Sport Border Collies = Working Border Collies? Not exactly…

Our breed is a special one. The border collie is ranked #1 smartest dog in the world, and their popularity has soared in recent years, making the border collie the choice breed for farm-work, herding trials, and all forms of non-instinctual dog sports from flyball and agility to obedience. Our breed is loved because of its intelligence, drive and willingness to do most anything for us. They are faithful, loyal and understanding companions for the farmer, trial competitor and dog sport enthusiast alike.
We fought the kennel club so that our breed could be saved from conformation shows that threaten to ruin the sound and able-minded working border collie in other countries. We formed the CBCA to promote "…the breeding, training and distribution of reliable working Border Collies in Canada…". For those of us that spend the endless hours training and competing in other dog sports, the term 'working' might include such activities as obedience and agility. However, the definition of a working border collie in the true sense of the word, is one that has both the instinct and the ability to work sheep, cattle or other livestock.
If we think about it, ours is the only true versatile herding dog that has remained almost completely unchanged in at least a hundred years, while most breeds introduced to the world of conformation showing have undergone drastic appearance and temperament changes over a time much shorter than this.
As responsible owners, handlers and breeders of this most amazing dog, we must stick to our guns with this superior registry, the CBCA, continuing to promote the working border collie by attaching the CBCA name and money to working sheepdog / livestock trials and other activities which are intrinsically woven into the CBCA mandate.
Soooo……, for those people out there (including myself) who compete with our pet border collies in other forms of dog sports, here are a few ideas for every activity under the sun and how to get our BC's involved in and even earn titles in obedience, agility, tracking, flyball, lure-coursing etc., even though they are not able to compete in CKC sanctioned events.

AAC (Agility Association of Canada):

Is the Canadian All-Breed (including mixed breeds) agility sanctioning organization promoting this fast and fun activity. You can earn titles that recognize achievements at all levels: Starters, Advanced and Masters, as well as Gamblers, Snooker, Team Relay and Jumpers. Sound exciting? Visit www.aac.ca for more info. There are a TON of AAC training clubs and trials in Canada, so you'll never have to spend a weekend at home.

USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association) & NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council):

South of the border, these two sanctioning organizations also promote and encourage all dogs to participate. Strive for the coveted USDAA ADCH title and you and your BC will never want for the thrill of competition and the drive to train, polish and tweak your dog's performance! Both of these associations' trials have been migrating north in recent years. For the most part, there are always a few of these trials each season within reasonable driving distance. From where I live in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, I could easily drive to a USDAA or a NADAC trial almost every weekend in 2-6 hours. Visit www.usdaa.com and www.nadac.com for information.
Spayed or neutered CBCA registered border collies can obtain an ILP (Indefinite Listing Privilege) number to compete in AKC Performance events such as tracking, obedience, herding, and agility. This is not an AKC breed registration and will not affect your dog's registration with the CBCA. Application is $25.00 US. Go to www.akc.org/registration/ilpex.cfm for all the information.

Border Collies (again, spayed or neutered) can also apply for a

UKC LP (Limited Privilege)

number , which works in the same way as the AKC ILP number. Go to www.ukcdogs.com/rules/r-limited.html for all the info. Once again, the UKC is an American registry, but there are always competitions within a reasonable driving distance for some!

NAMBR (North American Mixed Breed Registry)

is based in Ontario and expanding rapidly. For $25.00 CDN, you can register your non-CKC recognized Border Collie and compete in NAMBR sanctioned obedience events and earn titles equivalent to those you would earn with the CKC. NAMBR also promotes agility, flyball, tracking and lure coursing for the non-recognized purebred and mixed breeds. Visit www.eagle.ca/~nambr/ for more information. When I checked the obedience trial listings, I found lots of activity, much of it in Ontario. This organization is looking for new chapters & branches to further expand in Canada & the USA and invites all enthusiasts to form a group and apply.

AMBOR (American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry)

Holds trials in the USA and awards titles such as CD, CDX, UD etc. www.amborusa.org is the web site to visit for all information. AMBOR dogs can also compete in obedience at ASCA(Australian Shepherd Club of America) shows (not just for 'Aussies' anymore!), UKC events, and local events hosted by Kennel Club affiliated training clubs. However, AMBOR trials are less accessible than NAMBR trials for us Canadians, unless you live close to California or New York borders, which are the hubs of AMBOR activity.

While this is not a complete list, it should keep all the sport BC owners busy all season long! Go out an enjoy the intelligence of your dog. Train, compete, earn titles in all forms of dog sports. But lets remember what the Canadian Border Collie Association is all about, and let's not make any decisions toward it becoming another Kennel Club.