Above Photograph: Ernie, making friends with a sheep ...

Sheep Herding (2010)

What can you say about Alaskan Malamutes who are herding instinct certified? Well, that they were driven a very long time to try this! May 2010 I loaded up the furry dolly mobile with Ernie, Ooky and Tinker and went to try this instinct test with real sheep. After each had a turn herding sheep - they passed! There are almost no pages on Google with Alaskan Malamutes herding sheep. Mine account for a few and following this sheep herding link will show you one more Alaskan Malamute herding sheep. I know more exist, I guess they just don't have a Web site.  

It is a working instinct test; not an aggression test, nor a vicious dog test, nor a predator test. It is a test to see WHAT natural drives they have with respect to prey, working, unfamiliar settings, animals, situations. ANY dog can try this however not every dog will get it. Outright aggression (attacking the sheep, excessive barking) or fear (hiding) are not attributes to be cultivated in any working breed, sled dog or sheep herder.

In the end, Ernie, Ooky and her baby Tinker each recieved their 'Herding Instinct Certificate' - Ernie and Ooky were the oldest dogs there - but Tinker was like a regular little cattle / sheep dog. Was she fast! fast! fast! and highly focused on what she was doing, and patient!

Dust Devil: Tinker permorms much like any good herding dog during the test. Most focused Malamute I've ever owned!

I'm a glutton when I see mutton: Pretty much looks like Ernie is here for a good time, not dinner time!

Insert JAWS them song music here. Ooky didn't enjoy getting dirty but had a great time earning her HIC!