The Redwood Empire Region of Northern California developed this specific kind of sheepdog trial in the 1940s due to Mendocino County’s rough terrain. During the event herding dogs show their skills by moving sheep around fences and gates while directed by their handlers. A judge assesses their performance to see how well the dogs can guide the sheep into different enclosures.
Kevin Owens, a former contestant and two time first place winner of the Mendocino County Sheepdog Trials, says that while there are many kinds of herding dogs, border collies are his personal favorite for the competition.
Kevin Owens : “A border collie wants to work, they are happy when they are working. You never have to tell a border collie to work, you have to tell them not to work.”
W. Dan, who hosts the programs “The Discussion” and “The Treehouse” at KZYX Radio, produces an annual broadcast with Kevin at the sheepdog trials to describe the excitement of the competition to listeners.
W. Dan Clip: “The Redwood Empire Sheepdog Association trials are not done anywhere else, this is the only place in the US that they do them like this.” and “We are sitting there in the front row. We are live on the air, and its a bit like a baseball game we describe the weather, and a bit about how the dog approach the sheep. Some times they creep and sometimes it’s like a track spinner. The job is to explain to the listener what’s going on with the sheepdog.”
The Mendocino County Sheepdog Trials are normally based on a 50 point scoring system and last for about 10 minutes. Each contestant starts with 50 points and can lose points if the sheepdog does something the judge doesn’t approve of. Some of the main tasks the sheepdogs need to do to win are the outrun, the lift, and the fetch of the sheep.
W. Dan: “Dog on his run is running in a straight line along to get the sheep, and the lift is picking up the sheep and fetching them back to the handler. So that’s the outrun, lift, and fetch.”
Near the end of the event there’s an obstacle called a shoe, which is a small funnel like structure. This is one of the most difficult parts of the competition for sheepdogs and their handlers.
Kevin Owens: “It’s ten feet wide and 16 inches wide. Only wide enough for one sheep. The handlers are off giving directions. A lot of times handlers won’t be able to get the sheep through there but they have to try a couple of times. Then they move on to the pen, and the dog has to put the sheep in there. That’s the end of the trial.”
For the hardworking sheepdogs, the big treat from their owners for completing the competition is not a big chunk of meat or ice cream……but the feeling of accomplishment when finishing the event.
W. Dan: “A lot of love. People will hug the dogs and scratch them and that dog is just happy being out there and that’s the reward.”
To listen to the broadcast of the Mendocino County Fair’s Sheepdog Trials and hear more from W. Dan and Kevin on Sunday, September 15th, at 10 AM.
