BillieNZ Posted July 22, 2012 Report Share Posted July 22, 2012 Found this last night, thought you guys might be interested. Hope you can watch these videos outside of New Zealand! There are usually 4 events at each trial: the Long Head, the Short Head and Yard, the Zig-Zag Huntaway and the Straight Huntaway events. Heading dogs (silent working dogs, evolved in NZ from border collies) compete in the heading events; and huntaways (evolved in NZ from border collies and various barking sheep dog breeds) compete in the huntaway events. LONG HEAD The competitor starts his dog from a marked ring and the dog heads 3 sheep on a hill 300 to 600 metres away. The dog then pulls them into the ring in as straight a line as possible and holds them stationary to the judge's satisfaction, all within a time limit of between 10 and 15 minutes. SHORT HEAD AND YARD The competitor starts his dog from a marked quad and heads 3 sheep between 150 and 300 metres away and pulls them to the quad. Instead of holding them stationary as in the Long Head, the competitor and the dog together move them along a 20 metre wide drive way, which is marked by a series of pegs; through a pair of hurdles and then along between a second drive way. At this point the competitor goes to the yard, opens the gate and stays there while commanding his dog to yard the sheep. The run is completed when the gate is shut on the sheep, all to the judge's satisfaction and within a time limit of 10 to 15 minutes. ZIG-ZAG HUNT The competitor starts his dog from a marked quad. Three sheep are liberated in front of them and the dog then uses his bark to hunt 3 sheep up a hill for about 200 to 300 metres. The course is set between 3 pairs of markers which are 20 metres apart. These pairs of markers are offset to test the dog's ability to slew sheep; that is to force a change of direction. The run is completed when the sheep pass between the top set of markers, to the judge's satisfaction and within the given time limit. STRAIGHT HUNT This event is the same as the Zig-Zag Hunt except that there is only one set of markers set 20 metres apart at the top of the course. The dog aims to hunt the sheep from the starting point, in as straight a line as possible, through the top set of markers. The huntaway's role is to shift sheep with a steady flow of noise directed at the sheep. It should not turn back towards the competitor or, in any way, take its attention off the sheep. Any hunt run should be controlled and progressive, demonstrating the dog's ability to "hunt". - From New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association Straight Hunt Long Head Zig Zag Hunt Short Head and Yard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynthia P Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Cool thanks Cynthia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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