the story of a prime sheepdog

One look at Jurie van der Vyver’s sheepdog, Cap, is sufficient to see his sharp intelligence and vigorous persona. On the South African Sheepdog Affiliation’s exhibition at Nampo Cape, he put these traits to work, weaving by obstacles with precision and confidently guiding the sheep into place very quickly.

Van der Vyver downplays the efficiency, however Cap isn’t any odd canine, as he was topped South African Novice Champion on the nationwide championships final November.

Behind this success is a cautious stability of genetics, disciplined coaching, and the correct atmosphere, parts that Van der Vyver believes are important in shaping a top-performing sheepdog.

Cap’s well-known bloodline

Cap is, fairly actually, border collie royalty. His sire, Llangwm Cap, and grandsire, Roy, each received world championships, and their coach, Aled Owen, is the one particular person on the planet to have claimed the title twice.

Cap’s dam, Sissy, is simply as spectacular. At 12 years previous, she continues to be competing in nationwide championships and boasts a string of wins from her youthful years.

Bringing this prized bloodline from Wales to South Africa was no simple feat. Round 2019, Van der Vyver and his good friend, Attie Gunter, every imported a straw of semen from Llangwm Cap, at a value of R50 000 per straw.

“The vet advised us there was solely a 60% likelihood of the semen taking, so [Gunter and I] every imported a straw and agreed to provide one of many offspring to the opposite as a safeguard if the insemination failed,” remembers Van der Vyver.

The method rapidly proved more difficult than anticipated. A South African vet was initially lined as much as gather the semen, however plans fell by when Llangwm Cap fell ailing, forcing a delay.

The pair finally labored by an company, however their first cargo was despatched again to Wales due to COVID-19-related restrictions, as semen was not deemed a necessary import.

When the straws lastly did arrive, the following hurdle was timing. “The bitches needed to be inseminated at precisely the correct time for one of the best likelihood of success. Sissy went into warmth 3 times earlier than we determined to go forward,” explains Van der Vyver.

Every evaluation meant a 600km spherical journey from Riversdale to Cape City.

The insemination process itself practically price Molly, Gunter’s canine, her life on account of problems, however the veterinary workforce managed to save lots of her, and the semen took.

In the long run, Sissy produced 4 wholesome puppies.

Van der Vyver stored Cap, gave one pup, Zara, to Gunter (whose bitch produced seven puppies), and offered the opposite two, Roy and Nan, to skilled handlers.

All of the puppies have since grown into sought-after working canines, cementing the fame of this distinctive bloodline and contributing to the energy of South African sheepdog genetics.

Belief, coaching, and self-discipline

Van der Vyver describes Cap as a very distinctive canine, although he admits he generally wonders if Zara is the higher one: “It’s not possible to know which can excel when they’re pups. A canine could come from extraordinary bloodlines and nonetheless develop into a dud.”

That’s why he stresses that genetics alone received’t make a champion or good herding canine. A sheepdog’s potential within the discipline is formed simply as a lot by the atmosphere and the standard of coaching it receives.

Van der Vyver begins working along with his canines from an early age, first specializing in fundamental obedience and constructing belief earlier than introducing them to sheep. Coaching classes are quick but constant, designed to nurture a canine’s pure instincts with out overwhelming it.

Elevating a canine like Cap requires fixed consideration and persistence. “This isn’t the identical as having a few canines to stroll behind sheep. A prime herding canine should reply immediately to a whistle or command, anticipate sheep actions, and work with precision underneath stress, particularly if you wish to compete in competitions,” he explains.

Classes from overseas

South African farmers are nonetheless lucky to have comparatively inexpensive staff, however Van der Vyver factors out that in international locations like Australia, New Zealand, England, and Eire, expert farmworkers are scarce and intensely costly. In these international locations, extremely educated sheepdogs are indispensable, usually doing the work of a number of folks.

To completely exploit their canines’ potential, many farmers there design dealing with amenities with herding in thoughts: utilizing round or curved pens that work with sheep’s pure motion patterns; slim, V-shaped raceways; and strategically positioned gates to assist handlers and canines transfer sheep rapidly and calmly.

These steps scale back the necessity for farmworkers however the stress on animals, based on Van der Vyver.

Working the canines

He says he can handle lots of his sheep-related duties with simply two canines. When the primary pair tires, particularly on scorching days, he rotates them with one other two to maintain work transferring effectively.

He makes use of English instructions for his canines however notes that giving every canine a singular set of instructions, and even working in a distinct language, could make dealing with simpler. “It helps stop confusion when giving directions to a couple of canine at a time,” he explains.

Competitors efficiency, he provides, can also be unpredictable. Components like temperature, the temperament of the sheep, their willingness to co-operate, and even the distraction of bitches in warmth can all have an effect on a canine’s efficiency on the day.

For Van der Vyver, the unpredictability is a part of the enjoyment. Each trial, each flock, and each canine brings one thing new.

But when Cap crouches low, his eyes locked on the sheep, his physique taut with focus, there’s a quiet understanding between man and canine that no coaching guide can train.

“You possibly can prepare and put together,” Van der Vyver says softly, glancing at Cap, “however on the finish of the day, the canine should wish to work with you. And when it does, there’s nothing fairly prefer it.”