Sheep Dog Trials have been held in the United Kingdom since 1873 when the first formal trials were held in Bala, Wales. The trials are a competition in performance not conformation.

The competition is based on daily tasks that the dog is asked to do on the farm. Points are allotted for each phase of the work and the team of dog and handler who can do the work with the most precision and in the time interval allowed will win the most points. The Trials are an open competition and any breed may enter. However, the only breed represented in previous Trials at Rural Hill has been the Border Collie.

One of 13 dog breeds that developed in Scotland, the Border Collie, first appeared in the Border country of Scotland in the 1700's. They are generally black with white markings, weighing 30-50 pounds and standing about 18 inches at the shoulder. One of their distinguishing features is that their fore legs are often shorter than their hind legs. It is said, "Without the Border Collie there would be no sheep industry in Scotland".

The trials are a competition in performance not conformation. The tasks incorporated into the making of the sheep dog trials are the basic skills needed to manage livestock. For instance, one of the most important things that a farm dog can do is to gather the livestock from far away hills. In the Trials this is known as the outrun (going out in a wide circle in order to get behind the livestock), the lift (approaching the animals in a calm but authoritative manner so as to get them moving in the right direction) and the fetch (bringing the livestock to the shepherd).

The next phase of trial work involves driving the livestock away from the handler toward a specific obstacle in a straight line. Then the dog is asked to drive the stock to another obstacle and then finally to a pen and to help to put them into the pen. Sometimes the dog is also asked to help divide the livestock into two or more groups in a maneuver called a shed. The shepherd will use voice commands such as stand, way to me (go right), come by (go left), lay down and that'll do to work the dogs but at a distance these commands are translated into whistles.

Today farmers continue to find their Sheep Dogs valued partners in maintaining livestock herds profitably and safely. As the American family has moved to an urban rather than agricultural setting, these farmers have been joined by thousands of suburbanites who have discovered the frustration and joy of training their dogs to usher scatter-brained sheep through a series of tasks that have their origins in the every day activities of farm life. Using arcane commands and whistles, they too have discovered the special relationship between human and working dog.

In addition to sheep herding, several sports using the energy and physical skills of the herd dog have evolved.

Sanctioning boards, rules and prize money have turned simple toss and fetch into other heavily supported competitions for herding dogs.

Learn about sports and activities you can participate in including Agility, Obedience Competition, Therapy Dog Training, Flying Disc and Fly ball. Hosted by The Greater Charlotte Shetland Sheepdog Club.

Power of the Past
During WWI the United States Army purchased and transported most of the available draft horses to Europe and American farmers were forced to find another source of horsepower to work their farms.

By the 1930's tractor manufacturers were building high-quality useful machines that were very durable. John Deere, International Harvester, Case, Allis-Chalmers, Oliver and Minneapolis Moline revolutionized the life-style of the American family farm. Preservation of these classic beauties are an important part of our rural heritage.

Hayride Tours
of Rural Hill will be provided for a $2 donation.

The Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials are presented by the Catawba Valley Scottish Society, The Greater Charlotte Shetland Sheep Dog Club, in cooperation with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation and sanctioned by the US Border Collie Handlers Association.