Border collies are natural livestock herders and often cited as the smartest breed of dog.
Those instincts and intelligence will be on display at the Third Annual Sandhill Lea Sheepdog Trial, which is taking place at the competition site on Abel Lake Road, located 10 kilometres west of 105 Mile via Tatton Road, Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
The two-day event will see approximately 60 herding dogs and 40 handlers from around the province putting a half dozen or so sheep through an international sheepdog style course. Attendance is free and open to the public – but no pets – between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“It's a very different situation from dog obedience, which more people are familiar with,” explains event organizer Lorne Landry.
“The difference is their instinct hasn't been bred out of them. They have an instinct to gather the sheep to the handler like the handler is the alpha dog and they were gathering them as if they were prey.”
Landry has been sheepherding for 20 years. He has three sheepdogs and two guardian dogs, which protect his flock from predators.
“The handlers use a whistle to direct the dog. It's definitely teamwork, but you have to leave the dog do certain things because it can sense things the handler can't.
“The handler will leave the dog a certain amount of freedom to do its thing and direct the dog when it needs to be directed.”
Three classes will be on display, which include experienced dogs and handlers, as well as beginner dogs and handlers.
Cash prizes will go to the top 5 competitors each day.