| Sheepdogs usually are dogs that are descended from | | | | livestock into a particular location. Every move is also |
| a long bloodline of dogs who are instinctive at the | | | | calculated to avoid startling the sheep. |
| herding of livestock. Often these dogs are such | | | | Most sheepdog trials will use three to six sheep which |
| breeds as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Collies, | | | | will be released into a large enclosed paddock area. |
| Shetland Sheepdogs and the like. By far the most | | | | Observers may remain outside of the paddock during |
| common breed to participate in this activity is the | | | | the competition and often there may be more than a |
| Border Collie. | | | | hundred, for the sheepdog trials are quite popular |
| The Border Collie works in a distinct fashion. He will | | | | spectator events. The released sheep will mill about |
| fix the livestock with an unblinking, almost hypnotic | | | | as the herdsman comes in to the arena with his dog. |
| stare, while his movements will be closely coordinated | | | | When the trial commences, it is the job of the dog, |
| and equally as hypnotic in nature. He can move with | | | | with the occasional direction of the herdsman, to |
| lightning speed when necessary but usually he will | | | | direct all of the sheep through or around several |
| make his moves in a low crouching movement so as | | | | gates and into a final small paddock area, which will |
| to avoid startling the sheep un-necessarily. He will | | | | then be closed by the herdsman. Usually the event is |
| crouch low, halt, crawl and move forward on | | | | scored not only on the time that it takes but on the |
| command. Sometimes he will inch forwards or | | | | appropriateness of the signals which are relayed to |
| sideways only a bit at a time, dropping to the ground | | | | the dog and his response to those signals. |
| and stopping for long periods. His movements can | | | | Sheepdog trials are one of the most popular events |
| also be lightning fast turns and dashes towards the | | | | at State and County fairs across the Midwest. Also |
| livestock. He will also move directionally according to | | | | they are almost always to be found at Specialty |
| the wishes of the herdsman. More often than not, his | | | | Shows of the various herding dog breeds. |
| moves are done without direction of any sort from | | | | Many of these shows also hold what is known as a |
| the herdsman since he usually has been trained from | | | | "herding test", which can be quite entertaining to |
| the beginning to herd the animals on his own. | | | | watch. The herding test is usually an event in which |
| All of the herding skill being brought into play is either | | | | ducks or geese are used as the livestock. The dog |
| because of his instinctive ability to work the livestock | | | | must attempt to herd these birds without direction |
| or because he has been so directed by the | | | | from his owner or handler into an enclosed area. It is |
| herdsman. The herdsman directs the dog with hand | | | | surprising the number of dogs of herding lineage who |
| signals, low whistles or almost indistinct quiet | | | | are able to complete a herding test with flying colors, |
| commands. All this direction of the dog must be quite | | | | without any sort of direction. It is a testament to the |
| calm and performed without startling or sending the | | | | purity of the bloodline and instinctive ability of the |
| sheep into a stampede. Every move on the part of | | | | dog and successful completion is a coveted reward |
| both the participants, the dog and the herdsman, is | | | | for a breeder of a herding dog. |
| meant to achieve the end result of herding the | | | | |