
1. Personal Background and Experience
– Can you tell me a bit about your journey into shepherding? Was this something you grew up around, or did you discover it later in life? What has kept you passionate about it all these years?
I am a 3th Generation shepherd (in Germany, Shepherding is an apprenticeship with 3 apprentice years and after that you also can do a Bachelor Professional in that job).So yes, I grew up with that .My Kennel Was founded by my grandfather in 1948.
– What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned about working with animals over the years?
Animals judge us without reservation, no matter where we come from, what we look like or what we are. Animals live in the moment, they are loyal, for them inner values count a lot (treat them with respect so they are loyal and faithful).
2. Choosing German Shepherds for Herding
– Why did you decide to use German Shepherds instead of other herding breeds like Border Collies or Australian Shepherds? What qualities make them especially suited to this work, in your opinion?
We always have had GSD for herding in our family .Surely there are also other good herding breeds; some of our apprentices have had old german herding breeds or border collies. I think the GSD suits my character best.
– Have you ever used other breeds for herding? If so, how do German Shepherds compare in terms of instinct, drive, and loyalty?
High willingness. Herding sheep should be a calling for the shepherd and his dogs and should be associated with passion, perseverance, dedication and passion. (Example: When the dogs notice that I’m getting dressed for herding/preparing the car, they show a significantly different enthusiasm for work than when I play with them.
3. Key Traits in a Herding Dog
– When you’re evaluating a German Shepherd for herding, what specific traits or qualities do you look for? Are there any unique abilities that stand out to you?
Hard work beats talent,but Talent makes work easier. The team achieves success and can compensate for each other’s weaknesses. A good dog handler can achieve very good results from a not so talented dog, just as a well-disposed dog can lead a not so experienced dog handler to success
– How much of their herding ability do you think is instinctive versus trained, especially for German Shepherds?
I think the puppies choose me out and not the other way around. I think dogs, even puppies, have a very keen sense of basic human characteristics. Just sit in with the puppies (without food or toys), don’t expect anything from them and you will quickly see that some puppies seek closeness and stay with you and others distance themselves again, start playing again or the situation is resolved Watching from a distance, bored. (So you can draw conclusions for yourself about our work, some are more affectionate, others more independent (play), others more thinkers.
4. Daily Routine and Dog Contributions
– What does a typical day look like for you and your dogs? How do they contribute to the various tasks involved in managing the flock?
First let the dogs together out and clean the kennel if it is needed.I take 2 with me to control the sheep outside (fenced my night)the other dogs are with my wife in the barn feeding the sheep with the lambs…..
– Are there specific times or tasks where you rely on your dogs more heavily, or times of year that are particularly demanding?
At 10.00 o clock i went out for herding (always 2 dogs “Haupthund/Beihund “one for the distance work and one for the work on my side).Normaly we change the dogs at the half herding day,specially in summer.(a sheep needs round about 6 hours to eat added time to ruminate, maybe some ways to work)so round about 10 hours outside.
After work we let the dogs again run and play together in a pack before they get their food.
5. Training Methods and Philosophy
– Can you walk us through your training approach for herding? How does it differ from the training you’d use for obedience or protection work?
Trust must be earned. Be always fair , only demand from the dog what he can actually provide(with your words and your body language)
I think obedience and protection is in the genetic and you are able to train it in the way for so much different jobs which a GSD is able to do.
– Do you have any particular techniques for building trust and communication with your dogs? Are there any commands or signals you find especially effective?
The dogs name is a really important command by us,because we work always with two dogs together.
6. Challenges of Herding with German Shepherds
– What are some of the biggest challenges you face working with German Shepherds in herding? Are there any behavioral traits that make the work more demanding?
For me working with the sheep isn’t a challenge anymore, it is my passion.The modern society with a lot of traffic,lot of walkers with dogs,cyclists…makes my and the dogs work morentona challenge.
– Compared to other breeds, do German Shepherds face particular physical or psychological challenges in this line of work?
In terms of temperament, the German Shepherd must be balanced, nerve-steady, self-confident, absolutely uninhibited and (outside of a stimulating situation) benign, as well as attentive and manageable. He must have drive behavior, resilience and self-confidence in order to be suitable as a companion, guard, protection, service and herding dog.(i believe in the GSD Standard)
7. Memorable Moments and Stories
– Is there a specific experience or story with one of your dogs that stands out? Perhaps a time when their skill, intelligence, or bond with you made a big difference?
I think shepherding sheep with dogs doesn’t surprise me that much since it’s an everyday occurrence for me. I never thought that so many people on Facebook would be fascinated to see German shepherds herding sheep. I’ll pass this question on to you .
– Do you have any memorable stories that highlight the unique personality of one of your dogs or the bond they share with the flock?
With the animals you usually experience things every day that still surprise you. 8. Advice for Aspiring Shepherds
– What advice would you give to someone interested in using German Shepherds for herding? Are there specific things they should know about the breed before beginning?
Don’t forget we are herding sheep not because to show our dogs,we work with the dogs for the sheep. We try to convince the flock of sheep with the help of the dogs what is best for them.(so that the sheep interests and the shepherd’s interest are the same at the end.)
– What common mistakes do you see people make when they try to train German Shepherds for herding, and how can they avoid them?
You have to adapt to the dog because we want something from him (we are obliged to bring it). Train step by step, every dog has a different character. We need to train to adapt.
To have no patience is always a big fault in working with herding dogs.
A lack of clarity and comprehensibility in your own communication with the dog is disadvantageous. Work patiently, in the end it is more effective than training with pressure and overzealousness. Small training units with partial success are important and encourage us and the dog to achieve further success. Always plan enough time for the tasks and never teach under time pressure.
9. Impact on Well-being of Dogs and Shepherd
– How does herding impact the physical and mental health of your dogs? Do you think this type of work brings out their best qualities?
I think a dog which is physically and mentally able to work as a herding dog ,also is able to do really a lot of other Jobs (helping blind,social work,protection, rescue……also family member too).
– What about you? How does this lifestyle affect you personally, both physically and mentally?
I think to see the GSD independent working as a living fence you se best the anatomy and also if he is balanced out of his character (calm ,effective ,long term trot work ,with enough pressure to keep the sheep behind their border without without disturbing the sheep while they graze.
10. Cultural Significance of Herding with German Shepherds Today
– How do you see the role of shepherding evolving in the modern world? Do you think the tradition of working with herding dogs is still valued today?
There will always be new challenges, but the profession of shepherd has been around for so long and I believe that there will still be demand for it in the future.
– What does it mean to you personally to be able to work with these dogs in this traditional way, especially in a world that’s increasingly automated?
My wife and I work here for the Bavarian state for a state Institution(like a agriculture collage),to train professional/hobby shepherds in all around the shepherd business with sheep and the part herding is very popular.