Many different organizations have been formed that offer stock dog trials. The idea behind the trials is to test the ability of a dog to handle livestock in a quiet, controller manner through a course set up to resemble something like what they might do in an everyday working situation. Trials also help us evaluate the natural instincts and abilities our dogs have, help us see where we need to improve on our handling and training skills and provide us with a venue to enjoy some friendly competition between ourselves and other dog/handler teams. Most local clubs offering trials welcome new faces, no matter what level of experience you have, even if you’ve never handled a working dog before! Our Alberta working club (Working Australian Shepherd Club of Alberta) also offers training clinics before our trials each July. For more information please contact Jeni Gallichan at aussies@mikatura.com

Australian Shepherd Club of America:

ASCA trials are very popular. Most are arena trials and have separate titles offered for each type of stock (cattle, sheep and ducks). All levels require two qualifying scores under two different judges. ASCA has a long list of ‘recognized’ herding breeds that are eligible for titles.

ASCA Rules & Regulations

Trial Program Titles: (small initials after title indicate type of stock – d = ducks, s = sheep, c = cattle):

Standard Courses:

Beginning Level -- STD -- Started Trial Dog (consist of two fence line obstacles)
Intermediate Level -- OTD -- Open Trial Dog (adds in a centre chute or a pen, and a handlers line)
Advanced Level -- ATD -- Advanced Trial Dog (same course as intermediate but includes a more restrictive handlers line)

Championship:

WTCh. -- Working Trial Championship (dog has attained ATD on all three classes of stock)

Post-advanced Course:

PATD -- Post-Advanced Trial Dog

Ranch Course:

RTD -- Ranch Trial Dog (special course set up in open fields)

Ranch Dog Inspection:

RD -- Ranch Dog (noncompetitive observation in daily working situation)

American Herding Breeds Association:

AHBA program offers several different types of trials also with three trial levels, and two test levels for beginners. The test levels allow for the tester to handle the dog during the first leg of their title and the beginning handler/owner should handle his/her own dog for the second leg. The HTD level is usually held in an open field, however, can also be held in an arena. HRD levels will include different things like sorting chutes, trailers, bridges, or anything else you may run into working at a ranch/farm. All levels require two qualifying scores under two judges, and dogs do not have to be registered to enter and earn titles.

AHBA Rules & Regulations

Trial Program Titles: (small initials after title indicate type of stock):

Standard Course:

Beginning Level -- HTD I -- Herding Trial Dog I
Intermediate Level -- HTD II -- Herding Trial Dog II
Advanced Level --HTD III -- Herding Trial Dog III

Ranch Courses:

Beginning Level -- HRD I -- Herding Ranch Dog I
Intermediate Level -- HRD II -- Herding Ranch Dog II
Advanced Level -- HRD III -- Herding Ranch Dog III

Championship:

HTCh. -- Herding Trial Champion

Test Program:

First Level -- HCT -- Herding Capability Tested
Second Level -- JHD -- Junior Herding dog

Canadian Kennel Club:

CKC have been offering herding trials since 1999. These are arena type trials offering courses using sheep and/or ducks. The stock type is not recognized in the title earned. Trials are open to all breeds, but the dogs entering must be CKC registered dogs, or have an ERN (event registration number). Herding Tested consists of 3 obstacles along fence lines, and the handler is allowed to walk through the obstacles with the Judge standing in the arena, if they choose, to support the handler. Herding Started is the next level. HS adds a free standing obstacle, and does not allow the handler to walk through the fence line obstacles. Herding Intermediate adds in an outrun, lift & fetch and a walking drive, and does not allow the handler to walk through any of the obstacles. Herding Advanced includes a handlers line, a longer outrun, and the dog must do most of the work without handler assistance. All levels require three qualifying scores under two different judges, with the exception of the Herding Tested level, which only requires two passing scores.

CKC Rules & Regulations

Trial Program Titles:

Beginning Level -- HS -- Herding Started
Intermediate Level -- HI -- Herding Intermediate
Advanced Level -- HX -- Herding Excellent

Test Program:

HJ -- Herding Junior

American Kennel Club:

AKC offers different kinds of trials as well. Offered on behalf of AKC are arena trials, open field trials, boundary work trials, as well as test levels for boundary & arena trials. All trials/test levels can be offered working sheep, cattle or ducks. Two test levels are offered and both have the judge in the arena with the handler to encourage the handler to make decisions that help them to qualify on the course. The test levels require two passing scores under two judges, while the trial levels require three qualifying scores under three judges. Dogs must be AKC registered, or have an ILP number in order to participate in these trials.

For Rules and Regulations, check out the AKC Performance events web page and scroll down to find the 'Herding' Section:

AKC Performance Events

Trial Program Titles:

All Courses:

Beginning Level -- HS -- Herding Started
Intermediate Level -- HI -- Herding Intermediate
Advanced Level -- HX -- Herding Excellent

Championship

HCh. or HC -- Herding Champion

Test Program

First Level -- HT -- Herding Tested
Second Level -- PT -- Pre-trial Tested

International Stock Dog Society:

ISDS trials are commonly known as open field trials. Border collies are frequently seen competing in these trials, however, other breeds do and may compete. They require a minimum 75 yard outrun at the Novice/Novice level which is the beginning point for trialers. Novice/Novice refers to novice dog & novice handler. The next level is Pro-Novice which means one of the dog or the handler is a pro, while the other is a novice. The highest level is Open. This level requires a very long outrun - 800 yard drives are not uncommon - a drive, cross drive, shed, pen, and a single. These trials are usually run for prize money & no titles are offered. Any dog may enter.

This is where you find all the rules and regulations governing BCSDA trials, which are part of ISDS:

British Columbia Stock Dog Association

HERDING INSTINCT CERTIFICATION TITLES:

Some breed clubs issue herding instinct certification titles for dogs which pass a simple herding instinct test:

HC or HIC -- Herding Instinct Certified