Dogs to bring their herding instincts to national competition

CARVER -- There’s nothing sheepish about Dakota and Vega.

When the two border collies run onto acres of field at their home, they have one focus: The sheep that are lazily grazing.

At the sound of various whistles and verbal calls from their owner, Mike Perry, the pace changes.

The dogs dart off to herd the sheep, taking them through specific paths, separating one from the flock and returning them to Perry’s side.

The dogs use their predatory instincts and a lot of practice to master the skills.

Perry will showcase their talents at the United States Border Handler Association National Sheepdog Trials in September in Alturas, Calif., located in far northern California about 40 miles from the Oregon border.

To help raise funds for the trip, Soule Homestead Education Center, 46 Soule St., Middleboro, is hosting a fund-raiser from 10 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Aug. 29. Perry is a familiar face at Soule, where leases land at Soule to train dogs and often demonstrates the herding dogs at Soule events.

He will do one of these demonstrations at the event. Other features of the day will include sheep shearing demonstrations by sheep shearer and educator Aaron Loux, a kid’s area with crafts and activities, face painting, music, a community weaving project and food options.

For Perry, working herding dogs is a family tradition. Perry owns Sheepdog Junction, which was founded in 2004 by his grandfather Richard Seaman.

When Perry graduated from high school, he decided to pursue the farm life. “I’ve always liked agriculture so it wasn’t a difficult sell,’’ he said.

In addition to his own border collies, the business trains dogs of varying breeds the skills of herding. This can help with their obedience, confidence and impulse control, according to Sheepdog Junction materials.

Competitions such as the one in California judge the dogs on a variety of abilities.

These include the dogs’ ability to separate one sheep from the flock, place the sheep in a pen, move the sheep through panels and return the sheep to their handler.

The dogs move nearly non-stop during their training practices, which makes the post-herding time in a water tub welcome and necessary, Perry said.

But once the sheep have been herded and the dogs’ bodies have been cooled down, their energy levels drop to levels that might surprise people.

“They’ll sleep 14 hours a day,’’ he said. “As long as nothing stimulating is happening, they can relax.’’