Introduction
This evening, I am reporting on Sheep Dog Trials-Scotland. These Scottish National Sheep Dog Trials were held at Strathaven in Lanarkshire, south of Glasgow.
Sheep Dog Trials in process
Information on the Sheep Dog Trials event.
Handlers and dogs in this post are: J.B. Ramsay with Rib, D. Wallace with Rob and N McEachern with Ann.
Handler and dog
Trials in process.
Trials in process
Here is some summary information on Sheep Dog Trials:
- Incepted over 100 years in Europe with aim of assessing everyday tasks involved in managing flocks of sheep.
- Training a dog to the highest standard can take many years. The higher the standard of training the easier to manage flocks of sheep with minimum stress.
- Dogs are commanded by a mix of whistle or voice, predominantly the former.
- Whilst dogs enjoy trialling, sheep can suffer stress and hence are used a maximum of twice with breaks.
- Sheep dog trials are subject to standard rules established by the International Sheep Dog Society.
- The trials take place over a standard course entailing:
- Gathering the flock from a distance of up to 1000 yards.
- Driving the sheep through two sets of gates and then to a shedding ring.
- Shedding of two unmarked sheep within the ring.
- Penning on completion of the shedding exercise.
- Points are awarded by a judge for each discrete task.
Here is a selection of video clips:
More Information
For more information on Scotland please refer Visitors Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This publication is also available via Kindle.