Members engage in a wide variety of activities with their shelties. For example, several members compete in:
Farm DAy
FastCat
SHETLAND SHEEPDOG CLUB OF HOUSTON
Hosts AKC FASTCAT EVENTS - Check our Specialty Events Tab
SHETLAND SHEEPDOG CLUB OF HOUSTON
Hosts AKC FASTCAT EVENTS - Check our Specialty Events Tab
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Ringo Keeper and Venture competed at Fastcat event
Agility
"Dog agility is a sport where you direct your dog through a pre-set obstacle course within a certain time limit. Courses typically have between 14-20 obstacles, which can include tunnels, weave poles, tire jumps, seesaws, and pause tables where the dog must stop for a set amount of time. At each trial you and your dog will race around the unique courses designed for that day. All of this is done with your dog relying solely on the cues and body language you use to direct them on course." Source AKC.org
Conformation
"The official term for dog shows is conformation — as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not: Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. Why? Because the closer a dog’s appearance is to the breed’s standard, the better that dog’s ability will be to produce puppies that meet the standard. It’s also the reason why mixed breeds and spayed or neutered purebreds are ineligible to compete." Source AKC.org
Obedience
"Developed in the 1930s, Obedience is one of the AKC’s oldest sporting events. From walking on- and off-leash to retrieving and jumping, or demonstrating your dog’s ability to stay, Obedience trials feature dogs that are well-behaved at home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. It is essential that the obedience dog demonstrates willingness and enjoyment while it is working with the handler." Source AKC.org
Rally
"Think of an AKC Rally event as any team sport: You and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you steer him through a course of 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs. Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control." Source AKC.org
Herding
"The purpose of noncompetitive herding tests is to offer herding breed owners a standardized gauge by which a dog’s basic instinct and trainability are measured.
The purpose of the competitive herding trial program is to preserve and develop the herding skills inherent in the herding breeds and to demonstrate that they can perform the useful functions for which they were originally bred. Although herding trials are artificial simulations of pastoral or farm situations, they are standardized tests to measure and develop the characteristics of the herding breeds.
Dogs must have training and prior exposure to livestock before being entered in tests or trials." Source AKC.org
To find out more about these activities or other activities not listed, please feel free to ask any club member or visit American Kennel Club
But not all sheltie activities are competitions. For example, the public is educated about Shetland Sheepdogs at "Meet the Breed" at the NRG Park, World Series of Dog Shows. Therapy shelties visit hospitals and nursing homes. The Club hosts a day-long series of programs each year, the Sheltie Education Day.
Most important, our shelties are our companions and friends.
But not all sheltie activities are competitions. For example, the public is educated about Shetland Sheepdogs at "Meet the Breed" at the NRG Park, World Series of Dog Shows. Therapy shelties visit hospitals and nursing homes. The Club hosts a day-long series of programs each year, the Sheltie Education Day.
Most important, our shelties are our companions and friends.
