Article August 21, 1902 Issue

Sheep-Dog Trials in England

with contributions from Joseph Joubert

The patience, faithfulness, and intelligence of "man's knowing friend" are nowhere more conspicuously shown than in the handling of sheep, and in the north of England the training of sheep-dogs has become really a fine art.

The following interesting sketch is taken from an article by A. R. Dugmore which is quoted in the Review of Reviews. Troutbeck is the scene of the more famous annual trials, and here in this little retired village the sheep-herders of north gather together every year to witness the trials of their collies, conducted according to the most stringent rules and regulations. The display of intelligence and beautiful training on the part of the sheep-dogs is most fascinating.

The task set each dog was to convey three sheep over rough ground from the starting pen for about three quarters of a mile to the finishing pen. The route was fixed by flags, and the sheep had to be conveyed between these flags. The man whose dog was working stood on a knoll about one hundred and fifty yards from the starting point, and not until his dog had gotten the sheep to the finishing point was he allowed to leave this knoll. From that distant point he had to guide his dog as best by could by signs and signals, shrill whistling, and sometimes calling.

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