American Herding Breed Association (AHBA)

Herding Capability Test

- Boxers Only -

Sunday, December 4, 2011

check out some of the pictures from this successful event!

What:  Herding instinct tests for the first leg of the American Herding Breed Association’s Herding Capability Tested title, the HCT.  AKC/AHBA herding Judge Richard Godfrey will be the judge for the tests, where you will walk your dog in on lead, and the judge will handle your dog for the test while you verbally encourage your Boxer.  Mr. Godfrey will explain competitive herding, what achieving the second leg of the HCT requires of the dog and handler, and speak about herding with the “Upright Breed.”  Boxer herding demonstrations will follow. 

When:   December 4, 2011   Starting at 9:00 a.m.

Where:    Action K-9 Sports.  Located in North County San Diego.

15671 Old Milky Way, Escondido, CA

Check Action K-9 Sports website for directions under herding   http://www.actionk9sports.com/facilityRentals.php5

Cost:   $47.00 per dog

Lunch will be available for purchase the day of the trial.  The cost is $7.00.

Judge:      Richard Godfrey

Richard Godfrey is an AHBA and AKC judge. He has owned, trained, and trialed one of a handful of German Shepherd dogs in the nation to earn the "Triple Crown" of herding -- a championship in AKC, AHBA, and ASCA. Rich has experience training and trialing with all types of livestock, and many breeds of dogs for over 12 years. He is also an experienced handler in obedience, rally, carting, agility, tracking, and Schutzhund. Rich also has the distinction of being the first judge in the nation to give a Boxer the HCT, not long after they became an accepted breed in the American Herding Breed Association.  Rich is “Boxer friendly” and looking forward to the day!

Sponsored by:  The Boxer Club of San Fernando Valley

Registration:    Space is limited.  There will be a total of 20 dogs tested. 

Registration forms (both must be submitted)

AHBA Registration Form  BCSFV Entry Form  These are Adobe PDF files

Mail completed form with payment to:

Reegan Ray

734 San Dieguito Drive

Encinitas, CA 92024

AHBA explains their requirements for passing the 1^st leg of the HCT as follows –

“A dog which, after a period of introduction, shows sustained interest in herding livestock, either going around them, gathering them and moving them toward the handler, or moving them ahead of the handler to drive them, or a combination… A variety of approaches and styles are acceptable.  It is to be remembered that many dogs through inexperience will make mistakes in their early exposures to livestock, but at all time the tester must see clear-cut evidence of herding instinct, with the dog attempting to keep the animals grouped and attempting to control their movement…Dogs should show some responsiveness to direction.”

2011 Event Pictures
Shannon Jordan with Fergie	Fergie herding sheep!
Sheila and Dennis' Carmel herding sheep !	Susan Burnett with Charlie
Julie Martin's Zeek