Judges' Biographies
Sean Hathaway — Herding
Team-work. It is the basis of our life. Sean and Sharol work as a team in life in every way. Our experiences are tied and cannot be separated into a clear individual accomplishment, particularly in the world of Herding Training.
We got our first Belgian Tervuren, Timber (DC HR Timberline Charswirl’s Ace), in 1989. He was originally intended to be JUST an obedience and conformation dog and we started him in those areas. But his breeder was into the herding so we thought we’d give it a try. After a couple lessons we were hooked.
We did this for about a year and a half. Our trainer didn’t believe in course training so when Sharol first set foot on a trial field she had no idea what to do. It was the 1991 National Specialty in Pennsylvania.
Also in 1991 we bought our own sheep. Our original five sheep grew into what is now a flock of 72 sheep and 60 ducks. And gradually, we started to figure it out. We went to some clinics but, of course, we learned the people usually giving them really had no idea about how to train a Terv. Many of them knew herding but the “just let them work” philosophy was very strong out there at that time.
So we have developed a method of training over the years that is successful for many upstanding breeds. Our first love is the Belgian Tervuren, followed by the rest of the Belgian family, then moving on to the other workers in the herding world.
We have taken HIT and/or RHIT at numerous ABTC Nationals and all breed Trials with Tervs and other breeds. We have co-handled several different breeds to advanced levels in AKC and AHBA. We have co-handled A Malinois and a Border Collie to AKC HC level. Our Dogs have made #1 Herding dog, and our Dogs are usually in the top 10 with limited showing. One of dogs at this time would have an HC 6 if AKC allowed for such a thing.
We believe that great herding teams DO require a balance of power in the dog-handler relationship. If you do not have that working relationship with your dog, there is nothing that ANY clinician can ever change your final ability level. Realizing your team’s limitations will be the best thing that you can do overall.
Our basic Philosophy: Whatever you do, be happy with your dog and enjoy them for whatever they can give you in the short time you have together! HAPPY HERDING!