2026 PWCCSC Herding Instinct Test Recap

Photography by Czarina Ellingson

On a cloudy May morning in Chino, CA, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Southern California hosted its 2026 Herding Instinct Test.

38 Pembrokes and 1 lone Cardigan Welsh Corgi each entered the ring and faced three sheep. Out of all the entries, 29 corgis passed – an impressive 74% pass rate that would make any Welsh drover proud. Special shoutout to Ginny (owned by Barbara Mah) and Huffle (owned by Czarina Ellingson) who at nearly 9 years old were the two oldest dogs entered. Both passed with flying colors.

The sheep were unavailable for comment. 🐑

What Is a Herding Instinct Test?

A herding instinct test (HIT) is a structured evaluation to find out whether your dog has the natural drive to work livestock. There is no experience required for you or your dog.

The setup is simple: there are three sheep in an enclosed area. The evaluator watches the dog for any natural herding behavior. Does your dog acknowledge the sheep, try to move them, flank and apply pressure? For some dogs, this instinct kicks in right away when they are introduced to livestock. For others, it may take a couple of tries. So if your corgi didn’t pass this time, don’t give up on them just yet!

The Field Report

Some corgis worked very close to the sheep, some stayed a good distance away. Some barked nonstop, some worked in total focused silence. A few took mid-run bathroom breaks with zero shame, and more than a few discovered that the ring came generously stocked with a delicious rare “delicacy,” aka sheep poop. Hey, we're not here to shepherd anyone's lifestyle choices. But most importantly, everyone had a great time.

Thank you to the evaluators of Diamond Dogs K9 Events, the club volunteers, and all the awesome corgi owners who came out to let their dogs do what they originally bred to do!

If Your Corgi Passed the Test

If your corgi shows aptitude, herding is worth pursuing. The AKC offers a full titling program, and there are multiple venues (including Diamond Dogs K9 Events) in California offering lessons.