that I have been put in touch with another GSD owner who has started working her WL GSD on sheep down South. She is currently looking to buy a flock of quiet sheep of her own, so I am guessing will be training her dog in the more traditional way of tending the flocks. It will be fab to have someone to compare notes with

And a video of a UK dog being started on sheep. This is more in the style of how you would start a young, untrained collie, so I am going to try and get in touch with the owner of this dog to find out how successful their training has been.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX436OCI8Lg&list=UUnLkMCQTcaafIpmxBfvoF2Q&index=3&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmJ-Tlmywdg&lr=1&user=Mirk4Work

i think they were called Andalusia's?

That will be interesting!

Helen

It is fantastic. I have had a chat with the woman I mentioned a couple of times now, and she really knows her stuff. She has used GSDs for many years in a tending capacity, mainly with pigs and horses, but also sheep and cattle. Unfortunately she had to give up her farm some time ago, but now wants to get back into keeping sheep and titling her GSD bitch in HGH. She also has some really exciting ambitions for the future

She very kindly watched Zak's progress on video for me and pointed out things I had never even thought of. She seems to think he does have some aptitude for the job, although we are held back by my inexperience and also the type of sheep we have.

Although interestingly, she told me how there are around 5000 working shepherds in Germany who work mostly up mountains, so the GSDs are definitely capable of hill work. That is many more than I expected to be tending sheep for a living, I have to say.

Also, I found this interesting "the 'open fields' system of managing sheep (GSD) is even older than the gathering style of sheep management (collie style) - the dog types utilised are selected because of their propensity to use of different parts of the canine (hunting) behavioural sequence/spectrum...... the GSD (trained and working on a tended flock) is working at the 'beginning' part of that sequence which is inherently less threatening to sheep - hence they will graze right up to a border upon which a GSD is working. The collie is working at the other end of that sequence, much closer to the part where a bite is necessary...... sheep much less likely to hang around in close proximity!"

If only the person who was giving me flak about training Zak on sheep had hung around long enough to read the above!

Just a bit of an update.

Due to the combination of either hot weather, swarms of midges or rain we haven't had Zak down to the sheep for a few days.

This morning, OH was gathering up one flock of ewes and lambs (around 700) to take them in to the pens and decided to take Zak along to see what he would make of it.

Here are the videos, and as you can see, Zak is totally under control now (the main aim) and he actually does show he can be useful too, as even his presence is enough to get the sheep moving.

I am hoping that once we inherit my FILs heavy, quiet sheep (Suffolks) I may be able to try and train him in a more traditional tending manner, but that is just impossible with such flighty, wild sheep as the Blackies.

he is coming on so well. He just loves his life, and seems to take everything in his stride. He will certainly keep you busy. Its great to see, you both, putting so much into him. Great team work. Great dog. Wel Done Zak. thanks for sharing.

I have tried to watch these but can't. I have upgraded my data allowance which will kick in by tomorrow so will give it another go tomorrow. Very frustrating as i want to see them!!!!

Helen

They aren't that exciting really He is totally under control though, so that is the most important thing at the moment.

Btw how do you upgrade your data allowance (to what, and how much is it?). I seem to regularly go over my allowance (I think it is because I tend to watch quite a few videos) :-(

Still interesting to look at.

I just rang them up. We were on 8gb for £25 but have gone up to 16gb for £39.99very frustrating I have to pay that much but we thought as Sam is now on the computer a lot, it's worth it. If you do ring up, make sure they don't upgrade your system as well as that costs £25 extra!

Do you know you can check how much you are using? They gave me web address.

Helen

Thanks. I will have a think about it. I don't know how to check. Could you PM me the web address please

Will do it when I get home - sat outside at JC country while Sam plays on tractors. Have come down to get some hay and surprisingly, it isn't raining!

Helen

OK thanks Just checked, and I already pay £34.99 a month (£10 of that is renting the dish etc) and so don't really want to pay any more.

Just to let you know that you have a totally fascinated, albeit silent, follower of this amazing thread.

I am loving the pictures and your descriptions of what is happening so much - I just have nothing to contribute hence not posting. Just reading and admiring both you and the fabulous Zak. xx

Thanks Malka. I am pleased that you are enjoying the thread

I've just read through and watched all the little videos, and I am well and truly amazed.
Just the other day I was saying that GSD aren't doing the job they were bred for, and here is the gorgeous Zak doing just that! Well speechless and totally impressed.
I can see what you mean about the different types of herding with different sheep. He is so much more laid back and easy going that what the collies are when they are working, but that may just be the training of the collies as well as instincts and style.
Good luck and please don't stop the thread! :-D

Aww thanks SarahJade. I am going to continue the thread, but will probably just add photos/video when Zak has progressed in his training, then hopefully it won't get too repetitive for people who are interested.