History Of The Sheep Dog Trials
In 1988, Sheep Dog trials were introduced to Grass Creek Park as a special Bicentennial Event for Pittsburgh Township. In 2006, the trials are embarking on their 19th trial in Grass Creek Park. The Kingston trials are the biggest in Canada with close to 100 dogs competing for its coveted title.
The trials bring the country to the city. The Border collie is agriculture's dog and the trials show case the working side of sheep dogs' life, its control of livestock. Border Collies have assumed an enormous popularity within the canine world. Known for their intelligence, it is on the trial field that their real intelligence shines. In an unparalleled partnership between dog and handler, the Border collie directs the movement of sheep with his presence and his handler at the controls. The handler controls his dog with a combination of whistles and voice commands-whistles are heard more sharply at great distances and afford more precision. The dogs are on the frontlines, negotiating with the sheep for authority. The good dog is one that appears to the sheep as a benevolent if forceful cop — "Do as I say and no one will get hurt." The sheep are not always willing to accept direction. The dogs can resist the handler's control. The handler can make errors at the controls. It all adds up to endless three way dramas, played out on the trial field, for the entertainment the crowd. In years past, spectators have been charmed by tremendous tension at the pen, where the dog finally puts his sheep at trial end, or in the shedding ring where a dog cuts one unwilling sheep from the rest of his group.
Work
at a trial reflects jobs done routinely on any sheep or cattle farm — gathering,
driving, penning and singling. Three sheep are released a couple of hundred yards up the
field. A handler sends his dog from a post at the bottom. The dog casts out, fast and
furious to the back of the sheep, leaving them undisturbed in the middle of the cast. The
dog brings the sheep through a pair of obstacles to the back of the handler at the post.
From the post, begins the drive where the dog directs the sheep around a triangular course
of gates to the pen. The sheep are penned and move on to the shedding ring where the most
lyrical work occurs — poetry in motion — the dog separating one sheep from the
other two.
The outward cast laced with conviction, this "outrun," as it is called, shows a Border Collie's breeding. Well bred dogs instinctively cast out well and pick up all the sheep within the cast. Good instincts are sought in good Border Collies, their presence with livestock, their authority over sheep and their natural feel for them. Everyone can identify regular dog breeds by their appearance. For instance we all know what an Afgan Hound, a Dandie Dinmont or a Poodle looks like. As much as appearance defines those breeds, work defines Border Collies. The trial field is the status quo for the breed. It is here that championships are decided.
The sheep for the Kingston trials come from a flock of 1500 ewes on Waupoos Island, at the bottom of Prince Edward County. They have become notorious in sheepdog circles for their vexing behaviours and truculent challenges for the dogs.
The event takes place on the banks of the St Lawrence River, Grass Creek Park, between Kingston and Gananoque.
Visitors to the trials willl be treated not just to the best sheep dogs in Canada and the United States, but a juried craft fair, sheep shearing demos, live entertainment through the noon hour, lots of fun kids activities, a police dog demonstration — the trials have entertainment for the whole family.
CONTACT
Tel: 613-546-4291 ext. 1700
