Sheepdog trials

Competitions of herding dogs guiding sheep around a field course through gates and into a pen on the shepherd's calls.

How it is played

The handler directs a dog by whistles and calls to move a small flock through a set course against the clock.

Heritage note

Part of the living heritage of United Kingdom. Animals are partners in this tradition; good care and local rules always come first.

Origins

Usually placed in the era of Classical Worlds (about 1000 BCE to 500 CE), although its exact origins are uncertain, within the cultural world of Celtic and Atlantic Europe.