The Rough & Smooth Collie
Training Association
 

Herding tests for Rough and Smooth Collies

If any member is intending to seriously work their Collie with livestock it would be welcomed by the RSCTA as these breeds were originally developed for this activity and can make efficient working animals who enjoy their work. The RSCTA can provide these members with details of organisations which run controlled herding tests. The RSCTA would be delighted to receive any news or updates of members working their Rough or Smooth Collies in this particular activity as it is one of the under-represented activities for these versatile animals. Please contact Liz Beaumont for further information.




A word of caution...

The RSCTA committee would strongly recommend members who are not intending to work their Rough or Smooth Collies in herding to think carefully before putting their animal in for a herding test. Most Collie owners (and indeed any pet dog owners) spend much time training their dog to ignore livestock at all times for the safety of both the livestock and the dog. To then put the Collie in for a herding test could undo the training already undertaken to ensure the reliability of the dog with livestock and could cause confusion for the dog as to whether or not it is acceptable behaviour to chase sheep.
Please be careful.