CARBONDALE — The nation’s top dogs and their handlers have been in the Roaring Fork Valley all of last week for the National Sheepdog Finals, arranged by the United States Border Collie Handlers Association, sponsored by Garfield County and hosted by the Strang Ranch.
It all culminates Sunday, when the top pair are selected from 150 contestants.
“The USBCHA finals is the big one for North America,” said Dennis Edwards, a handler from Sundance, Wyo., who is competing with his dog Craig.
Although it’s a big event, many of the participants know one another from qualifying trials. “It’s kind of a community, family-type organization,” he said. “I met a lot of great people just because of the little black and white dogs.”
It’s not an easy club to join.
“I’ve heard people from other venues say this is the hardest thing they’ve ever done with a dog,” said California handler Ellen Skillings. “They have their own minds. You’re not making them do something; they’re doing something that’s innate.”
Asked whether the handler, dogs or sheep make the biggest impact on the outcome, Skillings called it even.
“The dogs often make the sheep; the handler makes the dog,” she said. “You’ve got these three species that you’re dealing with, and if any one of them isn’t on, the whole thing isn’t going to work very well.”
Will Grandbois, Post-Independent
