Incredible abilities
You can only say “woof” to these dogs
The scene at Unterfrauenhaid: Europe's best herding dogs amazed us with their ability to bring runaway sheep back to the flock or to their "handler".
A whistle or a short command and off they go! The five sheep are 300 meters away and the dog sprints towards them at monkey-like speed. He has 15 minutes to complete the exercise - i.e. to bring the sheep back to his mistress or master, known as the handler in herding dog jargon, in a straight line through a course. He has to drive the sheep through gates and help load them into a trailer. If possible, he should then lead them back to the starting point and place them in a ring with a diameter of 36 meters. An important criterion: neither the dog nor the handler may touch the sheep.
80 sheep and 28 dogs in action
According to organizer Günter Stinakovits, 80 sheep and 28 dogs, all Border Collies, were in action yesterday. In addition to Austrians, Czechs, Italians, Poles and Slovaks also took part in the "Frahoader Trial 2024" herding dog tournament, which served as a qualifier for the European Championships at Präbichl in Styria in August. "These competitions are there to compare the dogs' skills in sheep herding, to raise the level of training of the dogs and their handlers and to assess the shepherds' skills in handling dogs and sheep," says Stinakovits.
Border Collies are predestined to work as "sheepdogs". It almost seems as if they enjoy the job immensely. "They have this innate instinct, are very docile and willing. And the talent is anchored in the breed, it is passed on from generation to generation."
The competition, which ends today at 4 p.m. with the award ceremony, will be presided over by judge Nigel Watkins, a runner-up world champion in herding dog sport from Wales. Will the next competition in Unterfrauenhaid in September be just as international?
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