In a message dated 8/3/98 6:07:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Thanks for the info on beardies.  I will pass it on.  I take it that
 beardies are a single purpose breed--sort of like most modern BC? >>

It does seem that in many instances they were more of a specialist, hunting
out sheep in the hills, although no doubt they could also serve as watch dogs,
etc., and they were used for other herding tasks such as cattle droving; some
would have been more versatile than others.  And as mentioned, the modern
Beardies descend from a very small group of dogs. which, like most of the
other herding breeds, haven't really been selected for herding behaviors for
quite some time.  So, also as with the other herding breeds, it can happen
that a dog may have a certain amount of basic herding ability but, for
instance, be difficult to train to be a useful herding dog because of some
other characteristic -- unwillingness to take direction, overexcitability,
timidity, lack of soundness, etc.  Usefulness as a herding dog involves more
than just the basic herding instinct, although of course that must be there.

Beardies do tend to show very strong gathering behavior, with notable circling
behavior.

Linda R.
Pacifica, CA