Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
During the late nineteenth century, sheepdog trials became a popular activ-
ity among European shepherds and farmers. The trials in the British Isles
developed quite a bit differently from those in Europe. Most dog trials in the
United States are based on the British model.
While many excellent stock dogs never compete in sheepdog trials, such
trials remain an excellent place to see a variety of dogs at work and to learn
more about the breeds from the handlers and breeders who frequent com-
petitions. A good trial will show off a variety of dogs with different styles of
working and different levels of training.
Most regions of North America have organizations that host competitions.
In addition to Border collie trials, there are now sheepdog trials for other
herding breeds and multibreed trials. Some of the bigger annual trials that are
defi nitely worth the travel are the Bluegrass Classic, held in May in Lexington,
Kentucky; the Meeker Classic, held in Meeker, Colorado, in September; and
the Soldier Hollow Classic, held at Utah's Soldier Hollow Resort on Labor Day
weekend. The National Finals moves around the country each year, with the
top 150 dogs from other sanctioned trials competing for the top recognition.
And if you are really up for a trip, the World Sheepdog Trials are held at dif-
ferent locations every year in the United Kingdom in September.
BRITISH SHEEPDOG TRIALS
Trials in the United States follow the British approach: a series
of dogs are run one after another over a set course of obstacles,
using three to fi ve sheep (or cattle) from the same fl ock (or herd)
to test each dog's abilities against the others. The shepherd com-
mands the dog to do the work while remaining in a distant place.
The shepherd is allowed to assist the dog only for the fi nal penning,
or shedding, as it is called in trials, of the sheep. Continental trials
usually use a larger fl ock of sheep and allow the shepherd and dog
to move the sheep together, using natural features of the terrain to
test each dog's ability to control the movement of the sheep.
