The International Sheep Dog Society organizes five main trials each year within the UK and Ireland. But there are many hundreds of smaller, local trials within the UK and Ireland alone, and a few hundred more if you count up all around the world. You can find out where the smaller UK and Irish trials are held by looking on the News Trials Diary in this site.

The first recorded sheepdog trials were in the 1870's and in 1873 Scotland competed against Wales at Bala, North Wales. In 1906 the first ISDS International Trials were held in Scotland and these have continued to be an annual event.

The occasions give great enjoyment to spectators as they marvel at the movement of the dog and hear the whistled commands of the handler. While handlers and dogs love attending trials, there is a serious purpose. By testing the dogs’ skills we get to know whether the breeding and training is correct to do the job of looking after the sheep.

Find out what a sheepdog trial is.

We take great care over the welfare of the sheep and the dogs.

There are ideas on how to begin.

The ISDS Trials are the major UK and Irish competitions.

The World Trials are the premier world event.

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