American Kennel Club herding resources

Key facts

Organisation

American Kennel Club [source]

Programme

Herding tests and trials [source]

Know the programme

The American Kennel Club describes a herding programme offering tests and trials. Begin with its official herding page to find programme resources, then establish which particular activity interests you. Farm Dog, a herding test and a competitive trial should not be collapsed into a single label when choosing an event or describing a dog’s record.

Check current participation details

Use the current regulations and event notice for eligibility, identification, classes and entry. If the website provides several registration pathways, check which one applies to the exact activity. Avoid assuming that general eligibility for one AKC sport establishes eligibility for every performance programme.

Assess preparation

Discuss the dog’s experience with an appropriate instructor before entering. Ask how livestock exposure, handling and readiness will be assessed. A breed’s background does not establish that an individual dog is prepared for a particular course, and an event entry does not replace practical preparation.

Keep records comparable

Preserve the original title abbreviation and issuing authority with the dog’s record. Add course, livestock and class where documented so the result remains interpretable. When comparing an AKC record with another system, link readers to both rulebooks rather than inventing an equivalence. For older results, identify the regulation version and distinguish a test qualification from a ranked placing.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• American Kennel Club: Herding (opens in a new tab)
• AKC: Getting started in sports (opens in a new tab)

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