LAUREN BELL in LIFE
Last updated 14:05, Tuesday 17 December 2019 GMT

​Five fearless sheepdogs waded through floods to save nearly 80 sheep from drowning and their owner has called it "a miracle".

The dogs, four Border Collies and one New Zealand Huntaway, swam and waded through the strong currents to round up the scared flock.

They were caught up in floods when the River Stour in Dorset's banks burst last week due to torrential rain.

Read more here

Join us for the last training day of the 2019, and our BADSHEEPDOGS XMAS PARTY!
The menu is shaping up to be delicious - bring a plate to share 
There will be some sheepdog training, along with a few games and challenges. 

Set up commences around 8.30am, bring your chair, dog(s), a bite for morning tea and your end of year / xmas cheer! 
​Don't forget your hat (Santa hats welcome) 

Training at Bungendore Showground, Saturday 23rd November. We plan to start at 9am, come before to help with set up. Come prepared for the heat. Bring what you will need for your dog, your lunch, a chair and something to share for morning tea. Tea & Coffee provided.
Look forward to seeing you then

Phew, what a week!

The 2019 Trans Tasman Sheepdog Trial coincided with the NSW Selection Trial, held at Bungendore Showground in the first week of July. You might think running the two trials sequentially would be a sensible approach – ground already set up, combines the trials so that those travelling from further away only have to make the one trip. Little did we appreciate how big the week would be!

For the first time, Bungendore & Districts Sheepdog Association (BDSDA) ran two grounds to accommodate the huge number of entries received. Which of course meant twice the number of volunteers required to manage the Box, Let out, and supporting the Judges. The car park was packed over the week end with spectators coming from surrounding regions and as far away as Melbourne.

Bungendore put on its usual July weather – early fog and cold starts, with mostly clear afternoons. And the odd light shower to keep us moving! The Let outs were well supplied with sheep, firewood and a billy for tea. A few key stalwarts made it through the entire week watching the trial from the woolly end!

The Canteen team seems to outdo itself every year, and by Sunday we’d sold out of nearly everything - even the backup supplies. The food was sensational and there always seemed to be spectators and hungry competitors lined up waiting for orders. The social side of the trial was also catered for, with a welcome dinner for Triallers on the Thursday evening, an impromptu Pizza night on Friday and the Trial Dinner (mmm, lamb shanks) on Saturday – all were very well attended and entertainment provided by Pip Hudson, Tony Whitehead, Tony Elliott, and Sue Priest.

A big thank you to Mr Will Goggin (Improver / Open), and Mr Brett Smith (Novice / Encourage, and doing a great job judging his first trial). Also to Mr Paul Darmody for supply of his valuable sheep, and managing the movement of mobs between the two grounds, with a little unexpected help from some of the club dogs keen to demonstrate their skills post trial. (thanks for seeing the funny side, Paul!)

Trials like these – both the Trans Tasman and the Selection Trial – couldn’t survive without generous support from our sponsors, Triallers and volunteers who are worth their weight in gold. Both trials were a huge success, which is a great reflection of the teamwork that went into running them.

Congratulations to Mr John Perry and Delrio Gem with a sensational score in the Open final, and to Mr Paul Darmody with Annaway Dotti (Improver), Mr Mick Hudson with MGH Tri (Novice) and Ms Teresa Kernahan with Neecabe Elphie (Encourage).

We look forward to seeing everyone next year!

BDSDA Committee