Within every breed that has a practical purpose Working tests are arranged to check on the performance of the dogs. In consequence we have gundog trials, aheepdog trials and working trials for tracking dogs, search dogs, rescue dogs etc.

Sheepdog and cattledog trials

Svenska Vallhundklubben (the Swedish Working Sheepdog Club) and their affiliated clubs arrange official trials with sheep or cattle. The simplest trial is called a Local trial and if you have passed such a test with at least half the points available, you get a stamp in your registration certificate saying “Godkänd vallhundsprov”, that is certified sheepdog.

A Local trial is open to all dogs that have not started in Open Class or higher.

The Local trial consists of the following parts:

The fetch. The dog has to make a suitably wide cast and stop behind the sheep which are positioned about 100 meters from the casting peg. After that that the dog has to drive the sheep at a quiet pace in as straight a line as possible to the handler and around him. During the fetch the cast, lift and draw are judged.

Driving away. The dog has to drive the sheep in front of the handler in the direction of and through a gap between two panels that are placed 7 meters apart.

Driving 100 meters. When the sheep have passed the gap the dog has to drive them 200 meters through two gaps 2 meters wide. The handler can walk in front, beside or behind the sheep.

Pen, in. At the end of the drive there is a hexagonal pen built with two-meter panels. The handler opens the gate (one of the panels) and stands at its end while the dog drives the sheep into the pen. When all the sheep are inside, the handler closes the gate.

photo: Karin Brännström

Pen, out. The handler opens the gate and stands at the end of it. The dog has to go into the pen and behind the sheep and drive them out. When all the sheep are outside, the handler closes the gate. The dog must take control of the flock. And with that the trial ends.
Maximum points 100.
To get the stamp “certified sheepdog” the dog must obtain at least 50% of the points available, and at least 50% of the points for the fetch.

If you want to go on trialling the next class is Open Class (ÖK). This class includes a 150 meter fetch, driving away 100 + 100 m in an angle (the handler follows behind the flock)., driving 100 m as above and a pen in and out.
Max points 100. This class is open to all dogs that have not started in Winners Class.

In the Open Class the dog gets a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize according to the number of points. A 3rd = 60 – 69 p, a 2nd = 70 – 85 p and a 1st = 85 – 100 p (In cattle dog trials 85 – 110 p). If you get a 1st you are qualified to move on to the next calss which is called Winners Class (SK), where you can get a Certificate if you get 90 or more points.

In Winners Class the fetch is 200 – 400 meters, and after that a drive in a triangle 100 + 100 + 100 m with the handler staying at the starting point. After that follows shedding where a number of marked sheep are to be shed off and kept under control until the judge is satisfied. The last part is driving the sheep into a rectangular pen. When the sheep are inside, the trial ends. Max points 100.
The maximum time allowed in all classes is 15 min.

To win the title Swedish Sheepdog Champion the dog has to obtain 3 certificates at sheepdog trials during three different years.

To win the title Swedish Cattle Dog Champion the dog has to obtain 3 certificates at cattle dog trials during three different years.