CHAPTER' 



TRIALS WITH SHEEP THE FIRST MEETING CHIEF 

 GATHERINGS NORTH OF ENGLAND AND WALES THE 

 QUEEN PRESENT A TYPICAL TRIAL DESCRIPTION OF 

 THE COMPETING DOGS RULES, REGULATIONS, AND 

 GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 



|lNCE the trials of shepherds' dogs were instituted 

 at Bala, in Wales, by Mr. R. J. Lloyd Price, of 

 Rhiwlas, Mr. F. Parmeter, and Mr. T. Ellis, in 

 1873, similar meetings have become fairly popular in other 

 parts of the country that they have not become more so 

 causes some little astonishment. The British public is 

 usually ready to patronise any sport or amusement that 

 bears any interesting feature, especially where animals 

 are concerned. As a means of observing the intelligence 

 of the dog, these collie trials have no equal. The sagacity 

 of the shepherd's companion can thereby be tested to its 

 utmost, without in the slightest degree putting the dog to 

 any unusual exertion, or distressing it or the sheep which 

 are used for the purpose. On a fine day no more 

 interesting sight need be desired than to see a number of 

 highly-trained shepherds' dogs one after another driving 

 and working a little flock of sheep in an almost perfect 



