South African Sheepdog Association
Encyclopedia
Sheepdog trial
A Sheepdog trial is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Such events are particularly associated with hill farming areas, where sheep range widely on largely unfenced land...
s) that are held by regional clubs during the year and maintaining the stud
Stud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
book to manage the registration of sheepdogs in South Africa. It also works with the regional clubs in an effort to further the spread of interest in sheepdogs as useful working resources in the life of the stock farmer and to encourage handlers to participate in competition. Competition is seen as a way to maintain the standard of breeding and training of working sheepdogs.
History
Karoo
The Karoo is a semi-desert region of South Africa. It has two main sub-regions - the Great Karoo in the north and the Little Karoo in the south. The 'High' Karoo is one of the distinct physiographic provinces of the larger South African Platform division.-Great Karoo:The Great Karoo has an area of...
came together to discuss the future of the sheepdog in South Africa. The inaugural meeting, with 13 members present, was held at Union High School in Graaff Reinet
Graaff Reinet
Graaff-Reinet is a town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is the fourth oldest town in South Africa, after Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Swellendam.-History:...
and Mr Bun Kingwill was elected as the first president of the association.
During the South African championship of that year, "Tess" of Mr Billy Kingwill became the first South African champion under the watchful eye of the judge, Mr Henry Hartzenberg of Graaff Reinet.
Since the inauguration of SASDA a South African championship has been held each year.
Over time the course has also changed, to upgrade the standard and difficulty to improve the dog's working ability. In the beginning the course was very much like the ones used in Australia but gradually changed to the English version.
The current course with the double lift, which has been implemented in 2001, has been taken over virtually as is from the one used for the international championship in the United Kingdom and in so doing putting South African dogs and handlers on the same foot as their overseas counterparts.
Through the years the South African Sheepdog Association still strives toward its main objective – to introduce farmers and other interested people to sheepdogs as a labour saving force. This is done through demonstrations and courses, as well as competitions, where breeding success is tested and the best breeding material selected according to working ability.
The previous logo appears on the right.
Structure
The association is made up of a number of regional clubs, loosely based on the provinces and regions of South Africa, together with a central office responsible for the maintenance of the registration of dogs and breeders.Dog of the Year
Each club typically holds one trialSheepdog trial
A Sheepdog trial is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Such events are particularly associated with hill farming areas, where sheep range widely on largely unfenced land...
a year. They normally run for two to three days and are usually arranged in such a way as to give each dog at least two opportunities to compete. Trials that comply with certain standards, including a minimum entry, will be able to advertise as 'Dog of the Year' (DOY) trials. Competitors taking part in these trials will be able to accumulate points towards the DOY competition.
Nationals
Once a year a national trial is held. It is generally referred to as 'The Nationals'. Handlers all compete on the same trial field on an equal footing and after a number of rounds the most successful dog is awarded the title of National Champion. At the same event the dog that has accumulated the most points at 'Dog of the Year' trials since the last Nationals competition is awarded the title of South Africa Dog of the Year.Categories
During club competition dogs compete in three different categories: juniors, seniors and top dogs. Juniors don't do the more challenging tests of skill like shedding and must win a junior trial to qualify for seniors. To qualify for top dogs a dog must win a senior competition and attain a score of at least 90% of the points on offer on the same run. The course for top dogs is more of a test. It includes narrow drive gates and may include a double lift or some other additional test.Beginners
Most club trials include a further category: beginners. Any dog can compete in a beginner competition. To qualify for beginner the handler must have never competed in any other trial category. This category was introduced to encourage novices to become part of the family of competitors.International Links
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and the USA have been invited to come and judge important trials, most often the Nationals. The 2006 Nationals were judged by Dick Roper from England. Most international judges invited to travel to judge trials are also invited to run workshops to encourage the sharing of ideas.
Unfortunately South African dogs are not allowed to compete in Europe without first completing 6 months of quarantine but South African dogs have competed in the USA. In 2005 Faansie Basson and Wally Ward represented South Africa in the USA. At the Meeker
Meeker, Colorado
The Town of Meeker is a Statutory Town that is the county seat and the most populous town of Rio Blanco County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 2,242 at the U.S. Census 2000. The town is largely an agricultural community, located in the wide fertile valley of the White River in...
Classic Faansie Basson finished 8th in the final with Lad.
Handlers have brought dogs from Europe to compete in South Africa in the past. To do this, before they travel to South Africa, they need to arrange to sell the dogs they bring to local handlers after the competition so that they can leave them behind when they leave.
Occasionally handlers from neighbouring countries will compete in regional trials although this is more the exception than the rule.
SASDA Committee/Office 2007
President: Mark TrollipVice-president: Izak Hattingh
Registration Officer: Hennie Ferreira
Additional Members: Faansie Basson, Andrew Philip
Office & National Secretary: Martie Ferreira
Club Secretaries & Representatives
Hartebeesberg: Kathleen Ward (sec/rep)Karoo
Karoo
The Karoo is a semi-desert region of South Africa. It has two main sub-regions - the Great Karoo in the north and the Little Karoo in the south. The 'High' Karoo is one of the distinct physiographic provinces of the larger South African Platform division.-Great Karoo:The Great Karoo has an area of...
: Izak Hattingh (sec/rep)
Midlands: Billy Colborne (rep)
Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
: Roy Lewis (sec), Jill Rankin (rep)
Northern Cape
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of an international park shared with Botswana...
: Erika Burger (sec), Christoff Vermeulen (rep)
North Eastern Cape: Tobie Lubbe (rep)
Pampoenboere: Christo Nel (sec), Kobus du Toit (rep)
Trans-Oranje: Martie Ferreira (sec), Chantal Reniers (rep)
Western Province: Pippa Philip (sec/rep)
Witwatersrand
Witwatersrand
The Witwatersrand is a low, sedimentary range of hills, at an elevation of 1700–1800 metres above sea-level, which runs in an east-west direction through Gauteng in South Africa. The word in Afrikaans means "the ridge of white waters". Geologically it is complex, but the principal formations...
: Carol-Ann Loxton(sec/rep)
Current Title Holders
2007 Winners:- SA Dog of the Year: Jill – Faansie Basson
- Reserve Dog of the Year: Jan – Faansie Basson
- Junior Dog of the Year: Jay – Ragni Pretorius
- SA National Champion: Jan – Faansie Basson
- Reserve National Champion: Jill – Faansie Basson
- SA Brace Champion: Edge & Tan – Pippa Philip
- Reserve Brace Champion: Jan & Lad – Faansie Basson
- Best Female Handler: Ragni Pretorius
- Best Male Handler: Faansie Basson
- Inter-Provincial Winner: Western Province
See also
- Sheepdogs
- Sheepdog TrialsSheepdog trialA Sheepdog trial is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Such events are particularly associated with hill farming areas, where sheep range widely on largely unfenced land...
- Working DogsWorking dogA working dog refers to a canine working animal, i.e., a type of dog that is not merely a pet but learns and performs tasks to assist and/or entertain its human companions, or a breed of such origin...
- International Sheep Dog SocietyInternational Sheep Dog SocietyInternational Sheep Dog Society was formed with the intention of increasing interest in securing the better management of livestock by improving the shepherd's dog. This remains the intention today. Without a good working dog, the shepherd's work on both the hills and the lowlands would be...