The Beginning of Sheep Dog Trials
In 1873,
the first recorded sheepdog trial took place near the town of Bala
in North Wales. Here a challenge was made between the owner
of the estate near Bala and a Scottish landowner, both of which
felt their respective shepherds, had the wisest of Border Collies in Britain. The
Scottish shepherd traveled to the trial field at Bala with his
dog, competed on this historic field, and then returned
victorious to Scotland, the champion of all Border Collies. That
was the start of the sheepdog trials, as we know them today.
In the early 1900's the International Sheepdog Society, the
ISDS, started up as the official registry of the Border
Collie.
The ISDS remains the most formidable registry, but other
countries have also developed their own associations. In North
America, the American Border Collie Association has become the most
favored of registries and is a main sponsor for the National finals
competitions, organized by the United States Border Collie Handlers
Association. The USBCHA organizes most of the trials and major
competitions, both for sheepdogs and also cattledogs, throughout the
States and Canada. Sheepdog Competitions and the Top Border
Collies.
(Border
Collie training information)
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