National Sheepdog Finals

The US Border Collie Handlers’ Association and the American Border Collie Association held the national sheepdog finals in Sturgis “No Hogs, Just Dogs” SD this week. We stopped by on a lovely South Dakota morning to watch the Nursery Finals for dogs 20 months and younger. The older dogs seemed to be just as interested as we were, but maybe they were watching the sheep.

A wrangler with his own dog brings a herd of five sheep to a spot 600 yds (550 m) distant from the dog and handler.

The dog then leaves its handler and runs in an arc around behind the sheep being careful not to startle them. Then using a combination of verbal and whistle commands, the handler directs the dog to follow the course shown below.

Their puppy enthusiasm sometimes overwhelms the handler’s commands. But the dogs are impressive and usually get the sheep around the course and into the pen.

This is Jennifer Clark Ewers and Sweep after collecting 134 points (of 180) putting them in 3rd place. Not all handlers wear rhinestones.

And it’s not all work for the dogs. This pup came over for a scratch from both of us, and enjoyed it so much he peed on our tire.