Nancy Sheep Herding

Last week Ci the Border Collie hit the headlines after his fear of sheep was revealed, even though he's meant to round up his owner's flock. But now another dog is creating a stir in the sheepherding world. This time its Nancy the Chihuahua, who has been caught on camera herding sheep with all the skill of a seasoned Border Collie.

Tiny Nancy weighs just 2.5 lbs but she has proven her expertise in the field, by confidently herding sheep more than six times taller than her.

Farmer Geoff Temple from Surrey has seen Nancy in action, and describes her as "amazing". He explains: "I've been herding for 17 years and I've never seen a Chihuahua work sheep. I now train other people and their dogs and see about 15 people a week, and almost without exception they are all Border Collies. Nancy really is something special - she's a fun-size sheep herder."

The plucky pooch was brought into Battersea Dogs & Cats Home two years ago, when she was aged just three weeks old. Nancy had severe sarcoptic mange and had to be hand-reared by the animal charity's Head of Canine Welfare Training Ali Taylor. Ali decided to adopt Nancy, and as the years passed, she frequently took the tiny dog on visits to farms.

Ali explains: "Nancy used to watch all her Border Collie friends herd the sheep and she seemed very interested in what was going on. One day I decided to give her a whirl in the ring and she picked it up straight away. I started in a very controlled environment but it quickly became evident that Nancy has natural ability and loves herding sheep."

Despite Nancy's impressive skills you won't see her on One Man and His Dog anytime soon. Ali explains: "Nancy and I only do this for fun, and to prove that rescue dogs really can do anything. At Battersea we rehome a lot of dogs to working homes, such as with farmers, in the armed forces and as assistance dogs. People sometimes underestimate rescue dogs, but they really are fantastic, and go on to do amazing things."

Ali also stresses that owners shouldn't try this at home. "I wouldn't encourage anyone to try sheepherding with their dog unless it is under proper supervision from an expert," she says. "Some dogs could react very badly, and you could end up harming your dog and the sheep."

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Nancy
• herding
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[iloveflowerbeetles]

Chihuahuas are often underestimated!

[tadeuganzella]

joinha pra que viu no G1

[animelover462]

So, the chihuahua chases some sheep randomly around a field.... that's not herding.

[niquebc]

legal adoro esta raça,um amor mesmo parace que esta muito feliz,boa sorte e cudem bem dela,ou mandem para mim que cuidarei.rs-braszil

[Supercucu123]

There is a lot more to herding and stockwork than the public thinks. This really isn't herding but chasing. You can understand how true shepherds (not the AKC herding fanatics) would find this as a insult.

[nathebastard]

That's not herding, that's chasing. 

[c00505]

She's not herding as a collie would (projection of an intimidating presence, iron self control etc.) but rather the way that corgis and dachsunds were originally trained to do; by chasing and nipping at the ankes of the stock. If this were just chasing then the sheep would be all over the place; these are being kept in a fairly tight knot most of the time, and inividuals that split off are being brought back.

[Politicalboxers]

If Nancy needs any help have her call the Boxers.

[swimkin]

My toy poodle loves to herd our three cats. The only problem is they can jump higher than he can.

[Honeybea264]

If Babe can do it Nancy can do it too :-)

[FunScott]

Quiero Taco Sheep!



[TheCookingRodent]

NEW! Watch "World's Cutest Dog (Driving)" Its so cute!