Owners of Show Border Collies will have another opportunity to test their dogs’ natural herding instincts and qualify them to achieve full Champion status, with the announcement of the Kennel Club’s third Show Border Collie Herding Test.

The test will be held on Sunday 24^th October 2010 in Pickering, North Yorkshire, and will be judged by Bruce Kilsby and Mike Condie.

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. The test requires dogs to show the principal skills of outrunning, lifting, fetching, inspecting and driving, but focuses on the core aspect of a dog’s herding ability under the direction of the handler, and rewards its instinctive talents more than its level of performance.

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 may take the Herding Test, and owners whose dogs pass will be entitled to use the letters ‘SBCHT’ at the end of their dog’s name. 

Caroline Kisko, the Kennel Club’s Director of Communications, said: “We are very pleased with the progress of this test. 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.”

Owners wishing to enter their Border Collie in the Herding Test please click here to obtain an application form, or use the downloadable application forms available. Full details of the test and exemptions are also available online. Alternatively, please contact Holly Davidson at the Kennel Club on 0844 463 3980 Ext 313 or via email holly.davidson@thekennelclub.org.uk.

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