The English Shepherd is an excellent stock dog. They weren known as “heel strikers” or “heel drivers” in the early 1900. They generally have a “loosed eyed” upright working style. Unlike their cousins the Border Collie who uses a strong “eye” or stare and a low crouched posture to move stock. The English Shepherd is known to work a variety of live stock from cattle, sheep and hogs, to chickens, ducks and turkeys. They are quick to learn the farm routine and will easily adapt to the work at hand. English Shepherds are very loyal and protective of their home and family and will keep away intruders of any kind.

The UESA offers herding instinct testing as a way to introduce herding to English Shepherd owners. Owners will be able to experience their dogs natural working instinct first hand. We hope to encourage English Shepherd owners to participate in herding clinics and events as well. The herding instinct test is also a way to help breeders monitor and maintain the natural herding & working instinct in the breed. Check the Calendar page for dates and locations.

Need help training, handling or working your stockdog? The UESA hosts herding clinics for novice to advanced owners for farm or trial work. Check the Calendar page for up coming clinics.

The UESA can hosts American Herding Breed Association (AHBA) herding trails. These trials are set up to mimic some of the duties of a stock dog on a farm or ranch. They’re a lot of fun for the dog and owner working together as a team, performing some of the tasks this breed was originally bred to do.

English Shepherds are allegeable to compete in the American Herding Breed Assoc. (AHBA), Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) and soon UKC will be offering herding trials.

For books, DVD, Videos and other herding and farm dog links click here.
For more information on the Working English Shepherd click here.
The Working English Shepherd Yahoo group list is a great place to chat with other English Shepherd owners who have working dogs, ask questions and share information.

If you would like to hold a herding instinct testing, herding clinic or trail in your area please contact Stockdog Committee.