05/08/2026
“It’s just their herding instinct”
It’s a phrase that gets frequently applied to a lot of behaviour when the source is a herding dog – but is this actually the case?
Let’s deep dive into the difference between herding and predation!
Herding isn’t a separate set of behaviours – it’s the same ancestral predatory sequence, modified through centuries of selective breeding. So the behaviours can look incredibly similar.
But looking similar doesn’t necessarily mean they’re serving the same purpose. Both may involve orienting, stalking and chasing. The difference isn’t really what the dog is doing – it’s why they’re doing it.
A dog that’s controlling movement and working cooperatively with their handler is solving a VERY different problem to a dog trying to capture their target.
Knowing the difference can have a big impact on the welfare of your own dog, and the animals around them.
Save this and tag a fellow herding dog owners 🐾
Full breakdown linked in bio 🐑
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