Xena’s Introduction to the

On Saturday, April 10, 2010, David Poynter owner of Diana's Knick Knack Paddy Wack introduced "Xena" at six months of age introduced her to animal stock to test her herding instinct.

Xena did a great job moving the goats around the ring and created a lot of interest with spectators. None of the spectators had ever seen a terrier work stock.

The activity lasted a little under 10 minutes.  Judge Alan Koebke handled Xena on a long lead. He said she showed great herding instinct. If she would have been nine months or older he said she would have passed the Instinct Test.

He recommended that David keep introducing her to different types of stock and she will easily pass her Herding Instinct Test after she is nine months old. (Since Xena was only a six month old dog she was not officially eligible to participate in the AKC Instinct Test.)

"They do not require special training in order to become something useful.

They are praised above all for incorruptible loyalty, watchfulness and attentiveness.

Many develop quite special intelligence in protecting and watching, for example in holding horses, guarding the car, knowing exact property boundaries, protection of children and women.

Driving and searching for lost cattle are more or less innate in all.

The dog needs only opportunity and examples, no special training.

They usually go very well on foot and behind the wagon.

They are, if not spoiled when young, gentle with chickens and cats."

- Dr. H.c. Hans Raeber

Die Schweizer Hunderassen, 1980

Quoting an earlier account of Professor Albert Heim c. 1900