Herding trials have been held in France since 1896. There have been some variations in details over the years, but the essentials have remained the same.

On the trial course, the shepherd may lead the flock, be at the side, or follow the flock; in actual practice, about half lead,and half follow.

Bridge crossing at 1997 Championship of France
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When bridges, chutes or other narrow passages are negotiated, this is to be done with the dog showing control of the flock. The shepherd will fall back toward the rear of the flock as it approaches the bridge or other obstacle. the dog drives the flock through the obstacle, with the shepherd going through the obstacle last. With obstacles such as sorting chutes, the shepherd may help the dog, for instance, by blocking the sheep to help funnel them. The dog may bark or even jump on the backs of the leading sheep to push them forward.

During the grazing section of the trial, the shepherd and dog move the flock into a marked area and settles them. This represents the common French practice of "grazing to the square" -- keeping the sheep in a compact group so that the field is thoroughly grazed and manured a section at a time. Sheep are also be kept from trespassing on adjoing crops.

In trials, after the sheep are settled the shepherd, with the dog usually in a position on the other side of the flock, waits for a signal from the judge to proceed on the course. Work at a distance may be required in the Level III class: the sheep are left grazing while the shepherd moves to a handler's post up to 250 yards away, either taking the dog with him, or leaving the dog with the flock and then recalling the dog; then the dog is sent to gather the flock and bring it to the handler. In mountain regions especially sheep graze in a more spread-out fashion, vegetation being sparser, and the dog may need to be sent some distance to gather them.

Before 1990 there was one overall type or level of trial, although individual courses could vary considerably. Basic common elements were included and overall guidelines followed. There was an exit from the pen, movement along a road or path, passage near a hedge, embankment or tempting crop, transit over a bridge and through gates or natural barriers, halting of the flock to graze for 2 or 3 minutes in a square marked off by four corner flags, entry onto a road and the meeting or overtaking of the flock by a car, and returning the sheep to the pen. The overall point total was 100. As is still the case, the regulations left it to the judges to establish the course and distribute points according to the characteristics of that course.

In the early 1990's, the trials were divided into three levels, and a kind of "instinct test" was added below the level of the trials. The three levels incorporate various aspects of the original one-level trials. The three levels are:

1. for novice dogs; the course is limited to the most simple obstacles and tests.
2. for more experienced dogs; success at this level allows the dog to obtain his "certificate of work with the flock."
3. for advanced dogs; obtaining specified ratings at this level entitles the dog to higher certificates and the opportunity to compete in the National Championship trial.

FRENCH HERDING TRIAL RULES

This is summarized information from the printed rules:

Introduction -- includes: the trials are for evaluating qualities of the dog such as obedience, initiative, gentleness, herding aptitude, and promote the selection, utilization and understanding of how to train and use a dog for herding.

General conditions --
roughly: the trials are reserved for sheep and cattle dogs at least one year of age and handled by a professional in the livestock industry. Also not allowed to compete are dogs that are monorchids, dangerous or in ill health. "Bitches under the influence oftheir sex" may participate, but must be kept apart and will run last. The flock is to consist of lots of 50 to 60 head for levels 1 and 2, 80 head minimum in category 3, accustomed to being worked by dogs (along with some specifications as to age, condition and care of the sheep). There should be enough sheep so that each group isn't worked more than twice.

Organization --
includes: who can organize trials and other technical details. Required are a large area with variety of characteristics. The course is to be a minimum of 1000 to 1200 meters. Number of participants is limited to 15, with a priority given to people living in that area.

Jury --
includes: composition of the jury, oversight of jury/judge regarding general course conditions. Level I trials are judged by a qualified judge or a trainee; Level II and III trials are judged by a qualified judge possibly assisted by a trainee; the National Championship trial is judged by three judges, one of which may be a trainee.

Entrants --
includes: requirements for the entrants (e.g. dog's vaccination papers to be presented, etc.). An entrant may trial up to two dogs at the same trial, if there is room; otherwise, only one dog may be entered per contestant. Dogs to be on leash when not running.

The following is a rough translation rather than summary:

Course --
The course is laid out over two or three hectares of ground (hectare being 2.47 acres), with a length of about 1200 meters, where different obstacles are judiciously distributed and suit a time of 25 to 30 minutes.

