JUNIOR HERDING DOG TESTS

The Junior Herding Dog program, for dogs at the beginning levels of training, is run on a noncompetitive pass/not pass system, and leads to the title "Junior Herding Dog" (JHD).

1. Junior Herding Dog tests may be held in conjunction with Trials or in conjunction with Herding Capability Tests. The sanction fee for a Trial or a Herding Capability Test will also include the Junior Herding Dog test. Only if a Junior Herding Dog test is held by itself will there need to be a separate sanction form submitted along with a separate sanction fee. The AHBA Herding Trial Program rules apply to Junior Herding Dog Tests as indicated below:
   1. Sanction of Events, paragraphs 1-6 on pages 1 and 2.
   2. Organization and Recording, paragraphs 1-12 on pages 2 and 3, except that: With respect to paragraph 8, Test Recording Forms are used rather than Trial Recording forms. With respect to paragraph 9, if a JHD test is held in conjunction with a Herding Capability Test or as a stand-alone event, Test Report forms are used rather than Trial Report forms. Trial Report Forms may be used if a JHD test is held in conjunction with a trial and there is no Herding Capability Test held in conjunction with the event. With respect to paragraph 11, the references to Trial forms includes Test forms as applicable.
   3. Eligibility, paragraphs 1-6 on pages 3 and 4 (as indicated in paragraph 1, the program is open to all dogs 9 months of age or older).
   4. Title Requirements, paragraphs 1-4 and paragraph 6 on pages 4-5 as applicable.
   5. General Requirements, paragraphs 1-11 and paragraph 16 on pages 5, 6, 7 and 8 as applicable.

2. The size of arena for Junior Herding Dog tests should be between 80 x 100 ft. and 100 x 200 ft. for sheep, goats or cattle, and between 50 x 80 ft. and 100 x 100 ft. for ducks. Corners need not be rounded. A panel obstacle with a 12-ft. opening (6 ft. for ducks) is set in approximately the center of the arena, and two panels are set, one at each of the far corners of the arena, with openings of approximately 12 ft. (6 for ducks), parallel to and approximately 12 ft. (6 ft. for ducks) from the back fence. Panels should be approximately 8 ft. x 4 ft. or 10 ft. x 4 ft. for sheep, approximately 4 ft. x 2 ft. for ducks.
3. Only the dog, the handler, the stock and, at the option of the judge, the judge, may be in the arena. The judge may choose to remain just outside the arena, but must be in a position to be able to closely observe the run, give advice, and quickly enter the arena if necessary. Handlers may carry only a standard herding crook or stock stick (wood or fiberglass).
4. The course is described as follows:

   The stock (3 to 10 animals) are free-standing in the middle of the short side near the top of the arena, well off the fence. The dog may be brought in on lead, and the handler may gently guide the dog by the collar to a position within no less than 15 ft. of the stock before removing the lead. Off-lead, the dog must hold a stand, sit or down, then is released to gather and/or drive the stock. Throughout the course, the handler may take any position relative to the stock and dog but may not touch the dog once the stock are set in motion.

   The stock are taken through the panels. The handler may take the center panel either on the return from the corner panels or on the way to the corner panels (when negotiating the corner panels, the handler may choose to do either the righthand or lefthand panel first). The stock are then taken to the pen. The dog is stopped, holding the stock in place, while the handler opens the gate to the pen. After the stock have entered, the handler must close the gate; the dog should remain outside the pen.

5. The judge must observe the handler and dog and may not physically assist the handler and dog, but may advise the handler on how best to encourage the dog to move the stock and how to maneuver around the course.
6. The dog must demonstrate its ability to collect and control stock, put stock in motion, move the stock in straight lines and turns, negotiate obstacles and come to a reliable stop at the pen. The stock must be taken through both corner panels and through the center obstacle to qualify.
7. Dogs are not to be allowed to rough up, trample or grip stock. Unruly dogs or dogs which attempt to attack the stock must be taken from the arena immediately. Dogs which are excessively fearful of the stock should be removed. Dogs showing lack of progress should be removed from the arena after five minutes.
8. Scoring is completed and the handler may leash the dog as soon as the gate is closed.
9. Course time is 8 minutes.

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