Doing what they do best

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, August 6, 2006

SMOKEY POINT – About 50 border collies spent this past weekend chasing sheep around a farmer’s field near Smokey Point.

That might not sound unusual until it’s noted that the dogs were competing with each other in the sixth annual Border Collie Classic sheepdog trial.

The event attracted about 150 spectators Friday through Sunday, said organizer Lorri Schubert of Smokey Point.

The 30 dog handlers came from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Alaska and British Columbia.

“It’s one of the premier herding trials in the Northwest,” said handler Brian Ricards of Bellevue.

The dogs herd sheep through a variety of obstacles at a distance of up to 40 yards, guided by whistle commands.

“It began with some farmers bragging about their dogs,” Schubert said of the sport.

The dogs start out with a certain number of points and deductions are made for imperfections, Schubert said. Biting leads to automatic disqualification, she said.

Karen Child and her dog Jen of Culver, Ore., took the top place at the event

Prizes totaling $4,300 for six places were given out, with the overall winner receiving a handmade shepherd’s crook, Schubert said. The prize money comes from an annual fundraising event, entry fees and sponsorships.

Points are earned for the right to compete in the national championships.

Schubert and her partner Joe Haynes of Arlington have eight border collies and about 150 sheep for them to herd.

“This particular sport, they do it for themselves,” Schubert said of the dogs. “It’s what they’re bred to do.”