The exercises are divided into five main sections:

1. Pen or sheepfold
2. Difficult passages
3. Conduct and maneuver
4. Stops
5. Intelligence of execution

1. The pen or sheepfold

The jury evaluates, regarding the exit or reentry of the pen, the relative difficulty of the two maneuvers, on the proposed terrain, in order to attribute their relative value: exit, reentry, protection of handler and jump.

• a) Exit -- after the authorization of the jury, the handler may open the pen for the dog to enter (which he may accompany or not), in order to accomplish the exit of the flock. The exit is accomplished by the active work of the dog under the commands of the handler. It should be done calmly and the taking in hand of the flock should be immediate. The jury evaluates the behavior of the dog in contact with the flock, its calmness and firmness.
• b) Reentry -- should be accomplished by the active work of the dog under the commands of the handler. It should be calm and without jostling. Near the sheepfold, the flock should be halted and held in place by the dog, while the shepherd opens the gate.
• c) Protection and jump -- Before the exit of the flock from the enclosure where it is contained, or, at the time that it has reentered the gate is closed, the handler simulates feeding and going around the paddock. The dog clears a passage between the shepherd and the flock. At the beginning or the end of the exercise, in order to protect the shepherd's entrance or exit of the pen, the dog is placed between the flock and the gate. The handler leaves through the gate and leaves the dog protecting it. After the gate has been closed, the handler recalls his dog which is to jump a panel (one meter high) in order to return to his place at the feet of the handler.

2. Difficult passages

There should be at least two difficult passages, even three, as natural as possible, for example: narrow passage, or between crops, hedges, or barriers between two fields, or passage of a bridge, or sorting pen (particularly recommended).

The jury should distribute the points in this test in according to the relative difficulty of the exercises and their number and in appreciation of the approach, the placement of the handler, the dog, as well as the control and the taking in hand of the flock at the exit. The entry of the flock into the difficult passage should be done by the dog and executed calmly. In the case of a bridge, the handler and dog both should cross it to continue the course, because, even if it is artificial, it represents a gorge too large or too deep to cross. In the case of a sorting pen, the dog may enter, but not the handler. In other cases, the handler places himself in the fashion that appears to be the best way of negotiating the passage. Going around or past an obstacle brings about the loss of points for that obstacle and the handler isn't allowed to try again.

3. Management and maneuver

This test, judged throughout the course, is divided into five exercises:

• a) Graze: the work consists of the graze, either square or elongated, in a natural field or temporary field with its limits marked by four stakes at the corners or along the front of an authorized space (12 meters by 12 meters for groups of 50 to 70 sheep and 15 meters by 15 meters for larger groups). The jury appraises the shepherd's handling, the position of the dog in relation to the flock, and the ability of the dog to bring the flock into the graze and maintain it in place with calmness, efficiency and initiative. <li> b) Holding the flock and catching a sheep -- while the flock is immobilized and calm in the indicated space, the handler catches and briefly holds a marked sheep indicated by the jury. During this time, the dog should contain the rest of the flock in the indicated space, if possible on its own initiative [i.e., without commands from the handler. In connection with this exercise, the handler may be required to do something with the captured sheep, such as actually clip a hoof, or at one trial in a milk-sheep region, milk the sheep!].
• c) Work at a distance (150 to 300 meters) [for Level III only] -- after having regrouped and stabilized the sheep within the indicated limits, the handler may: -- entrust the dog to assure, on its own initiative, the maintenance of the flock in the space previously defined in order to earn maximum points for this exercise, and go to the place designated by the jury. If the flock goes outside the limits or if the handler must command the dog to ensure that the flock stays in place, points are deducted; [or] -- accompanied by the dog, go to the place indicated by the jury; At the authorization of the jury, the handler, without changing place, commands the dog to regather the group and calmly bring them to him along the indicated path to him.
• d) Car passage [Level III only] -- this may be done on a real road or on a simulated road that represents the conditions encountered on a real road. The road must be clearly delineated, with at least one side which the flock may "lean on" during the passage. In the case of a real road, where the traffic can't be interrupted, but only controlled, the average of the different passages will be kept for our definition.
• e) Movement: The jury appreciates the movement of the flock during all the duration of the course. The dog will be noted for his ability to guide the flock between two exercises or obstacles, following the defined course, in accordance with the relative difficulty of the movements and their number.

