At dog show, best friends compete together

HEBER CITY — Watch a friendly competition among shepherds and it becomes clear how dogs became man's best friend.

This holiday weekend champion sheepdogs and their handlers have gathered at the Bank of the West Soldier Hollow Sheepdog Championship to demonstrate why they are among the best sheepherders in the world. Yet, to be the best, both dog and shepherd must coax five sheep along the hillside through a series of obstacles and tests more seamlessly than their opponents — a daunting task considering, as one spectator noted, "Sheep are as dumb as rocks."

Friday open competition began and Cole, a 5-year-old Border Collie and his trainer, Jeanie Helsley, were in attendance.

"These dogs are so smart … it all begins with their natural instincts and then we, as trainers, try to add to it," said Helsley, a resident of Caldwell, Idaho. "For us, this is a family thing."

Cole has a resolute stare that beams from his mismatched eyes. One is blue and the other is yellow. It was his first time on the hill Friday and he made an impressive first run, despite a disqualification for nipping a stray sheep in the final seconds as he and Helsey attempted to fence them in.

"There is a real pressure going through (a dog's) head as he competes," Helsley said. "Every whistle or gesture (the handler) gives is telling them to do something, and it is hard."

Helsley's husband Don was also competing and said his love affair with the sport began more than 20 years ago. As a boy, Don had dogs to help direct cattle as he rode along on horseback.

"Sold the horses eventually and played with the dogs," Don said. "They're a lot cheaper than horses."

On the course dogs are at times more than 400 yards away from their handlers and still manage to take directions and guide the sheep as they are asked to. At the classic, the sheep used are pulled from the range and have never been exposed to humans so they continually provide a wild factor to each run.

Michael Schmidt, a resident of Washington, who was in Utah visiting his first-born grandchild, said the dogs show real gumption and intellect on the course. At times the dogs displayed intelligence that Scmidt said would make some parents envious.

"How easily can you send a kid across the yard?" Schmidt asked. "I mean, sometimes its tough to get a kid to mow the lawn. … It's nice to see the connection between the dog and the handler. They'd do anything for each other."