These herding trials are designed to preserve and develop herding skills inherent in the herding breeds, and to demonstrate that they can perform the useful functions for which they were originally bred. Herding requires both respect for the livestock and strategic maneuvering for a specific purpose, such as moving livestock into their pen for safety.
These herding trials are official AKC events, open to AKC members only.
Herding Instinct Test (Non-AKC)
Description:
Amanda Farnsworth of Cherry Hill Training Center and her Team will be offering a Herding Instinct Test at the NYS Canine Expo. This test is a first step in assessing your dog’s natural herding abilities.
Test Duration: 10 minutes.
There is a fee for this test and it is due prior to starting the test.
Sign-up details to follow and a waiver is required to protect the livestock during testing.
Note: This test is not an AKC (American Kennel Club) test.
Herding Instinct Test (Non-AKC)
Description:
Amanda Farnsworth of Cherry Hill Training Center and her Team will be offering a Herding Instinct Test at the NYS Canine Expo. This test is a first step in assessing your dog’s natural herding abilities.
Test Duration: 10 minutes.
There is a fee for this test and it is due prior to starting the test.
Sign-up details to follow and a waiver is required to protect the livestock during testing.
Note: This test is not an AKC (American Kennel Club) test.
Bring your Positive Herding and/or Enrichment Games books to this event for a special moment & signature with Barbara.
Books will be available for sale at the signing if you don’t have one yet!
This unique herding workshop with live sheep can be done with or without a dog.
Dogs may attend on leash for an introduction to sheep. If your dog can remain calm, they’ll have the opportunity to move sheep. If they become over-excited, they’ll step out of the training area—but you’ll continue by moving sheep yourself and receive coaching on stock handling, timing, and position.
Working without a dog is just as engaging, informative, and fun. Dogs read sheep well, but sheep read people, dogs, and the environment even better. This is a fun, eye-opening first step into herding – guaranteed.
Don’t miss this unique experience of moving a small group of sheep through a course of chutes!
Herding Instinct Demo
Herding Instinct Test (Non-AKC)
Description:
Amanda Farnsworth of Cherry Hill Training Center and her Team will be offering a Herding Instinct Test at the NYS Canine Expo. This test is a first step in assessing your dog’s natural herding abilities.
Test Duration: 10 minutes.
There is a fee for this test and it is due prior to starting the test.
Sign-up details to follow and a waiver is required to protect the livestock during testing.
Note: This test is not an AKC (American Kennel Club) test.
Local organizations will compete in a light-hearted herding challenge for year-long bragging rights and a first-place ribbon.
Before the trial begins, there will be a short demonstration. Teams of two people will be randomly assigned a running order and a pen of sheep, then work together to guide three or four sheep through a set course. The trial is timed, with points awarded for successfully navigating chutes and obstacles. The judge’s decision is final 😉
This event features people only—no dogs—and participants are from the local community.
Come cheer on your favorite team and enjoy a fun, educational way to wrap up the Expo!