Maybe They Need to Train the Sheep?

In 2008 the UK Border Collie Club decided to embrace work and passed a rule that Border Collies can be made full champions only if they first pass a "limited field trial".

And what is a limited field trial?  Well it appears to have the essential elements of work.  As the Border Collie Club of Great Britain notes:

The Herding Test consists of five principal elements - Outrun, Lift, Bring/Fetch, Inspection and Drive - working a group of five to ten sheep.

So far so good.

But wait, there's a joker in the deck. The Border Collie Club of Great Britain's web site goes on to note that:

Following a review of the initial test in October 2008, details of the requirements have been clarified. Dogs need to pass overall but do not need to pass each section; the stated objective of the Herding Test is 'to assess a dog's instinct to herd sheep in a controlled manner and under instruction of the handler'. As it is the dog's herding ability which is being tested, dogs may be handled by anyone, not necessarily the owner.

Right. 

If the test is too tough, don't ask why we do not have dogs and owners that can complete it, but instead soften up the tests and allow professional handlers and trainers, some of whom are so good at training a dog they could get a Jack Russell to qualify for this herding test.

Nontheless, how many dogs have actually qualified since 2008? Just nine.

Welcome to the world of Barbie Collies -- dogs for frustrated hairdressers and pretenders.

Meanwhile, in Carbondale, Colorado the 2011 National Sheepdog finals are now over. No shortage of honest working dogs there, and not too many pretenders in evidence, I imagine!

Wales.  At rest in the field of the Lord.

.