International Sheep Dog Society

I.S.D.S. English National President Timothy Longton, pictured with his wife Linda.

The I.S.D.S. English National Vice President is Dick Roper 

The International Sheep Dog Society has just held its centenary in 2006, after being founded in 1906 by some enthusiastic Scotsmen and Englishmen from the Borders. The first International Sheep Dog Trials were held that year in Gullane in Scotland and have been held annually ever since except in the war years (and 2001, because of foot and mouth disease). By 1922, the National system of qualification was instigated, with Wales joining Scotland and England and by 1926, the International became the three day event that it is today, with a Supreme Championship. Ireland joined in the 1960's, achieving a full team by the 1990's.

With the introduction of the pet passport, there was demand from sheepdog handlers from all over the world to compete against the home nations. This led to the I.S.D.S. World Trials which are held every three years, the first was in Bala, North Wales (2002), the second was in Tullamore in Ireland (2005), and the third was held in Llandeilo in South Wales in 2008. The fourth will be held at Lowther Estates in Cumbria in 2011, hosted by England.

Every year, the International Sheep Dog Society holds National Sheepdog trials in each of the four home nations, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The fifteen top-scoring competitors in each nation form a team that goes forward to represent their country at the 'International' in September. To get in their country's team is the aim of many sheepdog triallers, to do so is prestigious, and to do well at the International is even better. Not only is there a team event, but the individual winner becomes the International Supreme Champion. The great thing about the Nationals is the variety of locations in which they are held, taking sheepdog enthusiasts all over the country to beautiful places, full of interest, places that would not otherwise be visited by busy farming folk. 

The National, International Trials and World Trials, as well as the hundreds of local sheepdog trials held annually, provide an arena for all to appreciate the benefits of a well-trained dog. These demonstrations show farmers and shepherds the true value of good work dogs with subsequent improvements in standards of stock management. There is much debate between stockmen and triallists (many of whom fall into both descriptions) that a trial dog can be a weaker type of ‘Saturday' dog suited to winning trials rather than doing a day's work. However, the dogs that show better performances continuously, particularly at National and International level, are those dogs that work everyday for a living on farms and with shepherds. Their skilled handlers polish off their working skills to perfect a high standard of workmanship that is the envy of those who work with sheep throughout the world.

The I.S.D.S. is primarily a body of purists who never lose sight of the chief objective of the society, which is to stimulate public interest in the shepherd and his calling, and to procure the better management of stock by improving the sheepdog. No test is ever introduced in a trial that would not be met in the course of a collie's work at home on the farm and on the hills. If a particular trait becomes detrimental to a breed, man usually learns from his mistake and improvement generally follows. It is the ability to work stock that counts, and it will always be recognised that plenty of strength and power is vital in the working dog. All can benefit from trials as training and breeding is greatly encouraged, with the I.S.D.S. controlling a stud book where the dogs are performance bred, rather than on their looks or ability to win in the show ring. This is paramount, if the sheepdog's highly tuned instincts to work stock are to be retained for the future.