Herding trials have been held in France since 1897. There have been some variations in details over the years, but the traditional trials essentially involve the shepherd and his dog conducting a flock of 80 and often over 100 sheep over a "cross-country" type of course meant to reflect situations found in daily work.
In French trials, one dog is used and judging criteria primarily relate to accomplishing the tasks in an efficient, calm manner. The shepherd and dog may take various positions relative to the flock, according to circumstances. Thus, the dog may be behind or ahead, on one side of the flock or the other, wherever its presence is needed, remaining as discreet as possible when all goes well. The dog is expected to work with a great deal of initiative, the shepherd only commanding the dog for particular maneuvers.
When bridges, chutes or other narrow passages are negotiated, the shepherd may lead the flock through, leaving the dog to watch the entrance and bring up the rear. The shepherd may also place himself to one side of the entry, showing off the ability of his dog to push the sheep on across the bridge or through the obstacle. To effect this, the dog is allowed to bark or even jump on the backs of the leading sheep to push them forward.
During the grazing section of the trial, the shepherd and dog drive the flock into a marked area and settles them. The shepherd then places himself and the dog in opposite corners and waits for a signal from the judge to proceed on the course. Occasionally, if the flock is well settled, the judge might require the shepherd to leave the flock in the dog's charge and retire a distance away, and he will then give his next instructions at a distance. Or, both dog and shepherd will move back some distance, then the dog will be sent to gather the flock.
Trials held in the 1980's were described in the Nov.-Dec. 1989 issue of the AHBA newsletter. There was one overall type of trial, although individual courses could vary considerably. The regulations left it to the judges to establish the course and distribute points according to the characteristics of that course. Basic common elements were included and overall guidelines followed. There was an exit from the pen, movement along a road or path, passage near a hedge, embankment or tempting crop, transit over a bridge and through gates or natural barriers, halting of the flock to graze for 2 or 3 minutes in a square marked off by four corner flags, entry onto a road and the meeting or overtaking of the flock by a car, and returning the sheep to the pen. The overall point total was 100.
In the early 1990's, the trials were divided into three levels, and a kind of "instinct test" was added below the level of the trials. The three levels incorporate various aspects of the original one-level trials. The three levels are:
II -- for more experienced dogs; success at this level allows the dog to obtain his "certificate of work with the flock."
III -- for advanced dogs; obtaining specified ratings at this level entitles the dog to higher certificates and the opportunity to compete in the National Championship trial.
Level I and II trials use flocks of from 50 to 60 sheep (40 were sometimes used for the earlier trials, although larger numbers were strongly preferred). Level III trials use 80 or more. The present rules allow each group to be used only twice, although earlier flocks were used up to four times. Courses are from 1,000 to 1,200 meters in length, with 25 to 30 minutes allowed. Only professional shepherds, farmers or people who work with sheep are eligible for trials. It appears that only breedable dogs may take part: monorchids are excluded, nothing is said about spayed or neutered dogs.
Most of the trials are open to all breeds, with Border Collies, Beaucerons, Briards, and Pyrenean Shepherds seen most frequently. Sometimes there will be a Picardy Shepherd or a dog of a rare local strain, and occasionally a Rough Collie, Belgian Sheepdog or German Shepherd (when used in France, these latter work in a manner similar to the French and British breeds rather than in the manner seen at the HGH trials in Germany). There are now also trials specifically for Border Collies, using the ISDS course. The competition for the French National Championship is a traditional large-flock trial. Most recently, the French Championship was determined by the averaging together of three scores: two preliminary trials and a final championship trial. The French National Champion may be a Border Collie one year, a Beauceron the next.
-- Information on trials provided by Mr. Paul Le Goff, SOCIETE CENTRAL CANINE