Bringing out the Best In Border Collies, Dogs That Need Work

Border collies are born to run. And to chase sheep. More accurately, they love to herd sheep and move them around. Sheep are not the smartest farm animals, but despite being relatively docile, they present a challenge to the dog trying to round them up. A little like herding cats. A border collie in action is a lesson in laser-like focus. The dog’s entire body trembles with energy and desire to move as it waits for the command from the “hand” and then when given the release, shoots off, long and low to the ground, doing an end-run around the sheep; it’s a contest of smarts and strategy. Mish Ferraro, one of the organizers of the Finality Farm Sheepherding Trials taking place this weekend, says border collies are the breed of choice for sheep-handlers because of their biddability. “They’re looking to please you,” she said. But what about Labradors, aren’t they all about making their owners happy? Ferraro explained, “Genetically, breeders have been dumbing dogs down. In a lot of breeds, we’re looking for an animal that will be content to be left at home while everyone in the family goes off to school or work.” That’s not the border collie. The absolute need of a border collie to have a job has resulted in a creative use of their inherent talents. In many suburban communities around the country border collies are employed to chase geese off golf courses and airport runways. Border collies are bred for intellectual acuity. These dogs can multi-task, thinking and running and listening to the handler all at the same time. Ferraro credits her mentors, Amanda Milliken and Barbara Ray, both breeders and handlers who have won many championships with their dogs, with helping her understand the business of sheepherding. “You need to help the dog understand the job so that it makes sense, so that they can think for themselves.” In a sheepherding competition, the handler must stand near a pole at one end of the pasture and direct the dog to fetch the sheep congregated at the far end of the field. The dogs are to bring the sheep down through or around a series of obstacles. Using a whistle (and sometimes their voice) the handler directs the dog. High-pitched, long and insistent like a teakettle, little toots, or chirps like a bird, the whistle sounds like a conversation. Watching the dog respond, an observer can practically hear the handler say, “Move them a little to the left! Watch the flank on the right! Pick-up that straggler!” Ferraro says that the goal with sheepherding is “to use the least amount of energy to get the sheep where they need to go. It’s all about straight lines.” Ferraro, an equine vet and partner in the Millbrook Equine Veterinary Clinic, travels with her five border collies to all of her farm calls. She got her first border collie about five years ago and in that short time she has completely embraced the dog’s desire to work. At the time she had eight sheep on her property that she and her partner, Kak Weathers, raised for their wool. Now they own 70 sheep and have 30 lambs on the ground. In addition she’s bred one of her female border collies and two of those offspring will compete this weekend. Finally, Ferraro, Weathers, and Joe and Jackie Evans organized the Finality Farm Sheepherding Trials at the farm of Barbara Meyers in Dover Plains. This is the third year of the trials and they run from Thursday, May 17, through Sunday, May 20. At least 99 dogs are entered to compete at each of the trials. Spectators are welcome. There will be bleacher seating and vendors selling food, but all are welcome to bring their own chairs and picnics. Admission is free but a charge of $5 per car is suggested. For directions and more information, go to www.nebca.com. Or go to www.dutchessland.org. The Dutchess Land Conservancy is sponsoring the event.