HERDING / STOCK TRIALS

To simulate the work that dogs do on a farm or ranch, competitions called “stock dog trials” (or “herding trials”), were developed . Ever since the first sheepdog trial was held in Wales in 1873, they have proven to be popular events for participants and spectators. Herding trials allow dogs to demonstrate the inherent working traits for which they were bred.

There are four major organizations that hold or sanction these types of events in the United States. They are all designed to test the dog’s ability to control livestock under the command of a handler, but they differ in the type of work the dog is being asked to accomplish. In every organization the goal is to move the livestock efficiently around the designated course in a manner that puts the least stress on the stock.

Sprite displays the stalking position and steady stare of the Border Collie's herding style.

The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), the American Herding Breed Association (AHBA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) encourage all herding breeds to participate in their trials. The courses are designed on a smaller scale to encompass the range of both Border Collies and upright working dogs. Border Collies are unique in their herding style in that they move in a crouched (stalking) position and use a steady stare of their eyes to influence the movement of the livestock. This is referred to as “eye”. This characteristic allows a Border Collie to work farther from the stock than other breeds.

All other herding breeds are referred to as upright or loose-eyed dogs, even though some individuals in other breeds will show some degree of “eye” and a crouched style. The upright dogs tend to prefer to work closer to the stock. ASCA and AHBA also have ranch dog programs, where the course is custom-made for the trial site utilizing existing structures such as pens and gates. The goal is to make the work as realistic as possible, in order to judge a dog’s true usefulness as a ranch hand.

In these trials the dogs can work a variety of livestock; the most common are sheep, cattle and ducks. Different skills are required for a dog to be able to work such diverse animals. Sheep are generally highly reactive animals and have the tendency to flee if pressured. Cattle can be stubborn and must often be persuaded to move in the desired direction. Ducks will react to the slightest movement from a dog or person, and require a good deal of finesse to negotiate correctly.

Bonus herds in an upright position, which is typical for an Aussie.

Titles are earned as the dog and handler progress through the trial programs. The level of difficulty increases for each title by restricting the handler’s movements and placing more emphasis on the work the dog is doing on its own. In the “beginner” or “started” levels, the dog will fetch the livestock to the handler, which is a natural thing for a herding dog to do. As the team advances, the dog must be able to drive the livestock away from the handler. When driving, the dog must position itself behind the stock and apply enough pressure to make the group move away in a straight line until the handler gives a flanking command for a change of direction.

Ace demonstrates the fitness required to herd ducks, which can be flighty and reactive.

At the highest level of competition, some courses require a shed. A shed is the term used to describe splitting the livestock into two smaller groups. In a farm situation, a shed may be used to separate a sick animal from the rest of the flock for care. Shedding can be difficult to teach some dogs because they have a strong desire to keep the stock together. After the group is divided, the dog must demonstrate control of the shed individuals and not allow them to rejoin the group.

Ace drives sheep to the Y chute at the USASA Nationals.

In order to be a herding champion through ASCA, a dog must earn advanced titles in all three types of stock. An AHBA herding champion must earn an advanced title and ten additional qualifying scores in advanced classes with scores above 80% of the available points. The AKC awards the Herding Champion title to dogs that earn advanced titles and then earn fifteen points by winning and placing in classes based on the number of dogs defeated. Paws Zone has the honor of claiming three herding champions: Floyd (AHBA and AKC), Bonus (AKC) and Ace (AKC).

The United States Border Collie Handler’s Association hosts open trials which are designed to showcase the talents of the Border Collie. These trials are held in large open fields with variable terrain depending on the nature of the countryside. The majority of USBCHA trials in the Midwest are sheep trials, but USBCHA also sanctions cattle trials. The most common classes offered are novice, pro-novice, nursery and open.

At the entry level or novice classes, the sheep are positioned 100-150 yards from the dog and handler. The dog will be sent on an outrun to gather the sheep and fetch them back to the handler who must stay in place at the designated post. The sheep are then penned in a free-standing pen while the handler controls the gate.

As the level of difficulty progresses in these trials, the sheep are placed farther away, requiring longer outruns. The drive is also added and lengthened. The highest-level classes require a shed, with colored collars to distinguish individual sheep to be shed. Sometimes two different sets of sheep are placed on the field so that the dogs must complete two outruns before joining the two groups together to finish the course.

USBCHA trials do not offer titles, but winning or placing at local trials will qualify teams to compete at the National finals. Most classes above the Novice level will also have monetary prizes as well as the prestige of winning.

Floyd skillfully dirves the sheep between the panels en route to winning an AHBA trial.

Herding or stock dog trials will continue to be an important method of evaluating breeding stock for both Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. This is the work for which these dogs were originally developed, and it is vital that the genetic essence of these breeds should remain intact.