The purpose of herding trials today is to preserve and promote the inherited herding instinct and to stimulate interest in the natural working ability of the herding breeds. There are several organizations that offer herding trials, and either ducks, sheep or cattle may be used. There may be different levels of training; for instance, in novice classes the handler may accompany the stock throughout the course, while at the higher levels the handler remains in a fixed position until moving to the pen to assist the dog in penning. The higher levels also include “shedding” or separating designated sheep from the group. Specific requirements may vary from trial to trial, as may the name of the class. Titles can be earned from most of the organizations.

The preceding information is from the Herding Organizations and Programs in North America website:

http://www.glassportal.com/herding/programs.html and the organizations listed below.

Further information is available at:

United States Border Collie Handlers’ Association, Inc.

http://www,usbcha.com

Australian Shepherd Club of America, Inc.

http://www.asca.org/Programs/Stockdog/index.htm

American Herding Breed Association

http://www.abha-herding.org/

American Kennel Club

http://www.akc.org/dic/events/perform/index.cfm