4. Stops

The dog should be capable of stopping the flock in all circumstances and there should be at least two stops, placed at a natural place: path, road, enclosure, crop, etc. The jury distributes the points of this test in accordance with the relative difficulty of the stops.

The stopping of the flock is a very important maneuver and should be done, not by the handler, but by the dog which must come to the front of the flock. After the flock stops and the handler checks to see that the passage is not dangerous, the resumption of movement should be fairly quick, without jostling, with the dog going around the flock to push at the rear or at least assure the control of a side.

Going past the stop brings about the loss of all the points for this exerise and the handler isn't authorized to take up the flock in order to attempt a new stop.

5. Intelligence of execution

This is judged throughout, with the jury figuring in the paragraph which is divided into three headings:

• a) Commands -- these may be made by voice, gesture or whistle and will have a great influence on the behavior of the dog and the quality of its response. The jury appraises the vocabulary, clarity, force, intonation and number of commands. Useless commands or commands not followed by the dog are penalized and it should be recalled that each sound of the whistle is a command. Whatever the mode, the commands which are applied to each movement should always be the same and as abstemious as possible.
  
  
• b) Obedience -- this should be immediate, complete and definitive: it conditions the good conduct of the flock.
  
  
• c) Activity -- initiative -- gentleness -- The jury appraises the ability of the dog to gather, guide, stop or move the flock, as the handler demands, as well as the dog's ability to intervene on its own initiative and advisedly channel, stop or hold the flock in place, and regroup strays.

Save in exceptional cases, the dog should not bite the sheep and all brutality is severely penalized. A brief nip is admissible, only when necessary and in order to conserve mastery of the flock. Flagrant and untimely bites are the cause for immediate disqualification and the dog should not endanger the sheep.

Note: It is not permitted to return to a missed obstacle and attempt another passage.

A time limit is fixed for the execution of certain exercises as well as that for the total duration of the course.

Qualifications:

At the time of the grading, the dog will be given a qualification according to the following points:

• Excellent -- 75% and above of the total points available.
• Very Good -- 60% and above, up to but not including 75%.
• Good -- 50% and above, up to but not including 60%.
• Nonqualifying -- less than 50%.

Point deductions:

I. Pen or sheepfold

• anticipates departure -2
• too hurried or too slow in work -2 to -5
• allows reentry -2 to -5
• allows runaway of more than 30 meters (a little more than 30 yds.) -2 to -5
• doesn't work, doesn't control sheep -2 to -8
• doesn't keep the sheep back from handler when both are inside pen -2 to -5
• doesn't jump -2 to -5
• allows runaway of more than 50 meters -2 to -5

• sheep step out of limits -0.5 (to maximum of -5)
• poor approach -2 to -5
• dog poorly placed -2 to -5
• late in negotiating passage -2 to -5
• bad negotiation of passage -2 to -5
• intervention of handler -2 to -5
• loss of control exiting passage -2 to -5
• flock goes around or doesn't pass through -2 to -5

• By commanding at a distance (graze) -0.5
• dog poorly placed -1
• goes through the course too rapidly/too slowly -1 to -5
• late in putting the flock in place -1 to -5
• difficulty in immobilizing the flock -1 to -5
• tentativeness in catching/holding the marked sheep -2
• choppy, winding, imprecise transit of the course -1 to -8
• scattering or jostling the sheep -2 to -8
• grazing out of limits -2 to -5
• dog poorly placed (car passage) -2 to -8
• loss of control, little work -2 to -10
• doesn't immobilize sheep -5
• movement of flock during "hold" and "stops" -5
• dog returns to handler during graze -5
• complete escape of flock -10

• a sheep that pushes past -1 (to a maximum of -5)
• sheep pull back too far (reverse) -0.5
• slight overflow by flock, but controlled -2 to -5
• late in resuming motion -2 to -5
• stop done by the handler, not the dog -2 to -8
• dog keeps working, doesn't stop -2 to -8
• allowing total movement -10

V. Intelligence of performance

a) commands
• useless or not perfomed -1 to -3
• too numerous, lacking in firmness -1 to -3
• counter to sense -2 to -5
• recalling the dog on its abandoning work -3
• correcting the dog -6

