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[–] 40 points 1 day ago (3 children)

They come with it, but it's not very refined without training. They actually need a lot of training to not herd people, especially children. Since humans don't respond the same way as sheep the dog will keep escalating its herding behavior until it bites the human.

I heard an anecdote once of a couple that was camping in a dispersed area with their border collie and the dog ran away. They called and searched and were basically resigned to the loss of their dog, when at dusk they heard a huge commotion. Suddenly their dog drove an entire herd of elk through the campsite.

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  • [–] 27 points 1 day ago

    My parents had a similar experience while hiking in the UK - the dog disappeared around a bend ahead of them and then returned herding some sheep she had found. She had never seen a sheep before, but she sure as hell knew what she was meant to do with them.

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  • [+] -9 points 1 day ago

    bites

    I mean, it's just the front teeth, not even the canines. It's not really "biting".

    But heaven forbid our Aussie motivates some child who gets too close, little Sheiydeigne gets surprised - which for this cohort and its aversion to experience means whooping tears - and puppy will be ordered destroyed. Fuck no, Tiffeineigh, you keep your grubby grabby crotchfruit to yourself. This ain't a petting zoo; it's a Starbucks and we're out of the way.

    Sorry. Where was I?

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