Herding Dog News and National Finals Coverage

The National Finals of the American Kennel Club's (AKC) Herding Dog competition is a highly anticipated event, where top herding dogs from across the country gather to showcase their skills.

The 2022 National Finals took place in Springfield, Illinois, and saw over 200 dogs competing in various herding events.

Herding dogs are bred to work together with their handlers to move livestock, and their intelligence, athleticism, and strong work ethic make them well-suited for this task.

The AKC's Herding Dog Group includes breeds such as the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, and Old English Sheepdog, each with their unique characteristics and abilities.

For your interest: National Dog Show 2023 Dogs

A dog named Tilly was ejected from a vehicle during a car accident in Idaho and was found two days later herding sheep on a nearby farm.

Tilly is a 2-year-old border collie and red heeler mix who weighs about 70 pounds and has a distinctive appearance with a dark face and no tail.

The accident occurred on Idaho State Highway 41, where Tilly's family was driving when they crashed into another car, launching the dog through the rear window.

Tilly's family wrote a Facebook post that included a picture of the dog and over 3,000 people shared it, which is how the Potters recognized her as the same dog they saw on their farm.

The Potters believe Tilly was drawn to their farm and their sheep, and that she was trying to herd them.

Tilly was handed over to a Kootenai County Sheriff's Office deputy by Zane Potter, one of the brothers who recognized her.

Tilly, a 2-year-old border collie and red heeler mix, vanished for two days after being ejected from a vehicle during a car accident in Idaho.

The accident occurred on Idaho State Highway 41 when Tilly's family crashed into another car, launching her through the rear window.

Tilly ran away, prompting an immediate search by at least six complete strangers who witnessed the crash and pulled over to help.

The search lasted about 10 hours on Sunday before the family went home, sore and exhausted.

Tilly was eventually found on a family farm south of Rathdrum, where she was seen herding sheep.

The Potters, who own the farm, recognized Tilly from a Facebook post shared by her family, which included a picture of the dog.

Tilly was drawn to the farm and its sheep, according to the Potters and Tilly's family.

Tilly has no tail and a dark face, and weighs about 70 pounds.

A Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office deputy was driving by the farm and helped reunite Tilly with her family.

The driver of the other vehicle in the accident was taken to a nearby hospital and treated and released.

Tilly's family was relieved to be reunited with their dog, and grateful for the help of the strangers who searched for her.

A different take: Sheep Dog Herding

Tilly, a 2-year-old border collie and red heeler mix, was ejected from a vehicle during a car accident in Idaho and was found herding sheep two days later.

The dog's instinct to herd sheep is a testament to its breed, which is known for its keen intelligence, agility, and instinctive herding skills.

Tilly's story highlights the strong connection between herding dogs and their natural instinct to herd.

The United States Border Collie Handlers Association National Sheepdog Finals is a competitive event that showcases the talents of herding dogs and their handlers.

The event, held at the Strang Ranch in Missouri Heights, Colorado, benefits Colorado Animal Rescue and raises awareness about land conservation.

Border collies are the breed that excels at sheep herding, with some dogs able to work independently and others requiring their handler's guidance.

For your interest: All Herding Breed Rescue

In Idaho, a remarkable story unfolded as a dog, Tilly, was found herding sheep after being ejected from a vehicle during a car accident.

Tilly, a 2-year-old border collie and red heeler mix, was driving with her family along Idaho State Highway 41 when the crash occurred, launching her through the rear window.

The unharmed but stunned dog then ran away, prompting an immediate search with at least six complete strangers who witnessed the crash and pulled over to help.

The search lasted about 10 hours on Sunday before the family went home, exhausted.

Tilly was eventually found on a farm south of Rathdrum, where she was recognized by Tyler, Travis, and Zane Potter as the same dog they saw on their family farm.

Both the Potters and Tilly's family think she was drawn to the farm and their sheep, and that she was trying to herd them.

Tilly weighs about 70 pounds and has a distinctive appearance, with no tail and a dark face.

A Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office deputy was driving by the farm and helped reunite Tilly with her family.

The story of Tilly's adventure highlights the strong herding instincts of border collies and red heeler mixes, and the importance of community and kindness in helping lost animals find their way home.

The National Sheepdog Finals are underway in Missouri Heights, showcasing the talents of herding dogs and their handlers.

The event is being held at the Strang Ranch, a working ranch that has been in the Strang family since 1965.

The finals started on Tuesday and will run daily through Sunday, giving spectators a chance to witness the quick and confident work of the dogs and their handlers.

The event rotates every three years between eastern and western coastal locations and Colorado, which is considered a central locale.

The Strang Ranch is a picturesque setting, with majestic beauty and a living connection to the Western lifestyle.

The ranch is also home to an equestrian center for boarding horses and hosts the Roaring Fork Hounds Pony Club.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Colorado Animal Rescue (C.A.R.E.), with an average of $8,000 to $10,000 raised from parking and admissions in previous years.

If you're interested in volunteering for the event, you can email [email protected] to sign up.

Ranchers often work with their herding dogs for 8-10 hours a day, 5-7 days a week.

Herding dogs need regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and stress.

A well-trained herding dog can help a rancher manage a herd of up to 1,000 head of cattle.

Ranchers typically start their day early, around 4:00 or 5:00 am, to give the dogs time to warm up and get ready for work.

Herding dogs are bred to work in a variety of weather conditions, but extreme temperatures can be challenging for both the dogs and the ranchers.