An Explanation of Herding Titles

submitted by Linda Rorem

American Herding Breeds Association (AHBA)

Trial Program: At the trial level, numerical scoring and class placements are given, with a qualifying score required, similar to obedience competitions. Two legs under two different judges are required for each of the three levels. Titles are earned sperately for the different types of stock, with an initial after the title indicatiing the type of stock on which the title was earned. The three levels of HTD have standardized courses with free-standing obstalces. The three levels of HRD involve ranch and farm courses which vary individually in layout while meeting specified requirements.

HTD I-Herding Trial Dog I. The started level, standard course.

HTD II-Herding Trial Dog II. The intermediate level, standard course.

HTD III-Herding Trial Dog III. The advanced level, standard course.

HRD I, HRD II, HRD III-Herding Ranch Dog. Levels as above, earned seperately on varying ranch/farm courses.

HTCh.-Herding Trial Champion. After an advanced title has been completed, a dog may earn a championship by obtaining 10 scores of 80 or above at the advanced level.

Test Program: At the test level, judging is on a pass/not pass basis, with no numerical scoring or class placemets. Legs for the same title may be earned on different types of stock, with small initials after the title indicating the type of stock on which the title was earned. Two legs are required for the titles, under two different testers.

HCT-Herding Capability Tested. The first leg of the HCT may be a basic instinct test, with the tester handling the dog. The second leg requires a little additional training and consists of simples passes across the small arena with a stop and recall. For the second leg, as with all tests and trials other than the first leg of the HCT, the dog must be handled by the owner or a handler designated by the owner.

JHD-Junior Herding Dog. The JHD also requires two legs, but the legs are identical. The stock are taken around the arena through a simple course.

Australian Shepherd Club of American (ASCA)

At ASCA trials, numerical scoring and class placements are given, with a qualifying score required. Two legs under two different judges are required for each of the three levels. Titles are earned seperately on each type of stock, with an initial after the title indicating the type of stock on which the title was earned, and may be earned on either or both of two slightly differing standard courses. ASCA has no testing program, but has a Ranch Dog Inspection program where a judge observes the dog at its regular work; if the dog passes the inspection, it earns the title Ranch Dog (RD). There is also a Ranch Trial Dog (RTD) title, earned on a ranch trial course which varies from place to place; a dog previously must have earned an OTD, ATD, or RD to compete in ranch trials.

STD-Started Trial Dog. The started level.

OTD-Open Trial Dog. The intermediate level.

ATD-Advance Trial Dog. The advanced level.

WTCh.-Working Trial Champion. The championship is awarded when a dog has earned an advanced title on each of three types of stock (sheep, cattle and ducks)

American Kennel Club (AKC)

Trial Program: At the trial level, numerical scoring and class placements are given, with a qualifying score required, similar to obedience competitions. For each of the three levels, three legs under three different judges are required. There are three standard courses. Legs for the same title may be earned on different types of stock and on different courses, and titles do not indicate on what type of stock or on what course the title was earned.

HS-Herding Started. The started level.

HI-Herding Intermediate. The intermediate level.

HX-Herding Excellent. The advanced level.

HCH.-Herding Champion. After an advanced title has been completed, a dog may earn a championship by obtaining 15 points through placing at the advance level, as with the Obedience Trial Championship.

Test program: At the test level, judging is on a pass/not pass basis, with no numerical scoring or class placements. Two legs are required for the titles, under two different testers. Legs for the same title may be earned on different types of livestock and titles do not indicate on what type or types of stock the title was earned.

HT-Herding Tested. Simples passes across the small arean with stop and recall. Both legs are identical. A little basic training is required.

PT-Pre-trail Tested. The stock are taken around the arena through a simple course.