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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
Click here for pictures
from herding trials in France
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:
- for
novice dogs; the course is limited to the
most simple obstacles and tests.
- for
more experienced dogs; success at this level
allows the dog to obtain his "certificate
of work with the flock."
- 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:
- Pen
or sheepfold
- Difficult
passages
- Conduct
and maneuver
- Stops
- 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
II.
Difficult passages
- 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
III.
Management and maneuver
- 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
IV.
Stops
- 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
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- 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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