All the Way to Someplace Else (and back again).: They Just Gotta Work

Peter Kidd National Champion Dog Trialer

Dogs can be amazing animals. When we visited Peter and Maree Kidd on Saturday on our way to Akaroa, we saw such dogs.

When we got off the bus, Peter was waiting for us. He took us over to his dog boxes and spoke to us briefly, explaining the difference between a heading or eye dog and a huntaway. Then Peter let his dogs out of their boxes and showed us all 5 of his dogs, one of which is a national herding champion. All of his dogs were lean and sleek, no fat dogs here!

After showing us the dogs and explaining a little about their training, Peter took one of the heading dogs to herd sheep down the driveway and into the open. It was amazing how one dog, without barking or physical contact could keep the sheep moving.

Moving the sheep down the driveway

The differences between a heading dog and a huntaway are that huntaways are known for their large, muscular builds and loud barks, whereas heading dogs, also known as eye dogs, are known for their smaller, streamlined build, quietness, and stoic stare which allows them to herd the sheep into a tight mob. Huntaways and eye dogs are bred based on their function or job, not their appearance so they can look different but eye dogs look somewhat like Border Collies and Huntaways look a bit like shepherd mixes.

Then Peter let 4 sheep out and had the same dog herd them up the hill.

Letting a small group out to send them up the hill

Pip eyeing the sheep

He rotated the dogs, sending a fresh one up the hill to move the sheep away showing us how each dog responds to a different whistle. During this he moved the sheep all around on the hill. Eventually Peter sent a huntaway up the hill and he rounded them up by moving them with his loud bark. Tuff brought the sheep back down and put them back in the pen while Peter explained what the different whistle commands meant.

Working the hill.

Chief then came for a visit with the group. Chief was the national herding dog champion two years ago and won first place out of 287 runs. He is now 11 years old and has some arthritis in one of his front legs but he still likes to get out and work. We got our picture taken with Chief.

Getting to meet Chief was pretty cool

You can read more about their big national win here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/sheep/10125699/Better-late-than-never-for-new-national-champion

Mom and Aunt Lesa hadn't visited the Kidd's since 2008 so they were glad to be back and hear about Peter and Chief's success. Maree handed out some dog whistles for student to try to make work, people took pictures and said their goodbyes and then it was back on the bus for Akaroa.