Herding is more than just an instinct—it’s a refined skill that has evolved over centuries based on the demands of different livestock operations. While many breeds exhibit herding instincts, the way they work livestock varies significantly depending on their genetics, training, and the type of work they were historically bred for.
In practical farm and ranch settings, a dog’s herding style is not about preference or aesthetics—it’s about effectiveness. If a dog can move and control livestock efficiently, it will be used; if it cannot, it won’t. However, in herding competitions and breed performance tests, discussions about herding style often become a focal point of interest.
Understanding the different approaches to herding helps handlers select the right breed for their needs and refine their training techniques.
While all herding dogs share the fundamental goal of keeping livestock under control, three primary styles of herding have developed:
- Driving
- Mustering (Gathering)
- Tending
Each style is associated with specific breeds and has been shaped by the environment and needs of the agricultural industry where it originated. Let’s take a deeper look at how these styles differ and which breeds excel in each.
Driving Style Of Herding: Controlling Livestock from Behind
Driving is a herding technique where the dog pushes livestock from behind, moving them away from the handler and into a designated area, such as a pen, loading chute, or pasture. This method is commonly used in cattle operations, where the dog must apply steady pressure to encourage movement without causing unnecessary stress to the livestock.
Key Traits of Driving Dogs
- Confident and assertive
- Willing to work independently of the handler
- Skilled at controlling movement without excessive force
- Can work in close quarters, such as pens and stockyards
Breeds Known for Driving Herding Style
Australian Cattle Dog (ACD)
Developed in Australia for handling tough cattle over long distances, the Australian Cattle Dog is one of the best examples of a driving dog. ACDs use a mix of barking, nipping at heels, and body movement to push cattle forward while remaining aware of pressure points to keep the herd moving smoothly.
Australian Shepherd (Aussie)
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd was developed in the U.S. as a versatile stock dog. Aussies are excellent at penning and chute work, often seen working cattle ranches in the American West. Their natural instinct to drive livestock forward makes them valuable for stockyard work, where cattle need to be moved efficiently into enclosures.
Rottweiler
Originally bred in Germany for droving cattle to market, Rottweilers still retain their strong driving instincts. They move livestock with controlled force and can be especially useful for handling large, stubborn cattle.
Mustering (Gathering) Herding Style: The Art of Rounding Up Livestock
Mustering (also called gathering) is the process of collecting scattered livestock from a wide area and bringing them toward the handler. This style is critical in open-range farming, where livestock graze over large distances and may not be in daily contact with humans.
Key Traits of Mustering Dogs
- Strong instincts for circling and controlling movement
- Highly responsive to whistles and commands from a distance
- Natural ability to read livestock behavior and anticipate movement
- Works best with minimal interference from the handler
Breeds Known for Mustering Herding Style
Border Collie
No breed is more synonymous with mustering than the Border Collie. Developed in the British Isles, this breed excels at working independently to gather sheep scattered across large hillsides and bringing them back to the handler. Border Collies use intense eye contact (known as “the eye”) to control livestock without unnecessary force. Their agility and ability to work at great distances make them indispensable to shepherds worldwide.
Kelpie
The Australian Kelpie is another top mustering breed, bred to cover vast distances in Australia’s rugged terrain. Unlike the Border Collie, Kelpies rely more on movement than eye contact to control livestock. Their endurance and ability to work in extreme heat make them ideal for large sheep stations.
Welsh Sheepdog
Less known but still highly skilled, the Welsh Sheepdog is a loose-eyed herding breed that excels in gathering livestock over uneven terrain. Unlike the more controlled style of the Border Collie, Welsh Sheepdogs use a more fluid, adaptable movement to manage sheep.
Tending Style: The Living Fence Approach
Tending is a unique form of herding in which the dog acts as a moving boundary, keeping livestock contained within a designated area or guiding them along a route. Unlike driving or mustering, which focus on moving animals from one point to another, tending dogs patrol the perimeter to prevent animals from wandering into restricted areas.
Key Traits of Tending Dogs
- Constantly patrols and guides the herd
- Maintains a consistent boundary between livestock and off-limit areas
- High endurance for long hours of steady work
- Works in close cooperation with the handler
Breeds Known for Tending Herding Style
German Shepherd Dog (GSD)
The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is the classic tending breed, originally used in Central Europe’s open-field farming system. GSDs were responsible for guiding massive flocks of sheep through villages, keeping them from straying onto crops while ensuring safe passage across roads and bridges. Today, GSDs trained in herding still excel in this role, demonstrating their unique trotting movement that allows them to cover long distances efficiently.
Belgian Shepherd (Malinois, Tervuren)
Belgian Shepherds, including the Malinois and Tervuren, also have a history of tending. While they are often recognized for police and protection work, they were originally bred as multi-purpose farm dogs, capable of keeping livestock within designated areas.
Can a Herding Dog Work in Multiple Styles?
Many skilled herding dogs can adapt to different styles depending on their training and the type of livestock they handle. For example:
- A Border Collie trained for mustering may also perform driving tasks when needed.
- An Australian Shepherd with strong instincts may be able to gather as well as drive.
- Some German Shepherds have been trained to move livestock in a driving pattern, even though tending is their natural style.
While a dog’s genetic instincts strongly influence its preferred herding method, proper training can expand its versatility in herding work.
Choosing the Right Herding Dog for the Job
Herding styles are not about preference—they are about function. Whether your dog is driving stubborn cattle, gathering sheep across vast fields, or tending flocks along boundaries, each method has been refined over generations to meet specific agricultural needs. Understanding driving, mustering, and tending allows handlers to appreciate their dog’s natural instincts and train accordingly.
While some herding breeds are specialists, many can learn to adapt and work across styles. The key to success is recognizing each dog’s strengths and shaping their training to complement their abilities.
For those interested in herding as a sport or breed test, competitions like AKC Herding Trials, ISDS Sheepdog Trials, and HGH German Tending Tests provide an excellent way to evaluate a dog’s working skills while preserving this age-old partnership between humans and dogs.
