The ISDS sheepdog trial format is the standard adopted by every other nation.  The rules have been developed and refined for 100 years to provide a fair and proper chance for the working dog to show how good he or she is. A copy of the 2008 Rules For Trials is available as a PDF download.

These Rules are drafted for the ISDS National, International and World Trials. Many other smaller societies and associations, all round the world, also follow them. We are very happy if you wish to read or learn from the document.  If you want to copy any of the content then you may do so but do please acknowledge the ISDS as the source.

The standard course is the National Trial Singles Course and a description and field layout for the movement of the five sheep are shown. Slightly different is the National Trial Brace Course (also called Doubles) where two dogs are worked by the handler to bring the sheep into two pens. Please note that the simple descriptions on these links do not replace the more detailed content that will be found in the 2008 Rules For Trials.

The ultimate test is the Supreme Championship Course in which the dog has to go and fetch ten sheep, bring them to the middle of the field, and then turn to fetch another ten sheep. For this reason it is called a 'double fetch'.  This is only used at the International and World trials to find the best from the final fifteen dogs.

The dates of the ISDS trials for the coming year can be seen in the News - Trials Diary . You can also read reports of current and past National and International Trials.