DOGS DISPLAY SKILLS AT HERDING EVENT.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer As 2-year-old border collie border collie, breed of medium-sized, sheepherding dog developed in the British Isles. It stands about 18 in. (45.7 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 30 to 45 lb (13.6–20.4 kg). Lass listened to her master's commands and maneuvered three sheep from one pen around a course to another pen and back, the animal appeared to know it had done a good job. Lass was one of nearly 80 dogs competing Saturday during a stock dog trial, an annual two-day event organized by the Australian Shepherd The Australian Shepherd is a breed of working dog that was developed in the Western United States in the 19th century from several different breeds.[1]<ref name="ascasite" /><ref name="Coile" /> Despite its name, the breed, commonly known Club of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, and held at the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley Fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. . "I think this is really nice for people who enjoy this sport," said John Harvey, 39, of Oxnard, who brought Lass and her mother to the event. "We're all having a really great time." Harvey, the owner of two ranches, has had dogs since he was 19, but his interest in stock dog trials began about three years ago when a friend invited him to a similar event. "I really enjoyed it," said Harvey. "I knew my dogs could do that, so I jumped in and became a part of it." Harvey trains his own dogs after getting a few pointers from other trainers. He has eight dogs and uses some on his ranches. The dogs in the event are divided into several categories including beginners and intermediates and can work with ducks, sheep, cattle or all three. The dog, with help of the handler, will move the animals from one pen across the arena to another pen before taking them back to the pen where they started. "All these dogs have to be born with the instinct to want to move livestock," said Kyle Trumbull-Clark, course director for the Australian Shepherd Club of Southern California. According to Trumbull-Clark, people train dogs to move livestock because of their speed and ability to frighten the livestock. Among the dogs competing in the event included briards, Old English sheepdogs old English sheepdog, breed of large, wiry working dog developed in England in the early 19th cent. It stands from 21 to 25 in. (53.3–63.5 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 55 to 65 lb (24.9–29.5 kg). , Rottweilers, Shetland sheepdogs, Australian cattle dogs, and several types of collies. Mary Anderson of Lake View Terrace brought her 4-year-old briard Briard (brēärd`), breed of muscular, wiry working dog whose origins may be traced back to 12th-century France. It stands from 22 to 27 in. (55.9–68.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 70 and 80 lb (31.8–36.3 kg). named Tugs to Saturday's events and participated in the beginner's duck competition. The long-haired, tawny-colored dog weighing 95 pounds scurried around a fenced area as he attempted to get the ducks where his master commanded. "This is like practice for me," said Anderson. "These dogs aren't really common for this competition." The free event runs through today and is open to the public. CAPTION(S): PHOTO Photo (1-2--(1) ran in AV only--(2)--AV and SAC--color in AV) (1) Above, Joel Levinson and his Old English sheepdog Topper Topper house he purchases is haunted by the young couple who owned it previously and their dog. [Am. Lit., Cin., TV: Topper in Halliwell, 718] See : Ghost Topper Hopalong Cassidy’s faithful horse. at the stock dog trials Saturday at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. (2) At right, Ellen Amado of Lancaster guides her Australian shepherd Sparkle through duck herding. (3--SAC and AV) John Harvey's border collie Lass gets the sheep moving at the competition. The event will conclude today. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
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