A Typical Trial Ground. 107 



the direction indicated by the arrows on the far side of the 

 flags to D, a pen of hurdles into which the sheep have to 

 be driven. The judges and officials stand at C, a position 

 from which they can observe all the work. 



This trial ground should not be level like a racecourse; 

 it is better more or less undulating ; with a footpath or 

 two running across ; a dry burn or ghyll to pass over ; a 

 gap or opening in a hedge or fence to be driven through. 

 Roughish land is best of all, even if it lay along a hill 

 side, a commencement of the task being to drive the 

 sheep up the incline, and away from the shepherd. Then 

 along the outside or far side of the flags to the boundary 

 flag, which must be properly rounded, and so on the far 

 side of other flags on the return journey, to three hurdles 

 forming a pen, with the fourth hurdle away, leaving an 

 opening. Through the latter the little flock has to be 

 sent, the worker of the dog being allowed to assist as 

 he likes, without, however, touching the sheep. Until now 

 the shepherd has worked his collie from the spot where it 

 was originally let loose, and sent to find the sheep which 

 had been separated from a flock inclosed and out of sight. 

 Were the whole of the sheep in view of those to be driven 

 the latter would make back to them, and totally refuse to be 

 taken as intended. 



As to the sheep : These ought to be either of the Welsh 

 breed, the black or of some grey-faced Scotch variety, or 

 Herdwicks, taken from various flocks. Each dog drives 

 three different sheep, two being from one farm, and the 

 third from another. This arrangement makes the task 

 more difficult, the sheep not knowing each other, and when 

 one breaks away considerable skill is required to get it to 

 its companions again. Sometimes the latter cannot be 



