French Herding Trial Rules

Short overview of French trials:

The three levels are:

I -- for novice dogs, the course is limited to the most simple obstacles and tests

II -- for dogs already confirmed in use with the flock; success at this level allows the dog to obtain his "certificate of work with the flock."

III -- for dogs qualified in use with the flock; obtaining specified ratings at this level entitles the dog to higher certificates and the opportunity to compete in the National Championship trial.

I. "Pen or Sheepfold": all the exercises -- exit, reentry, "protection of the handler" and jump, for 25 pts.

II. "Difficult Passage": No difficult passage work, 0 pts.

III. "Management and Maneuver": The graze, the hold and the catching of a sheep, as well as being judged throughout the course, for 20 pts.

IV. "Stopping the Flock": No stops, 0 pts.

V. "Intelligence of Execution": Judged on all aspects: commands, obedience, activity-gentleness-initiative, for 30 pts.

TOTAL: 75 pts.

I. "Pen or Sheepfold": all the exercises, for 25 pts.

II. "Difficult Passage": difficult passages, for 15 pts.

III. "Management and Maneuver": The graze, the hold and catching of a sheep, as well as being judged throughout the course, for 20 pts.

IV. "Stopping the Flock": Stops, for 10 pts.

V. "Intelligence of Execution": Judged on all aspects, for 30 pts.

TOTAL: 100 pts.

I. "Pen or Sheepfold": all the exercises, for 25 pts.

II. "Difficult Passage": difficult passages, for 15 pts.

III. "Management and Maneuver": The graze, the hold and catching of a sheep, the car passage, the (optional) "work at a distance" if included, as well as being judged throughout the course, for 50 pts.

IV. "Stopping the Flock": Stops, for 20 pts.

V. "Intelligence of Execution": Judged on all aspects, for 30 pts.

TOTAL: 150 pts.

Level I and II trials use flocks of from 50 to 60 sheep (40 were sometimes used for the earlier trials, although larger numbers were strongly preferred). Level III trials use 80 or more. The present rules allow each group to be used only twice, although earlier flocks were used up to four times.

Courses are from 1,000 to 1,200 meters in length, with 25 to 30 minutes allowed.

On the subsections of the scoresheet, the points for that subsection are divided and allotted according to the judge's estimation of the relative difficult of the exercise: e.g., the exit may be given a value of 8 pts., the reentry a value of 7 pts, depending on the judge's view of the relative difficulty of the subsections on that particular course.

Level I trials are judged by a qualified judge or a trainee; Level II and III trials are judged by a qualified judge possibly assisted by a trainee; the National Championship trial is judged by three judges, one of which may be a trainee.

Scores are classified:

• Excellent: 75% and above of the total points available
  
• Very Good: 60% and above, up to but not including 75%
  
• Good: 50% and above, up to but not including 60%
  
• Nonqualifying: Less than 50%

(a) The "brevet" or "working certificate" is earned at Level II trials with a minimum score of 75% and at least 50% of each section. The brevet allows a dog to enter the "selective" or Level III trials, which lead to eligibility for the National Championship trial. It also can be used as one of the working certificates that are required for conformation champions.

(b) The "Certificate of Aptitutude for Herding Championship" (C.A.C.T.) , and its Reserve (R.C.A.C.T.), are earned on Level III courses, and require that the dog place lst or 2nd with at least 80% of the total score.

(c) The "Working Championship" (C.A.C.T.) can also be obtained by passing three times with a rating of "very good", under two different judges, on Level III courses.

Course descriptions:

I. The pen or sheepfold

The penwork is done by the dog under the active command of the handler. Handler apparently may enter the pen with the dog.
Exit -- calm, effective and timely.
Reentry -- calm and without jostling.

Near the reentry, the dog holds the flock in place while the handler opens the gate. During the reentry, the handler should remain at the corner of the gate and close it after he and the dog enter the pen. During the "protection" exercise after closing the gate, the handler simulates feeding and going around the paddock. The dog clears a passage.

At the beginning or end of the exercise, the handler places the dog between the flock and the gate; the handler exits, leaving the dog to "protect" (keep the flock back from the gate?). After closing the gate, the handler calls the dog over a hurdle/fence approximately 1 meter high.

II. Difficult passage

There should be at least two difficult passages, preferably three.

In the case of a bridge, the handler and dog both should cross it, because it represents a gorge too large or too deep to cross. In the case of other difficult passages, the handler places himself in the fashion that appears to be the best way of negotiating the passage.

Going around or past an obstacle brings about the loss of points for that obstacle and the handler isn't allowed to try again.

