By Dr Clive Dalton The Long Head This is a trial for Heading Dogs, where the dog has to ‘sight’ the sheep at a long distance, move them and then bring them to the handler in a straight line. Three sheep are always used in trials in New Zealand as this is the most difficult … Read more
Compiled by Clive Dalton and John Gordon Imagine yourself without a name? It would be unbearable and extremely dangerous. You couldn’t function and you’d be an accident waiting to happen because your name is an “alerting device”. Names provide information, colour, warmth and feelings to a relationship between humans or man and dog, as well … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton History Photo of ‘Old Hemp’ bred in Northumberland (UK) and now has his DNA in dog trial and working dogs around the world. Dog trials have been part of New Zealand life since the establishment of sheep farming. The late Neil Rennie’s research found that the first NZ trial was probably … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton In New Zealand the term ‘heading dog’ or ‘eye dog’ is used to describe dogs bred to go around sheep and gather them into a group, and then keep a close watch or watch on them to stop them escaping. Origins New Zealand heading dogs have been bred mainly from the … Read more
History Photo of ‘Old Hemp’ bred in Northumberland (UK) and now has his DNA in dog trial and working dogs around the world. Dog trials have been part of New Zealand life since the establishment of sheep farming. The late Neil Rennie’s research found that the first NZ trial was probably held at Wanaka in 1867 … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Genetics or environment – which is more important? This is the old question of which is more important – nature or nurture? Is it the dog’s breeding (its genetic makeup) or the way it is trained and cared for? Both are important and no amount of training will make a top dog if … Read more