The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1911-08-04
A NOVEL FEATURE
AT STATE FAIR

ported from Scotland to furnish nc
vel entertainment and instruction for
the visitors at the South Dakota State
Fair and Exposition next September.
These men are some of the best
known and most efficient sheep farm
ers of Scotland and the dogs are prize
winning and champion Scotch collies.
On the South Dakota State Fair
grounds they will be seen in sheep
dog trials, the most popular and fas-
cinating sport in the United Kingdom
and to oe put on for the first time in
America at Huron, Sept IL.
In Scotland, the home of the col
lie and where he has reached his
highest development and where the
loYe of farmer for his dog and
dog for his master is proverbial, sheep
dog trials have been popular for ages.
To the sheep farmer his dog is his
most precious possession and without
q large amount of his work would go
undone.
Necessity is the mother of educa-
ton as well as of invention and to
the Scotch shephered the trained dog
that can intelligently handle large
fiocks of sheep is a necessity, This
necessity has resulted in the increas-
ed education of these Scotch sheep
dogs until they have become almost
more than human in their understand
ing of sheep and their ability to herd
and handle them.
The great proficiency attained by
sheep dogs in their practical work on
the heaths of Scotland and the affec-
ton of the spepherds for their canine
assistant led, in the early days, to
private trials of intelligence and skill
in the handling of sheep. These trials
gradually attracted the neighborhood
interest and eventually resulted in
public sheep dog trials. Today in the
United Kingdom sheep dog trials are
one of the most popular events on the
programs of the various agricultural
schools and are conducted in many
instances with much pomp and cere-
mony and often times in the presence
of royalty. Large prizes are offered
for the winners of these trials at the
various shows, notable among which
is the annual show of the Tring Agri
cultural Society, held in Tring Park,
Tring, Herts, of which the president
is the Right Hon. Lord Rothschild,
G.. c. V. o., p. c., and the patron is
His Majesty The King.
An institution that has become one
of national interest and pride is the
International sheep dog trials that
are held annually in October in vari
Gus parts of the United Kingdom. In
1910 this event was held at Carlise in
the northern part of England on Oc-
tober 9th and was attended by a
vast concourse of people. The trials is
the test for the International cup, the
honor of holding which is the great
est that can come to scotch shep-
herd and his dog.
In America the sheep dog has not
reached the attainments of his British
cousin, probably because of far differ
ent conditions, fever number of
shepherds. Sheep dog trials have
never been held in this country and
Americans know little of the possi-
lities of the dog and nothing of The
/ excitement that attends these stirring
contests in the open.
! For several years tales of travellers
have dealt with the virtues of these
sheep dog trials, the Board determin-
ed to attempt bringing some of the
famous dogs and shepherds to Ameri-
ca, and after much correspondence
and negotiating they nave completed
arrangements for the bringing to the
/ South Dakota State Fair of John
/ Johnstone, Mr.. Robertson and James
Scott, three of the best known and
most successful sheep farmers in the
United Kingdom.
These men will bring with them six
dogs, all prize winners in sheep dog
trials in their native land. in the six
Moss" and "Kepp' both owned by
/ Mr.. Scott, have been winners of the
International cup, the latter having
won this great trophy twice in success
sion and having lost it third time
by trivial mistake after the judges
had given the sign of awarding it tc
him.
The quality of these dogs and the
standing of their masters. who viii
visit America for the first time, as
sures to the South Dakota State Fail
visitors as fine an exhibition of sheer
handling by dogs az can be seen any
where in the world. The TRIALS will
be conducted every afternoon duriny
the fair and the dogs will compet
for various prizes that will make thei
masters put forth their best effort
and show all the marvellous alertness
speed and intelligence that have mad