SHEEP DOG TRIALS

Shannon News, 31 December 1928, Page 4

SHEEP DOG TRIALS

\ - POPULAR IN SCOTLAND. “BLUE RIBAND OF THE HEATHER," The Public interest in sheep dog trials is steadily increasing in 'Scotland; and the number of trials held all over the country in the' course of the season grows, every year. The pick of the dogs ip the local competitions meet in a groat international contest, the winning collie being awarded “The Blue Riband of the Heather."

The Scottish national trials, which were held at Amisficld Park recently, were taken part in by 31 dogs. There were classes hired shepherds' dogs and farmers' dogs and valuable prizes -were offered. Twelve of the winning dogs were selected to represent Scotland at the International Trials at Llandudno. A period of 25 minutes was allotted to each dog in which to complete its course. Each dog had the same course. First it had to “gather" five sheep 400 yards away, not visible to the dog. Having brought his charges safely to his master the dog has next to drive the sheep off on a triangular course, through tw 7 o hurdles 1000 yards away on the left, straight across the course between two more' hurdles and back to his master. . The sheep have to be wrought into a ring 20 yards in dia meter, marked off with sawdust, where the shepherd and his dog combine in ‘ ‘ shedding ’ ’ or two sheep from the others. Neither the shepherd nor his dog must at any time touch the sheep. • The most-difficult part of the: trial is usually considered to be the driving >f the sheep into a pen which is' only ,ix feet wide. The last test of all is Hie separat.on of one marked sheep rum the others. By r careful ami .•atient maneuvering the marked sheep is worked into a position in the flank, nd it is then that the dog dashes in md separates; it -'from. its fellows. This test is perhaps the most interesting of all, for the dog has to hold the sheep until the judge gives the word to let it go. ' . - i