Welcome

to the Sussex Sheepdog Society web site. Find out all about upcoming events both locally and nationally, and results of recent trials. For the casual visitor, sheepdog trials and their objectives are explained via a link at the bottom of the [ About SSDS ] section of the site.

Congratulations to two Sussex SDS members

Ray Edwards with his 4y 8m JIM gained first place in the 2006 English National Championships at Kirkby Lonsdale with his 4y 8m JIM with a score of 199 points out of 220, and is this years English Team Captain. FANTASTIC!!! Dick Roper is also in the team with his 6y 8m TOM on 173 points. Full details on the ISDS site (link in Resources)

We wish them all success at the Centenary Internationals in September

Information about trials

To see details of an upcoming trial, go to the trials page, and click on the Trial name. Scroll down and below the trial details you will find the RUNNING ORDER for all the handlers at that trial. This is normally posted about 7-10 days beforehand. Full results for each competitor will be posted in the same place after the trial. Prize winners placings are also found under results.

In the Trials (events) section you will also find events that may be of interest to you although they are not actually dog trials - such as the smallholders' fair, sheep markets, training courses and agricultural shows.

Society members

We are including a list of Society members (available to members only), and useful resources (vets in your area, agricultural suppliers, dog trainers and so on); a market place where you may advertise your pups, holiday cottage, B & B, and goods and chattels all free of charge for the time being; and finally a list of links to other sites that you may find interesting - other sheepdog societies etc. Any submissions gratefully received.

In the media...

Sheep Dog Trial 17/8/2008
Thanet SDS 07/08/2008
Please note that the venue for this Trial has been changed from Susans Hill to Hope Farm, go to Upcoming Trials for details.

Dog´s letters to God
Dr Beeching 08/06/2008
Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID´s, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God: Are there postmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember - to be a good dog.

1. I will not eat the cats´ food before they eat it or after they throw it up.

2. I will not roll on fox muck, dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.

3 I will not munch on "leftovers" in the kitty litter box, although they are tasty, they are not food.

4. The nappy bucket is not a biscuit barrel.

5. The sofa is not a face towel´ neither are Mum and Dad´s laps.

6. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.

7. My head does not belong in the refrigerator.

8. I will not bite the officer´s hand when he reaches in for Mum´s driver´s license and registration.

9. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad´s underwear when he´s on the toilet.

10. Sticking my nose into someone´s crotch is an unacceptable way of saying "hello".

11. I don´t need to suddenly stand straight up when I´m under the coffee table.

12. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.

13. I will not throw up in the car.

14. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.

15. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch when we have company.

And, finally, My last question . . .

Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?