On November 14, 2013 Kuyu along with 14 other Rhodesian Ridgebacks earned their Herding Instinct Certificate (HIC).   The Orange Coast Rhodesian Ridgeback Club held Herding Instinct Tests at Winning Edge Dog Sports in Chino.  Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not classified as a herding breed by the American Kennel Club, however, many ridgebacks exhibit excellent herding instincts.  It is believed that in the early history of the breed, in addition to their primary jobs of hunting and guarding, some ridgebacks may have been used for herding in Africa.  The AKC does not allow Ridgebacks to pursue AKC titles in herding.  But breed clubs can offer Herding Instinct Certificates where dogs are evaluated by a judge to determine whether the dog has good herding instincts.

Kuyu has a strong desire to herd.  He began herding when he was just 8 months old and it is one of his favorite things to do, right up there with chasing the bunny in lure coursing.  The HIC day was difficult for him as he had to wait his turn and was not allowed off lead once he got into the ring with the sheep.  But a great time was had by all the Ridgebacks and their people.  And we have a whole new group of big red dogs with HIC behind their names.

While Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not classified as a herding breed by the American Kennel Club, many ridgebacks exhibit excellent herding instincts. It is believed that in the early history of the breed, in addition to their primary jobs of hunting and guarding, some ridgebacks may have been used for herding in Africa resulting in honing of the instinct that seems to be present in some members of the breed today. It is amazing to watch a ridgeback who has never seen a sheep enter a pen and almost immediately know how to move the sheep and group them together.

That is just what happened when Kuyu, at just 8 months of age, entered the sheep corral with Chris Ashton of Enlighten Dogs. Under Chris’s watchful eye and guidance, Kuyu almost immediately knew his job was to keep the sheep together. Kuyu who is usually a very exuberant puppy was surprisingly calm with the sheep. He never once nipped or was overly active with them. Instead, he used his body moving back and forth to keep the sheep together. It was the most remarkable thing to watch! This was one of those times it was Nature more than Nurture that was most active!

Click here to see the video of Kuyu’s herding

When most people think of Rhodesian Ridgebacks they don’t think of them as herding dogs. But it is important to remember that Ridgebacks historically were working dogs in their early days in Africa. While Ridgebacks are not considered a herding breed by the American Kennel Club and therefore not eligible for Herding Competitions, they can earn the Herding Instinct Certificate (HIC). In order to participate in the herding instinct test, the dog needs no training before entering the event. A qualified evaluator takes the dog into a pen with livestock, usually sheep, to observe the dog’s ability to move and control the livestock and to assess the dogs style. Kanzu participated in the Herding Instinct Test in November 2010 sponsored by the Orange Coast Rhodesian Ridgeback Club at Trailsend Ranch in Phelan CA. The evaluator was Steve Waltenburg who is a licensed AKC herding judge.
Great fun was had by all and most all of the Ridgebacks showed great instincts for herding the sheep. Steve was very complimentary of Kanzu’s herding abilities. Many of Kanzu’s Tigris relatives were there for testing as well. It was especially amazing to watch the Tigris dogs who seemed to have a special affinity for knowing exactly what to do.
 
Click here for a video of Kanzu’s Hearding day