Working dogs to take centre stage at Korumburra

THE popularity of working dogs like Border Collies and Kelpies is on the rise.

Their instinct and skill for mustering livestock is second to none, and the value they bring to safe and effective farming is once again being realised.

They are also fierce competitors when put to the test in competitions.

This November, the best working dogs will be taking over Gippsland in two of the best working dog competitions in Victoria.

Korumburra Showgrounds will host the South Eastern Victorian Sheep Dog Trial on November 11 to 13.

The Berryden Sheep Dog Trial and Victorian Working Dog Arena Championship will be held from November 17 to 19 at the Boolarra Recreation Reserve.

At each event, more than 100 working dogs will be competing with their handlers.

Over the three days, they will take on more than 400 sheep, each dog having to work three sheep at a time around a set course.

The pressure builds as each dog has only 15 minutes to complete the course and is judged on its ability to handle the sheep through obstacles.

Spectators will be mesmerised as dog, sheep and handler work in synergy to combine instinct, skill and patience to find out who will be champion dog.The dogs are the stars of the show.

While they may seemingly look alike, each one is a character unto their own and it shows as they contend with the often uncooperative sheep.

The sport of working sheep dog trials arose from healthy competition between farmers and their dogs and, over time, has become a worldwide sport.

The purpose of the sheep dog trial is to demonstrate the skill of the handler in positioning the dog to where it’s required and guiding the dog’s natural instincts while it’s herding three sheep around a course consisting of three obstacles and a pen.

The course is intended to show the heightened skills of the sheep dog required in a typical working environment.

Sheep dog trials are used by farmers and working dog handlers to hone the instinct and skill of their dogs, so they become valuable workers for herding and mustering livestock.

The South Eastern Victorian Sheep Dog Trial is a staple event in Gippsland.

For three days, the Korumburra Showground’s oval will give up its role as the town’s football and cricket ground and be taken over by working dogs and sheep.

Competitors from all over Victoria and interstate will camp out at the showgrounds, creating a social and engaging event.

The Victorian Sheep Dog Arena Championship is a prestigious event that has working dogs scoring points towards the Australian Dog of the Year competition. Finalists from the Berryden trial will fight it out this year at Boolarra to become the Victorian Sheep Dog Arena Champion.