UC ANR Hopland REC Annual Sheepdog Trials this weekend

This Friday through Monday, Nov. 8-11 will be the annual Sheepdog Trials, beginning each day at 10 a.m. at the UC Hopland Field Station, 4070 University Rd., in Hopland. Turn right at University Road and continue for 1.8 miles to driveway on right. Turn at driveway to barn for parking.

What is a Sheepdog Trial?

Events vary with different courses throughout the world, but the key element at any event is the control of three to six sheep by one or two highly trained dogs under the control of a single handler.

Both time and obedience play a part, as competitors are penalized if a sheep strays from the prescribed course. This is more difficult than it sounds and takes much training for both handler and dog.

The exact layout of the trial field can vary significantly. Most experienced handlers agree that there are certain elements that are important to ensure that the challenge to the dog and handler is a fair and complete? test. These elements include:

? The dog must leave the handler and fetch sheep that are some distance away;

? The dog must take control of the sheep and bring them to the handler;

? It is against the dog's instinct to drive the sheep away from the handler so an? away drive? is a good test and should be included;


Other popular test elements that are often added include:

? The dog must separate the group into two groups in a controlled way in accordance with the instructions from the judge. This is known as shedding.


In most competitions the dog will be required to do the fetching and driving tests on their own. During these test elements the handler must remain at a stake positioned during the layout of the trial course. During the shedding and penning the handler usually leaves the stake and works with the dog to achieve the task.


The most popular scoring system works as follows:

? A judge watches each run and assigns a score based on their judgment.

? Each test element is assigned a maximum score. For example there may be 10 points for the cast (outrun) and so on.

? Each competitor is assigned the full amount for each element before they start.

? As they negotiate each test element a judge deducts points for each fault. For example during a drive the judge may deduct points when the sheep move off line. During each element they can only lose as many points as are assigned to that element.

? They must negotiate each element in sequence before proceeding to the next.

? A set amount of time for the whole course is decided on before the start of the trial.

? There is no advantage in completing the course in a short amount of time but if the competitor runs out of time then they will lose all the points for the element they were in the process of completing and all those that they have yet to attempt.

? The competitor's score is the sum of their score for all completed elements.

For most elements the judge focuses on the behavior of the sheep not the dog or handler. Dogs are judged on the efficiency of their work and on qualities of good stockmanship. A dog that needlessly harasses or hurries the sheep will penalized and a dog that bites a sheep may be disqualified.

Information courtesy of the UC Hopland Field Station web site.