III. Management and maneuver

This test, judged throughout the course, is divided into five exercises:

a) pasture (graze), which may be square or elongated (marked by stakes at each corner if square, or stakes along the front if elongated). The jury (judge) appraises the function of the handler, the position of the dog in relation to the flock, the capacity of the dog to bring the flock into the graze and maintain it in place with calmness, efficiency and initiative.

b) holding the flock and catching a sheep -- during this time the dog contains the rest of the flock in the designated place, if possible on his own initiative

c) work at a distance (optional) (Level III only) -- the handler leaves the flock with the dog and goes to join the jury; the dog holds the flock in place on his own to earn maximum points. If the flock goes outside the limits or if the handler must command the dog to insure the flock stays in place, or the dog remains in place (not moving to contain the flock if necessary), the jury assesses a penalty. At the indication of the jury, the handler commands the dog to regather the group and bring them to him along the indicated path without jostling.

d) car passage (Level III only) -- on a real or simulated road. The road must be clearly delineated, with at least one side which the flock may "lean on" during the passage. In the case of the passage on an actual road where traffic can't be interrupted but only

e) movement is judged throughout. The dog will be noted for his ability to guide the flock between two exercises or obstacles, following the defined course, and the course points are assigned according to difficulty.

IV. Stopping the flock

The dog should be capable of stopping the flock in all circumstances and there should be at least two, placed at a natural place. It is important that the stop be done by the dog, not the handler; the dog must come to the front of the flock. After the flock stops, the handler checks ahead, then quickly continues, with the dog going around the flock to push at the rear or at least assure the control of a side.

V. Intelligence of execution

This is judged throughout, and divided into three subsections:

a) commands -- voice, gesture or whistle, will have a great influence on the behavior of the dog and the quality of his response. The jury appraises the vocabulary, clarity, force, intonation and number of commands.

b) obedience should be immediate, complete and definitive

c) the jury appraises the ability of the dog to gather, guide, stop or move the flock, as the handler demands, as well as the dog's ability to intervene alone (on its own initiative) and advisedly channel, stop or hold the flock in place, and regroup strays.

A brief grip is only allowed if necessary.

Point deductions:

I. Pen or sheepfold

     anticipates departure                       -2
     to hurried or too slow in work              -2 to -5
     allows reentry                              -2 to -5
     bad control, allows runaway of more than 
         30 meters (a little more than 30 yds.)  -2 to -5
     doesn't work, doesn't control sheep         -2 to -8
     doesn't keep the sheep back from handler
         when both are inside pen                -2 to -5
     doesn't jump                                -2 to -5
     allows a runaway of more than 50 meters     -5 to -10

II. Difficult passages

     sheep step out of limits                    -0.5 (to maximum of -5)
     poor approach                               -2 to -5
     dog poorly placed                           -2 to -5
     late in negotiating passage                 -2 to -5
     bad negotiation of passage                  -2 to -5
     intervention of handler (probably, handler 
         pushes sheep through, etc.)             -2 to -5
     loss of control exiting passage             -2 to -5
     flock goes around or doesn't pass through   -2 to -5

III. Management and maneuver

     "remote control" handling (at the graze)    -0.5
     dog poorly placed                           -1
     goes through the course too rapidly or too 
         slowly                                  -1 to -5
     late in putting the flock in place          -1 to -5
     difficulty in immobilizing the flock        -1 to -5
     tentativeness in catching/holding the 
         marked sheep                            -2
     choppy, winding, imprecise transit of the 
         course                                  -1 to -8
     scattering or jostling the sheep            -2 to -8
     loss of control, little work                -2 to -10
     movement of flock during "hold" and "stops" -5
     dog returns to handler during graze         -5
     complete escape of flock                    -10

IV. Stopping the flock

     a sheep that pushes past                    -1 (to a maximum of -5)
     sheep pull back too far (reverse)           -0.5
     slight overflow by flock, but controlled    -2 to -5
     stop done by the handler, not the dog       -2 to -8
     dog keeps working, doesn't stop             -2 to -8

V. Intelligence of performance

      a) commands 
         useless or not performed                -1 to -3
         too numerous, lacking in firmness       -1 to -3
         counter to sense                        -2 to -5
         recalling the dog on its abandoning 
             work                                -3
         correcting the dog                      -6

      b) obedience
         doesn't obey command                    -1
         late in obeying                         -1 to -3
         obeys counter to sense (?)              -2 to -5
         abandons the flock                      DISQUALIFICATION

      c) activity -- initiative -- gentleness
 
         wandering, chasing                      -1 to -3
         difficulty in asserting itself, 
             fearfulness                         -3
         cutting into the flock, scattering the 
             flock                               -3
         lack of interest in work, inattentive	 -2 to -5
         dog places itself poorly, allows 
             escapes                             -1 to -3
         doesn't move when ordered               -1 to -3
         unnecessary grip                        -1 (to a maximum of -5)
         brutality, rough gripping               -2 to -5

DISQUALIFICATIONS:

         abandoning the flock
         flagrant disobedience
         unjustified or dangerous bites
         frequent scattering of the flock
         fearfulness or aggressiveness
         failure to control the flock