Herding Trial

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The Herding Trial or Sheepdog Trial ( English herding test or shepherd dog test ) is a test for paddock dogs in the English style and differs in terms of the task from the performance herding customary in Germany .

Performance classes

There are three performance classes:

Class 1: Beginners
Class 2: advanced
Class 3: Open class

Usually small groups of three to five sheep are used.

procedure

Basics

The course must be completed within a set time (e.g. 10 minutes).
If the dog has difficulties with a task, this task can be interrupted by the handler (dog handler) in order not to lose too much time, and it is assessed as not having been completed.
The handler is not allowed to move away from the starting post. He gives the dog commands via audio and visual signals.
The sheep must not be touched by the handler at any time.
The dog is expected to work largely independently. If the handler gives commands that are too detailed (overcommanding) , this leads to devaluation.
At the beginning the dog has to be calmly at the handler at the starting post, he may only start running on command.

tasks

Not all of the following tasks have to occur on a course, which can be varied depending on the terrain.

Outrun: The dog runs from the starting post in an arc behind the group of sheep, which, depending on the performance class, is at a distance of 80 m, 120 m, 360 m or even more. The arch should be pear-shaped (first straight at an angle, then curved more and more).

lift: The dog makes contact with the sheep and sets them in motion. This should be done at an appropriate pace so that the sheep set off in the right direction at a moderate pace (walk or light trot). The sheep should not be frightened.

Fetch: The dog drives the sheep in a straight line through the fetch gate (drive gate with a 6.30 meter passage width) towards the handler and then as close as possible around the handler or starting post.

Drive: From the starting post, the dog drives the sheep in as straight a line as possible to the first drive gate (drive gate, also 6.30 meters wide) and through this gate. Immediately after passing this gate, the dog changes the driving direction in order to head for a second driving gate. After the second drive gate , it takes the sheep to the next task by the shortest route.

Border Collie shedding

Shed: In the shedding ring , the dog separates a number of sheep from the group as previously determined by the judge. If the sheep wear markings (e.g. collars), it can be required that only these are allowed to be in the separated group. For this task, the handler is allowed to leave the post and work with the dog. The sheep are not allowed to leave the marked circle (diameter 36 meters) during shedding . The dog must show that he has the separated group under control in order for the task to be considered completed.

Play media file

Penning at the Sheepdog Trial at a village festival

Pen: The handler leaves the starting post and opens the gate of the pen (pen, size 2.40 × 2.70 meters) into which the dog has to drive the group of sheep. The handler may move within the radius of a 1.80 m long rope attached to the end of the gate in order to prevent the sheep on his side from breaking out to the side, but he may not let go of the rope or touch the sheep. The task is considered completed as soon as the gate behind the sheep has been closed by the handler.

single: The sheep are returned to the shedding ring. There, a single sheep must be separated from the group according to the same rules as with the Shed.

Web links

What is a Sheepdog Trial?