Stock dogs usually want to do one thing: work.
At Ag in Motion 2025, there was a demonstration that showcased the herding ability of these dogs.
Jared Epp of the Saskatchewan Stock Dog Association brought out his border collie, Dot, to show how the dogs herd animals.
While there are many different herding breeds — Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Australian Kelpie, Red and Blue Heelers and Australian cattle dogs — the appearance and breed of the dog is less important than their instinct.
“The length of the hair, the colour of the coat, the colour of the eyes, has nothing to do with what makes a dog a useful stock dog,” Epp said.
“The most important part of this dog that allows it to be useful as a work dog is planted right in here, in its skull. It’s a brain.”
Dot was trained by Epp since she was a puppy and now can easily herd sheep through the ring, even with a crowd of people watching.
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