Herding
There is no other breed of dog that is able to gather and move livestock as efficiently as a Border Collie. Other breeds specialize in different types of herding, for example, Australian Shepherds are very useful when working close in stockyards and arenas, but the Border Collie is the all around hands down herding expert. The Border Collie was originally bred to work all day, every day, covering miles and miles of hilly terrain, often working independently at great distance from the handler who usually uses whistles to command the dog. It is these very characteristics that make the Border Collie well suited for other venues such as agility, obedience and search and rescue. They are often by nature workaholics and it is this very nature that pushes so many of them into rescue. A cute energizer bunny puppy isn't too difficult for most people to put up with, but once the puppy reaches young adulthood, his driven nature, especially if he wasn't taught boundaries and manners early on, can become impossible to live with.You see the wolf in the dog when you watch a well-trained Border Collie work a flock of sheep. Many will work in crouch position (some work upright), tail low, eyes intensely staring at the sheep. You can almost see the wolf sizing up the herd, looking for any sign of weakness to capitalize on. The act of herding is prey drive under control, without (hopefully) the final kill.
If you are competitive and wish to train your Border Collie to compete in herding events, there are several different venues to explore. The United States Border Collie Handlers Association ("USBCHA") sponsors events where you usually only see Border Collies competing. American Kennel Club ("AKC"), American Herding Breed Association ("AHBA") and the Australian Shepherd Club ("ASCA") also sponsor herding trials. I cannot stress enough the importance in finding a good instructor. Look for an individual who is competing and winning in the venue of your choice. There are lots of people offering herding lessons who are not qualified to teach. I drive three hours one way to get to a competent instructor.