Lessons in Reading Sheep

First published in the 2011 OBCC newsletter, compiled by various sources as per the editor
Photo credit: Norma de Rose

As young children, one of the first things we are taught to do in school is read. This lifelong skill…

Read more

Sheepdogs, fiddles, and putting yourself out there

By Kathy Keats


I love playing the fiddle. I’m a relative beginner, largely self-taught, and don’t have a natural musical ear.

I practice and play almost daily, but have hit a plateau the last several months…because I was comfortable in…

Read more

The Challenge of Herding and Motherhood

We asked three young Ontario herders about the challenge of balancing family life with young children and pursuing sheep herding. They were asked to consider life in the sport before kids, changes they faced during pregnancy and in the early…

Read more

Series on Interviews with Judges - Lorna Savage

Back in 2015, OBCC did a series of interviews with judges from Canada, the US and the UK. We have resurrected the questions and over time will put the questions to a variety of current judges. Here is the second…

Read more

Series on Interviews with Judges - Lee Lumb

Back in 2015, OBCC did a series of interviews with judges from Canada, the US and the UK. We have resurrected the questions and over time will put the questions to a variety of current judges. Here is the first…

Read more

Sheep for Sheepdog Training

by Viki Kidd
Photo credit also to Viki

Wool sheep? Hair sheep? Mixed breeds?  What is the best kind or breed of sheep for training sheepdogs?

This is a question that many a handler/trainer have mused over and debated with…

Read more

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Stock Dog Herding

By Celeste Lacroix
Photo credit to Lisanne Moore

What is Artificial Intelligence?

According to Wikipedia, Artificial intelligence (AI), in its broadest sense, is intelligence exhibited by machines, particularly computer systems.

Some high-profile applications of AI include advanced web search engines…

Read more

A Champion Retires - Tracy Hinton and Lad

By Susan Shipton
Photo credits to Patricia MacRae

At the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials in August of 2024, I sat on the hill and watched Tracy Hinton run Lad in their last trial. Her partner for close to ten years…

Read more

L&D Lambing Clinic at Shepherd's Crook

By Farrah Federau

*Photo credits to Susan Moore and Anne Wheatley

The day dawned bright with no rain, for which I was thankful since it's over two hours for me to make it to Shepherd's Crook farm. I had eagerly…

Read more

Competing in Arena Trials

By Corey Perry

I’d like to thank Lynn Johnston for asking me to submit an OBCC blog article regarding arena trials and my Involvement in arena trials, which have become very popular with the sheepdog trialing scene in the west.

Read more