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GSDCA
Breed Information - GSD Working Dog Information
GSDCA
GSD WORKING DOG INFORMATION
This webpage provides
information and promotion of the working, sporting and training aspects
of the German Shepherd Dog conducted by affiliates of the GSDCA and its
member clubs in all states and territories of Australia. For further information
and other articles published from time to time, you will need to subscribe
to the German Shepherd Dog Quarterly National Review (use link to
GSDCA
INFO webpage above).
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Links to other
Australian Working Dog Clubs
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The
German Shepherd Dog at Work in Australia - Herding.
Lorraine Simpson and
San Rancho Jeronimo (Jasso) - working in the first Herding Trial.
Background:
The German Shepherd
Dog is a multi purpose working breed. One of those natural traits for which
they were known for many years ago, herding, is now being well and truly
revived in Victoria, Australia.
Some years ago, the
Goulburn Branch of the GSD League of NSW started a Herding section, but
through lack of support it fell into oblivion and the discipline was lost.
We now have a chance and the duty to help stimulate this area again by
showing support for this activity. A group of dedicated people, who are
struggling through without any real training grounds, and a lack of sheep,
goats, pigs, or ducks to train with, would welcome your interest in and
support of GSD's herding.
Herding:
As a recognised ANKC
dog sport, it is a relatively new discipline to the Australian GSD world.
Herding is being very enthusiastically followed by a small group of GSDC
of Victoria members. This group includes Erica Hogan, Lorraine Simpson,
David and Heather Lade, and Urs Rhyn who have been training for the past
18 months. The GSDC of Vic members are trialing in the Working Dog Club
of Victoria Sheep Herding Trials.
Picture from left:
Lorraine Simpson and Jasso, Heather Lade and Khana, David Lade and Fleco,
Urs Rhyn and Mischa, and Erica Hogan and Meer
All have gained their
first pass in the Herding Instinct Test (HT) Certificate, which without
this certificate, you cannot enter into a Herding Trial. The certificate
is a recognised official ANKC Title. This group attended a 3 day seminar,
and put the dogs through an extensive training course. They were then tested,
where they either pass or fail, before going on to the next test at a later
date. You must then gain 2 pass certificate's before gaining your ANKC
HT Certificate, after which you then can try for your Herding Started Certificate
(HDT I), which is about on a level of Novice Obedience. The instinct testing
in this case was done by a professional Herding Judge on a trainer’s property
in country Victoria.
GSD bitch “Ashka”
in training
One of the major drawbacks
for the group is finding suitable grounds for training, and someone willing
to lend them a few sheep to train with. Nevertheless they now have all
passed the Herding Instinct Test, and a couple of them entered and passed
the first official trial held in Victoria. [The Herding Instinct Test is
a pre-requisite to trialing, and is recognised by the VCA and other State
Kennel Controls, and conducted under ANKC rules].
In Australia, ANKC
Rules and Regulations require that the HT is earned by passing two Instinct
tests. While the HT is a prerequeset to entering Herding Trials, one does
not 'have' to do a 3 day course to enter or pass the HT. HT's are only
run by ANKC affiliate Clubs, and only judged by ANKC herding judges. Under
ANKC Rules, once one has passed the HT they are able to enter Herding trials
at any level (Started or Intermediate or Advanced).
The
German Shepherd Dog at Work in Australia - Search and Rescue Dog.
The
German Shepherd Dog at Work in Australia - Dog Sport - Obedience, Tracking,
Agility.
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