Does every herding dog have the instinct?
Not as a given. The instinct to move stock gets tested, and dogs of the same breed can be very different. Lots of show lines have lost it almost completely.
Herding and livestock
Sheepdog Trials
It's the oldest dog competition in the world, and it has barely changed in over a century. The dog gathers the sheep from the far end of the field, drives them round a course and pens them, with the handler directing it by whistle.
About the discipline
What Sheepdog Trials are
Sheepdog trials started in Britain in the nineteenth century, when farmers wanted to see whose dogs were best. The layout of the trial has stayed close to the same ever since.
The dog leaves the handler's side and runs out in a wide arc to the far end of the field, to get behind the sheep. It gathers them up and brings them to the handler. Next comes driving them through gates, and finally penning them.
The handler talks to the dog by whistle and voice, from hundreds of metres away. There's no more striking example of distance work anywhere in the dog world.
How it works in practice
The phases of a classic trial
- outrun: the dog runs out wide until it's behind the sheep
- lift: it takes charge of the flock, calmly
- fetch: it brings the sheep straight to the handler
- drive: it moves the flock through gates
- shed: it splits a few sheep off from the rest
- pen: it puts the sheep into the pen
- everything directed by whistle, from a distance
Which dogs it suits
- mostly border collies
- herding breeds with a strong instinct to move stock
- handlers who have access to livestock and a farm
You can't do it without regular access to sheep and someone experienced to guide you. It belongs to farming life.
What you need
- access to a flock and to ground
- a shepherd's crook, used as an extension of your arm
- a solid grasp of the traditional whistle commands
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Sheepdog Trials
Why whistles?
A whistle carries clearly over hundreds of metres, much better than your voice. And each command has its own sound, so the dog is unlikely to mix them up.
Can I start without a farm?
It's very hard. Some farms run introductory clinics, but to train consistently you need regular access to livestock.
The rule figures on this page come from ISDS - International Sheep Dog Society. Rules change and federations differ - always check the rulebook of the competition you are entering.
From the same category
Related sports
Herding Trials
Trials where the dog keeps a flock or herd under control.
Cattle Dog Trials
The dog drives cattle, animals weighing hundreds of kilos.
Duck Herding
The dog steers a small group of ducks through obstacles.
We do not run Sheepdog Trials
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.