The first time Buzz saw the sheep, it was like taking a kid to the amusement park: he could not believe to his eyes.
He immediately showed a natural attitude we never suspected. He runs all around the sheep, with a preference to work on many subjects instead of only 4 or 5. After a while, when the first “energy boost” is gone, he well balances the leader.
Buzz cannot stand to be challenged, so if a sheep comes out and fronts him not to obey, he sends her immediately back with decision barking loudly at one centimetre from her eyes: quite convincing every time…
He gets quickly back any splitting sheep and does not hesitate to slip between the sheep and the net when they are blocked in a corner.
I love to report a comment I heard from a well known sheepdog expert, Laura Piperno, who was incidentally present the first time Buzz met the sheep. She, who usually works incredibly well with her top border collies, looked with interest that aussie while gaining in a few minutes the sheep respect. Then, when we got out from the field and passed by, she told me “I like that dog: you can see him thinking”. I have no credit for this, clearly, but nevertheless it was a great moment.
Also with cows, Buzz does not give up. Always interested while meeting cows, he can even be convinced to pass by without working them until a cow decides she does not stand the way he stares at her and walks towards him with the head down. Is the challenge Buzz is not able to ignore he fronts the cow with decision, barking furiously and charging it until the cow turns around and gets back where she came from.
I’d love to have an official certificate on cattle, the same we have for sheep. That’s why, before Buzz was 2 yrs old (time limit to obtain official CANT), I put gentle pressure on the Italian Club I used to be member of, to let them organize a test on cattle. Apart from a single one, organized during summer holidays (my family would not understand to quit their holidays for a CANT…) in a faraway valley, time passed by without results.
