The Border Collie uses a direct stare at sheep, known as "the eye", to intimidate while herding at a trial.
A sheepdog trial – also herding event, stock dog trial or simply dog trial — is a competition or test of the working abilities of dogs of herding breeds. It is a type of dog sport that emerged in the 1860s in New Zealand. By the 1870s regular trials were also being held in Australia and in the United Kingdom, and by the end of the twentieth century the sport had spread to many countries of the world. In competition, dogs demonstrate basic herding management skills assessed by the judge. These events are organised by international and national cynological and sports organisations and by associations of sheep- and cattle-breeders. Usually sheep are to be herded; other animals including ducks or cows may also be used.[1]
Competitions are divided into several levels of difficulty and may use various scoring systems. Rules vary concerning eligible breeds, numbers of dogs and which breeds of sheep are to be used. Most often, the competition programme includes guiding the sheep through several obstacles, collecting them in and out of the pen, separating the sheep from the flock, etc. The judge is evaluating the accuracy of the dog's work under the guidance of a handler.[2][3][4]
^Mehus-Roe, Kristin (2009-01-21). Canine Sports & Games: Great Ways to Get Your Dog Fit and Have Fun Together!. Storey Publishing. pp. 160–167. ISBN 978-1-60342-645-9.
^Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Sheepdog trials". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
^Hancock, David (2014-08-31). Dogs of the Shepherds: A Review of the Pastoral Breeds. Crowood. ISBN 978-1-84797-809-7.
^"Forget Football — It's Sheepdog Trial Season in Northern California". KQED. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
A sheepdogtrial – also herding event, stock dog trial or simply dog trial — is a competition or test of the working abilities of dogs of herding breeds...
sheep-herding dog or as a companion animal. It competes with success in sheepdogtrials. It has been claimed that it is the most intelligent breed of dog....
A sheepdogtrial with a specific class for huntaways was advertised in the Upper Waitaki in 1870. "Wanted" advertisements for "huntaway sheepdogs" were...
A sheep dog or sheepdog is generally a dog or breed of dogs historically used in connection with the raising of sheep. These include livestock guardian...
The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog that originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. It was formally recognized...
the years it has grown to be international. An annual international sheepdogtrial, has been held every year since 1906, with breaks only for the two World...
The Old English Sheepdog is a large breed of dog that emerged in England from early types of herding dog. Obsolete names for the breed include Shepherd's...
The Welsh Sheepdog (Welsh: Ci Defaid Cymreig, pronounced [kiː ˈdɛvaɪd kəmˈrɛɨɡ]) is a breed of herding dog of medium size from Wales. Like other types...
are referred to as sheepdogtrials or cowdog trials. Australian Shepherd Club of America trials are referred to as stockdog trials. Competitions sponsored...
combined skill of man and herding dog is tested and judged in a "trial", such as a sheepdogtrial. Animals such as sheep, camel, yak, and goats are mostly reared...
Catalan Sheepdog (Catalan: Gos d'atura català, French: Berger Catalan, Spanish: Pastor catalán) is a breed of Catalan Pyrenean dog used as a sheepdog. This...
chronicles Toss's development from a puppy to a winner of the annual sheepdogtrials. It is set in the framework of a Welsh shepherd's calendar, and follows...
The Australian Kelpie, or simply Kelpie, is an Australian sheepdog capable of mustering and droving with little or no guidance. It is a medium-sized dog...
Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship and Festival, held on Labor Day weekend each year. Called the "world's foremost sheepdogtrial" with some 28,000...
competitions (sheepdogtrials) that are held by regional clubs during the year and maintaining the stud book to manage the registration of sheepdogs in South...
Txakurra, Spanish: Perro de Pastor Vasco, is a traditional Spanish breed of sheepdog originating in the historic Basque Country.: 535 It is believed that they...
The Croatian Sheepdog is a dog breed from Croatia. The Croatian sheepdog is of low to medium height and the base color is always black, although there...
addition to herding work they are well suited to active sports such as sheepdogtrials, flyball, disc dog and dog agility. Working strains have strong herding...
original traits. While it is not known if Hemp participated in any sheepdogtrials, a dog from Telfer's own breeding stock, Sweep (a grandson of Hemp)...
grazing lambs to insecticides for insect control in winter alfalfa. In this trial, lambs provided insect control as effectively as insecticides. Sheep are...
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog (Polish: Polski Owczarek Nizinny, also PON), is a medium-sized, shaggy-coated, sheep dog breed native to Poland. The PON is...
skill competitions". Sheepdogtrials in the Basque Country are very similar to those held in other countries and involves a sheepdog having to herd a flock...
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