Show Border Collie Herding Test

Following the successful staging of the first Show Border Collie Herding Test in October 2008, the Kennel Club held two further tests during 2009 and 2010.

The tests were held at Bredhurst in Kent on Saturday 10th October 2009, hosted by Southern Border Collie Club and at Pickering in North Yorkshire on Sunday 24th October 2010, hosted by the Border Collie Club of Great Britain.

Dogs that have successfully completed the Herding Test

2008
Astley Bracken over Guildenmore - handled and owned by Rev. Angela Hughes
Dazlerock's Harry Potter - handled and owned by Louise Amos
Cories Lachat - handled by Louise Amos (owned by Ann Jordan)

2009
Coires Meg - handled by Louise Amos (owned by Ann Jordan)
Coires Fly - handled by Louise Amos (owned by Ann Jordan)
Corriedhu Breac into Coires - handled and owned by Louise Amos
Littlethorn Colt at Tobermoray JW - handled by Rachel Spencer (owned by Mrs A Spencer)

2010
Tim O'Day at Guildenmore - owned and handled by The Reverend Angela Hughes
Littlethorn Zodiac - owned and handled by Mrs Sue McCrilley 

The purpose of the Herding Test, a limited version of a sheepdog trial, is to safeguard the future development of the Border Collie by emphasising the importance of the breed's natural herding abilities. Border Collies which achieve Show Champion status in the breed ring need to succeed in the Herding Test before being made up to full Champions. However any registered Border Collie which passes the Herding Test will now be entitled to use the letters 'SBCHT' at the end of its name.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: "We are very pleased with the success of this test, which will ensure that the innate behaviour and genes of the Border Collie continue to be valued and rewarded.

"The recognition of a dog's natural abilities ties in with our Fit for Function: Fit for Life campaign, which aims to ensure that dogs are bred to be fit for their original function and to enjoy their lives to the full."

The Herding Test consists of five principal elements - Outrun, Lift, Bring/Fetch, Inspection and Drive - working a group of five to ten sheep. Following a review of the initial test in October 2008, details of the requirements have been clarified. Dogs need to pass overall but do not need to pass each section; the stated objective of the Herding Test is 'to assess a dog's instinct to herd sheep in a controlled manner and under instruction of the handler'. As it is the dog's herding ability which is being tested, dogs may be handled by anyone, not necessarily the owner.

Detail of the Herding Test

When the new Herding Test was announced last year, exemptions were specified for dogs which had been successful in certain trials affiliated to the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS). A further exemption is now available, for dogs that have passed the ISDS Working Test for Registration on Merit.

Owners wishing to enter their Border Collie in a Herding Test should contact Zoe Tharmasingam at the Kennel Club (Tel: 0870 606 6750 Ext. 313 or email: zoe.t[at]thekennelclub.org.uk) to obtain an application form. Entries close four weeks before the date of each test, and the entry fee is £25.00. Dogs must be 12 months old or over at the date of the application. There is no limit on the number of Herding Tests for which a dog may be entered.