SHEEP DOG NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 45

SHEEP DOG NOTES.

STRATH-TAIERI TRIALS. The thirteenth annual trials of the StrathTaieri Collie Olub were held on May 15 and 16 under very favourable circumstances. The ground, which was kindly lent by Mr Bennett, proved a very good test for the dogs, and the sheep, which were from the Taieri Lake Station, were in eyery way satisfactory. The judge (Mr G. Ross), assisted by Mr Duncan as clerk, gave every satisfaction. There were four events on the programme, and the results were as follow: — Maiden Heading.. Nineteen entries. — Mr A. Guild's Fly, lj Mr C. Patterson's Meg and Mr R. Matheson's Laddie, 2; Mr A. Matheson's Moss, 4. Open Heading. Nineteen entries. —Mr D. Fraser's Help, 1; Mr A. M'Millan's Roy and Mr J. Trotter's Scott, 2; Mr A. Matheson's Ned, 4. Huntaway, Head, Bring Back, and Yard. —Mr J. Craig, jun.'e, Toss, 1; Mr' A. Matheson's Laddie, 2; Mr J. Trotter's Star, 3; Mr A. Gordon's Jack, 4. Open Huntaway. Ten entries.—Mr A. Matheson's Laddie, 1; Mr G Stewart's Sam, 2; Mr A. Gordon's Darkie, 3; Mr F. M'Rae's Glen, 4. Chain-stepping. Correct distance 14yds 2ft lOJin— Mr J. Turrtbull and Mr R. Gibson equal with 15 yards. Sheep guessing first day (correct weight, . 1531 b): Mr J. Henderson, Mr P. M'Padyen, and Mr P. James each 1521 b. Sheep guessing second day (correct weight 701 b): Mr A. Matheson, 70£lb; Mr j. Beattie. 70Alb; Mr J. Parker (Hindon), Mr J. Turnbull, 6°4lb.

Special Prizes.—Mr_ F. M'Rae's cup for dog scoring most points at meeting: Mr A. Matheson'e laddie. JMr Ross's £1 Is for fastest return in Huntaway: Mr A. Matheson's liaddie. Mr Messent's £1 Is for returned soldier gaining most points at meeting: Mr O. Stewart.. Mr Stewart's £1 Is for youngest competitor: Mr A. Gordon. Mr Walker's trophy for oldest competitor: Mr J- Turnbull, son. DOG- BOOTS. Dear "Terror," —Among my numerous inquiries for. dogs—and various points in connection with doggie matters is a rather Unique one—a client from Russell (Bay of Islands) requests the address of a maker of dog boots—or any information re same would be welcome. Now, not having had any experience! myself, perhaps some of your numerous readers might havo had—oven if you cannot give the desired information. In some localities considerable troublo is experienced with sore feet with dogg owing to a short, prickly, cutting grass that carpets the ground, and no doubt boots would prove of great service if obtainable. While penning your valu-, able columtis I would also be glad of a little information on one or two matters of judgment that has come prominently under review at recent trials. First, on the question of a dog "heading," when does the dog head its'" sheep? The practice says when that dog gets into such a position as naturally induces its sheep to move in the desired direction, and Mr "Practical" also prefers the dog to move straight away on to its quarry just as ho himself would do if about to stockrido in a mob of wild oattle or horses, when to giv<3 them even a moment's opportunity to ' pick up" their bearings means, if not disaster, endless

trouble. Against this standpoint we have many with different views, all perhaps with more or less sound arguments; but surely to contend that the dog must get into the desired position, start his sheep, and then stop ero ho "heads" is bordering on iaddism, and to maintain that a dog can "go out," "lift" its sheep, pull them into jing or "goal," and thero "steady" them, whereby fulfilling the terms and conditions required by the club to wiij its prizes under other judges, and yet not be entitled to points for heading (or, to use judges' own phrase, "never completed its head") and to dock points for "command," for dog not "stopping" is surely bordering on orankdom. Another point that naturally gives rise to a good bit of thought is in connection with points for work at yai\.s in a yard 3 event, for which certain points are allocated. Two dogs run close; the one's sheep land in ring in a fortunately good position for penning, sheep and dog both being well placed. The gate is opened and dog called on to- advance its charge, which it does directly, maintaining such a position that the sheep are walked straight into pen, gate gently closed, dog olose up to entrance. The other dog, though putting in a lot of very nice work indeed in its attempt to yard, several times having the sheep splendidly placed at entrance, nevertheless the sheep proved masters of the situation in so far as they were not yarded, and even more than once reached beyond "the ring." Now, which of these two dogs was entitled to most points for "work «t yards"? In connection with the first illustration the following questions might be asked by anyone not witnessing the work: —Did the man put the sheep in: Did the dog do anything it should not have done? Was it in an undesirable position? or, Would the sheep have gone in without the influence of the dog? To these "No" is simply the answer. These few questions, Mr "Terror," are not put in any carping spirit of criticism, for undoubtedly the judge was in good company in his judgment. —Black and White.