A Guide to the Different Herding Trial Systems

Herding is one of the oldest working partnerships between humans and dogs. Long before dog sports existed, shepherds relied on skilled dogs to move livestock safely across farms and grazing land.

Over time, these practical farm skills evolved into organized trials and tests that allow handlers and dogs to demonstrate their ability to control livestock.

In the United States, several different organizations sanction herding events. Each has its own philosophy, course design, titles, and approach to evaluating a dog’s working ability.

Some systems emphasize traditional working stockdog skills, while others focus on breed preservation and sport competition.

Understanding the differences between these organizations can help handlers choose the program that best fits their dog and their goals.

Directory of Herding Organizations

American Kennel Club (AKC) – https://www.akc.org/sports/herding/
American Herding Breed Association (AHBA) – https://www.ahba-herding.org
United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA) – https://usbcha.com
Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) – https://www.asca.org
American Tending Breeds Association (ATBA) – https://www.atba-herding.org
French Herding Program (Belgian Shepherd Club of America) – https://www.bsca.info

American Kennel Club (AKC)

Learn more: https://www.akc.org/sports/herding/

The American Kennel Club is the largest purebred dog registry in the United States and oversees many canine sports, including herding.

AKC herding events were designed primarily to preserve the natural herding instincts of traditional herding breeds and provide a structured environment where dogs can demonstrate their working abilities.

The AKC program includes both tests and trials.

Herding Tests

These are introductory evaluations that determine whether a dog has natural instinct and basic control around livestock.

Examples include:

Herding Instinct Test
Herding Test (HT)
Pre-Trial Test (PT)

These tests are pass/fail evaluations rather than competitive events.

Herding Trials

Once a dog has passed the initial tests, it can compete in trials where it earns qualifying scores toward titles.

Common AKC herding titles include:

Started (HS)
Intermediate (HI)
Advanced (HX)
Herding Champion (HC)

Courses typically involve tasks such as gathering livestock, driving animals through panels, penning stock, and holding or sorting animals.

Trials are usually held in fenced arenas or fields using sheep, ducks, or cattle.

American Herding Breed Association (AHBA)

Learn more: https://www.ahba-herding.org

The American Herding Breed Association is one of the most respected independent herding organizations in the United States.

Founded in 1986, AHBA focuses specifically on herding behavior and practical livestock handling.

Philosophy

AHBA emphasizes:

Practical stock handling
Realistic ranch work
Evaluation of working ability

Many handlers appreciate AHBA because courses often resemble real farm tasks rather than purely sport-style obstacles.

AHBA Titles

AHBA offers several title tracks.

Herding Trial Dog (HTD)
Standard field trial titles:

HTD I – Started
HTD II – Intermediate
HTD III – Advanced

Herding Trial Arena Dog (HTAD)

HTAD I
HTAD II
HTAD III

Herding Ranch Dog (HRD)

HRD I
HRD II
HRD III

Dogs that reach the advanced level may earn the Herding Trial Champion (HTCh) title.

United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA)

Learn more: https://usbcha.com

The United States Border Collie Handlers Association governs traditional open-field sheepdog trials in the United States.

USBCHA trials closely follow the historic format developed in the United Kingdom.

Unlike many other herding organizations, USBCHA trials do not award titles. Instead, they operate purely as competitive events.

Typical Sheepdog Trial Course

A traditional sheepdog trial includes:

Outrun – the dog runs long distances to gather sheep
Lift – the dog begins moving the flock
Fetch – sheep are brought to the handler
Drive – sheep are driven through gates
Shed – selected sheep are separated
Pen – sheep are placed into a pen

These trials often occur in large open fields hundreds of yards long, making them one of the most demanding forms of stockdog competition.

Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)

Learn more: https://www.asca.org

The Australian Shepherd Club of America runs one of the oldest herding trial systems in the United States.

The program was originally created to promote the working ability of the Australian Shepherd, though many other breeds now compete.

Trial Philosophy

ASCA trials often emphasize:

Seeing the dog actively work stock
Natural problem-solving ability
Initiative from the dog

Rather than rigid course patterns, judges often reward dogs that demonstrate strong stock sense and control of livestock.

Livestock Used in ASCA Trials

Sheep
Cattle
Ducks

Because of this flexibility, many handlers enjoy ASCA trials as a way to see dogs demonstrate their natural working style.

American Tending Breeds Association (ATBA)

Learn more: https://www.atba-herding.org

The American Tending Breeds Association focuses on preserving the traditional European tending style of herding.

In tending systems, dogs move livestock along grazing routes rather than gathering them from long distances.

This type of work reflects the historic jobs of breeds such as:

German Shepherd Dogs
Belgian Shepherds
Briards
Bouviers des Flandres

ATBA trials help preserve this historic style of livestock management that is rarely seen in other herding programs.

French Herding Program

Learn more: https://www.bsca.info

The French herding system was developed in France to evaluate the working ability of shepherd dogs, particularly breeds such as the Belgian Shepherd.

In the United States, this program is most commonly promoted through the Belgian Shepherd community and organizations like the Belgian Shepherd Club of America.

Unlike many sport-style trials, the French program emphasizes:

Natural instinct
Livestock control
Cooperation between dog and handler
Realistic shepherd work

French Trial Levels

Many Belgian Shepherd handlers appreciate the French program because it closely reflects the historic tending and driving work these breeds performed on European farms.

How the Herding Organizations Differ

Organization	Primary Focus
AKC	Breed preservation and sport titles
AHBA	Practical livestock handling
USBCHA	Traditional sheepdog competition
ASCA	Natural working style and stock sense
ATBA	European tending-style herding
French Program	Traditional Belgian shepherd work