Sheep Dog Trials

The Cuyahoga Valley Sheep Dog Trials (CVSDT) is a competitive trial in which herding dogs move sheep around a field, through gates, penning and shedding them as directed by their handlers. These trials have been held in this country since the 1880s. The CVSDT’s Open class is sanctioned by the United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA).

The trials are a test of the dog leaving the handler to fetch sheep at the far end of the field. The dog must lift the sheep from another handler at the end of the field setting out sheep and fetch bring them to the handler at the handler’s post. The handler then has to drive the sheep through a series of gates, including a cross drive where the dog is required to move the sheep in a controlled way in a straight line from one side of the field to the other. Then the dog and handler then move the sheep into a pen. For the Open (the most advanced) class, the dog must separate the sheep; this sheddingis done in a ring marked out on the ground. The Ranch class uses the same course but does not include the shed. The Pro-Novice class is an intermediate level class. 

The judge watches each run and assigns a score based on their judgment. Each test element is assigned a maximum score:

        Outrun:20 points

        Lift: 10 points

        Fetch: 20 points

        Drive: 30 points

        Pen: 10 points

        Shed: (Open class only): 10 points

Each competitor is assigned the full amount for each element before they start. As they negotiate each test element a judge deducts points for each fault. They must negotiate each element in sequence before proceeding to the next. A set amount of time for the whole course. If the competitor runs out of time then they will lose all the points for the element they were in the process of completing and all those that they have yet to attempt. The competitor's score is the sum of their score for all completed elements.