Herding basics - Millie herding - Herding aptitude test - Herding working test - Herding competition
NHAT Natural Herding Aptitude Test
The NHAT Natural Herding Aptitude Test for herding breeds supposed to decide/prove if the inherited herding instinct is present in the specific dog. In case of some breeds, this is the prerequisite for breeding. (It used to be prerequisite for the HWT Herding Working Test but it's not the case anymore.)
Best is when the dog really sees the sheep for the very first time but it also can happen that the dog 'starts' only for the second to fifth time: it can be tested later as well.
Minimum age of dog: 6 months.
The exam consists of two parts:
1. Sociability
a. Contact with people:
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Check chip
- On leash, go among a group of people
b. Contact with dogs: on leash, go among a group of people with leashed calm dogs
c. Sensitive to noise: reaction to loud, sudden sound (rattling plastic bag or similar noise, no gunshot)
d. Relationship with handler
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Obstacle: without leash, dog goes through an obstacle (low hurdle/ramp)
- Absense of handler: handler walks away about 15 m from leashed dog by helper
- Recall: handler calls dog, helper releases dog, dog runs to handler.
Evaluation of Part 1:
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P - Passed (can continue to Part 2)
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NP - Not passed
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DIS - Disqualified (agression)
2. Herding dog aptitude
a. Approaching the flock:
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Go around the pen on leash
- Go to starting point (about 50 m from pen) and walk towards pen on leash for appr. 10 m, then release dog (withouth commands, the dog should show interest in the flock.)
b. Contact with the flock
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Go into the pen on leash
- Judge decides to unleash dog
c. Interest and initiative: dog shows interest in the flock for min. 2 minutes
Evaluation of Part 2:
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EXC - Excellent (to be registered in the Performance book or equivalent document)
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G -Good (to be registered in the Performance book or equivalent document)
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INS - Insufficient (test can be repeated at another occasion)
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DIS - Disqualified (agression) (test can be repeated after min. 1 year)
Source: FCI Rules for Natural Herding Aptitude Tests "FCI NHAT" (valid since 01/01/2018)