• b) obedience
• ? doesn't obey command -1
• late in obeying -1 to -3
• obeys counter to sense -2 to -5
• abandons the flock disqualification

c) activity -- initiative -- gentleness

• wandering, chasing -1 to -3
• difficulty in asserting itself, fearfulness -3
• cutting into the flock, scattering the flock -3
• lack of interest in work, inattentive -2 to -5
• dog places itself poorly, allows escapes -1 to -3
• doesn't move when ordered -1 to -3
• brutality, rough gripping -2 to -5
• unnecessary grip -1 (to a maximum of 5)

• wrong act by the handler
• unjustified dispute
• hindrance of the normal unrolling of the course
• abandoning the flock
• refusal to obey, flagrant disobedience
• unjustified or dangerous bites
• repeated brutalities by the dog or handler
• frequent scattering of the flock
• fearfulness or aggressiveness
• failure to control the flock
• dog wandering during the passage of another contestant

Other information summarized:

Handling of Complaints:

Titles:

• (a) The "brevet" or "working certificate" is earned at Level II trials with a minimum score of 75% and at least 50% of each section. The brevet allows a dog to enter the "selective" or Level III trials, which leadtoeligibility for the National Championship trial. It also can be used as oneof the working certificates that are required for conformation champions.
• (b) The "Certificate of Aptitude for Herding Championship" (C.A.C.T.) , and its Reserve (R.C.A.C.T.), are earned on Level III courses,and require that the dog place lst or 2nd with at least 80% of the total score.
• (c) The "Working Championship" (C.A.C.T.) can also be obtained by passing three times with a rating of "very good", under two different judges, on Level III courses. If several dogs at a trial meet the qualifications for a title, they all will obtain the title.

The regulations continue with technical requirements for the Championship of France; nomination and qualification of judges; detailed guidelines for organizing a competition; and the requirements for the "Certificate of Natural Aptitudes for the Flock," an evaluation of untrained dogs being introduced to livestock. Evaluated under "natural aptitudes" are physical structure, 15 minutes of exercise to evaluate endurance, a jump over an obstacle 50 centimeters high, obedience on and off leash, recall, sociability vis-a-vis other dogs and humans, confidence, etc. Under "herding aptitudes" are interest in the sheep (the dog is held on leash and brought toward a group of sheep, then let off leash outside a pen with the sheep inside. If the dog passes the forgoing "approach," it may be allowed into the pen with the sheep, first on leash and then off, to evaluate its ability to "take possession."

In trials, Level I dogs perform:

• I. "Pen or Sheepfold": all the exercises for this section, for 25 pts.
• II. "Difficult Passage": No difficult passage work, 0 pts.
• III. "Management and Maneuver": The graze, the hold and the catching of a sheep, as well as being judged throughout the course, for 20 pts.
• IV. "Stopping the Flock": No stops, 0 pts.
• V. "Intelligence of Execution": Judged on all aspects: commands, obedience, activity- gentleness-initiative, for 30 pts.

TOTAL: 75 pts.

Level II dogs perform:

• I. "Pen or Sheepfold": all the exercises, for 25 pts.
• II. "Difficult Passage": difficult passages, for 15 pts.
• III. "Management and Maneuver": The graze, the hold and catching of a sheep, as well as being judged throughout the course, for 20 pts.
• IV. "Stopping the Flock": Stops, for 10 pts.
• V. "Intelligence of Execution": Judged on all aspects, for 30 pts.

TOTAL: 100 pts.

Level III dogs perform:

• I. "Pen or Sheepfold": all the exercises, for 25 pts.
• II. "Difficult Passage": difficult passages, for 25 pts.
• III. "Management and Maneuver": The graze, the hold and catching of a sheep, the car passage, the (optional) "work at a distance" if included, as well as being judged throughout the course, for 50 pts.
• IV. "Stopping the Flock": Stops, for 20 pts.
• V. "Intelligence of Execution": Judged on all aspects, for 30 pts.

TOTAL: 150 pts.

Information on trials provided by Mr. Paul Le Goff, SOCIETE CENTRAL CANINE

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Linda Rorem
e-mail Pacifica19@aol.com