SHEEP-DOG TRIALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 10

SHEEP-DOG TRIALS.

(Per United Pbess Association.) • G'HRISTCIIURCII, March 22. At the Christ-church sheep dog trials, the heading, bringing back, and yarding class, for which there were 46 entries, resulted as follows:—P. R. Pollock's Bovnc, first run 38 points, second run 39 points—total 77, 1; 11. T. Little's Dogn, first rim 38 points, second run 29 points— total, 67, 2; J". S. Kennedy's Maud, first rim 39 points, second run 27 points—total 66, 3; J. P. M'lntyre's Lass, first run 35 points, second run 23 points—total 68, 4; R. Fraser's Lilico, first, run 35 points, second run 20 points—total 55, 5. R. W. Trotter's The King also ran in the second round, scoring 36 points in the lirst run and 14 in the second, total 50. Boynn did two very fine performances, and wins Cooper's sheep dip challenge trophy, the champion gold* medal, and £25. The New South Wales dog Tweed, of Roxburgh, just missed getting into tho second round, having gained no points for yarding.

A splendid piece of work was recently performed by tho sheep dog Saxon, iwlonging to Mr Frank Bishop, of Appakaldree, Normanville, S.A., bred and broken by Mr Gerald S. Kenipc. Saxon was assisting his master to drive 130 unusually wild sheep through a, dense scrub. In tho thickest part of it the dog was missed. As the day was inicasely hotit was thought that ho had headed for the station in search of water. Mr Bishop's brother rode until 11 o'clock that night looking for the animal, but could not find him. Mr-.Frank Bishop felt sure thatSaxon had tho shesp somewhere, and next morning started out to look for him. The faithful canine was found staunchly guardJug the lost, ehecp against a closed gate'way on the road leading to the station, five miles from where he was missed tho previous day. Ho had taken the sheep this distance, piloted them through one fence, and kept by thorn for over 24 hours without a drink. In Mr Bishop's words: "Tho dog was footsore and tired out. It was a wonder ho stood the hardship of the intense heat, we experienced on that Friday: but he. was staunch, and saw the sheep safely landed in tho paddock with the rest." This is the fourth occasion on record that- dogs bred and trained by Mr Ivempe have, actuated by their own free will, guarded shee]) for 24 hours. That gentleman ha.s indeed reason 'to be proud of their sagacity and endurance. One of them—Tess—saved £1000 worth of stud sheep at Collingrove from destruction by fire through mustering them during tho night.