About Us
North Central Texas Herding Dog Association (NCTHDA) was licensed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in June of 1999 after several years as an informal group of herding enthusiasts. The club offers both noncompetitive tests and competitive trials for owners of breeds eligible to compete in AKC herding trials. These events help measure a dog's basic training as a herding dog and preserve and develop herding skills inherent in the herding breeds.
NCTHDA sponsors two licensed herding trials each year. One in March and one in December. The Club also sponsors informational booths and Special Attractions at various local fairs and related AKC events such as All breed shows and Agility trials.
In addition, the club members actively participate in holding Herding Seminars, and Training Clinics using recognized experts. Several club members also maintain their own stock and/or serve as instructors at various herding facilities in the North Texas
All of these activities are designed to:
- Disseminate knowledge regarding herding training.
- Conduct classes for training dogs and handlers.
- Encourage the training of judges.
- Hold and support Herding trials and matches.
- Promote cooperation and good sportsmanship among its members in the training and exhibition of herding dogs.
AKC's herding program is designed 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. The program is open to all AKC recognized herding breeds.
The two-part program offers a series of non competitive tests and a comprehensive herding trial program with several levels of competition. Dogs are awarded titles upon the completion of the various requirements. After an advanced title is achieved, the dog can continue to compete for the coveted Herding Champion title.
Non-competitive tests offer an opportunity to dogs, without extensive training, to be evaluated in a pass/fail environment. An instinct test level was added in 2002. Competitive trials offer something for every breed with three different courses; A, B and C, with three levels of difficulty to each course; Started, Intermediate and Advanced and with three different livestock types - cattle, sheep or ducks.
Course A simulates a small farm. It incorporates the use of various obstacles, chutes, pen work and close fence work.
Course B simulates open field work. Since the stock has many flight options in an open field, a successful Course B dog will give way to pressure, evaluate situations, & circle wide, if necessary, to get behind and move the stock towards its destination.
Course C simulates a tending Shepherd’s day, as he/she accompanies the flock, moving to various unfenced grazing areas. 
Further information is available online at the AKC website http://www.akc.org