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Rules governing North Wales Sheep Dog Society & Affiliated Societies trials

All trials are run under the latest ISDS rules for trials. These may be downloaded from the ISDS website

https://www.isds.org.uk/trials/sheepdog-trials/rules-for-trials/

In addition all competitors must abide by any rules stipulated by the organising Trials Committee

 Please also note the following

  1. The organising Trials Committee reserve the right to refuse an entry.
  2. Competitors are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and behaviour at a trial and any misdemeanor or abuse will be investigated by the Trials Committee and render them liable to be reported to the NWSDS Trustees Management Committee to consider taking any disciplinary action.
  3. The Judge(s) will decide the time to be allowed for the trial.
  4. The Judge(s) are not to be interfered with or spoken to except through members of the organising Trials Committee.
  5. Any competitor who interferes or speaks to a Judge directly, makes themselves liable to immediate disqualification.
  6. The Timekeeper and Judge should be in separate accommodation and the Judge must not act as Timekeeper as well. The Timekeeper must be situated in reasonable proximity to the Judge.
  7. The Judges are empowered to direct any competitor showing insufficient merit to retire, bearing in mind the necessity to safeguard the welfare of the dog(s) and sheep.
  8. The Judges’ decision is final providing their conduct is in accordance with the ISDS rules.
  9. Judges are expected to give points gained or lost at the end of the trial to competitors who request them through the Trial’s Secretary.
  10. During and after the trial. “Competitors or their agents are prohibited from approaching a Judge to seek to discuss or influence the award of points. Such an approach is gross misconduct and will render them liable to investigation” ISDS rules for trials 6.2 zc.
  11. A whistle or bell should be used to call off a competitor when their   time has elapsed.
  12. A minimum of 15 sheep should be in the release pen at all times and not let out for any run unless joined by more sheep.
  13. All competitors are responsible for keeping their sheep after they have completed their run.
  14. All competitors are responsible for the cost of an injury caused to the sheep used in the trial by their dog(s).
  15. Bitches in season are permitted to run but the organising Trials Committee may make such restrictions as they think fit or alter the order of running so that other competitors are not adversely affected.
  16. Any objections against any dog or bitch in any Class must be lodged with the organising Trials Committee, in writing, accompanied by £10, before the termination of the trial. The fee will be refunded if the objection is sustained.
  17. Any competitor running a dog or bitch not eligible for a Class will be reported to the NWSDS Trustees Management Committee to consider taking any disciplinary action.
  18. Any dogs used at the letting out pen at the annual NWSDS Championships (incl. Class 2 and Nursery final) should be easily identifiable e.g. by wearing a bright / florescent dog coat / jacket (added 2023). Affiliated Societies are encouraged to adopt the same rule.
  19. Trial organisers should note the Society’s advice “Safeguarding the welfare of dogs and sheep” available on the website (added 2023). 20. It is recommended that a pen (means of containment with a gate) and a shed or single be included if practicable in all Open and Class 2 trials (added 2023).
  20. It is recommended that a pen (means of containment with a gate) and a shed or single be included if practicable in all Open and Class 2 trials (added 2023).
  21. No sheep are to be run twice at the Society Championships double fetch final or the Nursery final (added 2024).

Trials Societies please also note

  1. The Society encourages trials to notify the secretary of donations given to charitable causes so that they can be reported..
  2. The Society will provide financial support, if requested (£50 per trial) for any  Class 3 or dedicated non-competitive beginners trials either held on their own or following a local class or Nursery Heat..

Highlighted ISDS rules 

3.2 b. For a trial to be considered a Qualifying Trial for the National it must not be run as part of a novice or nursery trial and it must be open to all with no unreasonable restriction or qualification, either geographical or in any other way. A minimum of 25 dogs must compete at the Trial. The course must be a National style course that includes a drive element. The trial must be advertised on the ISDS website at least one week before the trial date, or details published in a copy of the local  agricultural press (in Southern Ireland this being the Farmers Journal) with publication being on a date before the trial date.

5.1 i. The Judges are empowered to direct any competitor showing insufficient merit to retire, bearing in mind the necessity to safeguard the welfare of the dogs and sheep.

5.1 o. The Judges’ decision is final providing their conduct is in accordance with the ‘’Rules for Trials’’.

6.2 zb. Competitors are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and behaviour at a trial and any misdemeanor or abuse will be investigated by the trials Committee and render them liable to a report to Council.