In my attempt to do right with our new German Shepherd/Husky dog from the shelter and after observing her around the cows the other day, I could so see the herding instincts in her. She also exhibits much independence and shows little interest in learning "tricks". I see though that she could be happy herding, which might sound like a humanizing description, but it seemed she was happy. She seems to come to live in herding and guarding though that is not going to happen in her present circumstance - which is why I went back online in search of "work" ideas for her. I myself feel such an affinity for something quite indefinable here - and then I stumbled upon these pages which describe the German Shepherd herding dog - and I am in awe.
Times have changed - and dogs are raised for different reasons now - but this is amazing.It seems that some of the lineage is being carried on on the Nickelsberg farm.
The Training of a German Shepherd Herding dog
The link below is an interview with Manfred Heyne - and it is totally worth it to read it all, especially the descriptions on how he selects the suitable puppies, the way they work together.
Priceless - Interview with Master German Shepherd Dog Trainer and Breeder Manfred Heyne
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| Nikko with the flock at Schloss Eisenbach – 1990 |
