Herding Dogs

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Clubs and Associations:

Note: Only Stock Dog and some National Breed Clubs and Associations are listed here. For listings of Regional and International Clubs, please see the individual breed's Clubs' Sections.

• International Sheep Dog Society (ISS) — The International Sheep Dog Society registers nearly 6,000 Border Collie pups every year on behalf of its members. The Society organises four major National Sheepdog Trials each year within the UK and Ireland.
• The American Herding Breed Associaton (AHBA) — The scope of the AHBA involves dogs of all herding breeds including rare breeds, as well as multi-purpose breeds which also have been used for herding, and herding breed mixes. The AHBA Herding Trial Program allows dogs to demonstrate herding ability in herding trials at started, intermediate, and advanced levels on various courses. The goals of the AHBA are to promote an appreciation of the skills and value of the herding dog and to help provide information about herding breeds, herding training, herding behaviors and herding in general.
• United States Border Collie Handlers' Association (USBCHA) — The USBCHA is the sanctioning body for sheepdog trials throughout the United States and Canada. Founded in 1979 and now has more than 500 members.
• United States Border Collie Club (USBCC) — The USBCC sponsors or supports several stock dog training and handlers' training clinics in various places in the US.
• American Border Collie Association (ABCA) — The ABCA exists to register, maintain and verify the pedigrees of Border Collies, to promote and foster in North America the breeding, training and distribution of reliable working Border Collies, and to promote stockdog trials and exhibitions.
• Border Collie Society of America (BCSA) — The BCSA began in Louisville, Kentucky in 1990 and currently has over 400 members from 40 states. The BCSA's philosophy is to protect the Border Collie as a versatile dog with a strong work ethic.
• Canadian Border Collie Association (CBCA) — The Registry for Purebred Border Collies in Canada
• Australian Cattle Dog Club of Canada (ACDCC) — To promote the purebred Australian Cattle Dog and breed to accepted CKC Standard, and to promote the use of all herding breeds in trials and clinics.
• Australian Cattle Dog Club of America (ACDCA) — The herding committee of the ACDCA's function is to promote and preserve the natural working abilities of the Australian Cattle Dog. The committee is also responsible for conducting two herding trials each year on cattle at the National Specialty.
• The Canadian National Australian Shepherd Association (CNASA) — The Herding Committee of the CNASA's mission is to offer education and resources to those interested in herding trials and training in Canada; to include CKC Herding trials at all CNASA National Specialties; and to promote herding ability as a fundamental and vital part of the Australian Shepherd breed.
• Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) — The ASCA is the largest single breed dog registry in North America and was established as the parent club for the breed in 1957. Today, ASCA merit programs provide certification and titles in Stockdog, Conformation, Obedience, Tracking, and Agility as well as recognition to the top Juniors. ASCA-registered Aussies can earn titles in every phase of competition as well as entry into ASCA's Hall of Fame which is reserved for outstanding sires, dams, and kennels. ASCA has over 70 Affiliate Clubs internationally providing sanctioned shows and trials for ASCA registered Aussies.
• United States Australian Shepherd Association (USASA)
• Bearded Collie Club of Canada (BCCC) — The BCCC was formed in 1970. The purpose of the Club, both then and now, is to protect and advance the interests of the breed.
• Bearded Collie Club of America
• Pyrenean Shepherd Club of America
• Bouvier des Flandres Club of Canada
• North American Working Bouvier Association (NAWBA) — NAWBA is a group of people commited to the advancement of the Bouvier des Flandres in its traditional role as working dog for police, farm and family. NAWBA supports all traditional and compatible contemporary work and performance events as well as FCI breed conformation evaluations, health and structure, all in a spirit of education, camaraderie and good sportsmanship.
• The American Bouvier des Flandres Club (ABdFC)
• The Canadian Briard Club — The Canadian Briard Club was founded in 1993.
• Briard Club of America
• American Working Collie Association — Dedicated to promoting the working ability of the Collie. Originally bred as a working stock dog, the Collie developed a wide range of talents. The Versatility Program recognizes Collies that have proven their competence as versatile working dogs.
• Old English Sheepdog Club of Canada
• Old English Sheepdog Club of America
• Puli Club of America — The national breed club for the Puli and a member of the American Kennel Club.
• American Tending Breeds Association — Founded in 1990 as a forum for learning and practicing the European style of sheep herding known as tending. Over the years, they have expanded their membership to include all herding breeds and styles of herding.
• British Columbia Stock Dog Association (BCSDA) — Promoting the use and training of working stock dogs.
• Alberta Stock Dog Association (ASDA) — The ASDA sponsors over a dozen sanctioned trials throughout Alberta each year and promotes clinics as a key step in developing your dog.
• Saskatchewan Stock Dog Association (SSDA) — The SSDA promotes the proper training of stockdogs, their humane handling, and is dedicated to the welfare of both dogs and livestock."
• Upper Canada Stockdog Association — To promote interest in the working stockdog and to educate members in the training, trialling and handling of Stockdogs.
• Georgia Stock Dog Association (GSDA) — The GSDA began in March of 1999 with a vision of a united association that encompasses the herding interests and activities of the membership as a whole. The Association is organized and operated to encourage, promote, advertise and develop interest in the breeding, training and working of stock dogs.
• Intermountain Stock Dog Association — Formed in Boise, Idaho in 1998, with members across the state of Idaho as well as Utah, Washington, California and Oregon. ISDA's primary purpose is to develop the partnership of stock dogs and handlers for mutual enjoyment through educational opportunities. Sponsored activities include training clinics, fun days, sheep dog and cow dog trials.
• Mid South Stock Dog Association
• Mississippi Stock Dog Association
• Northern California Working Sheepdog Association, Inc
• Redwood Empire SheepDog Association
• Texas Sheep/Cattle Dog Association — Founded in 1963 at San Saba, Texas by a small group of Border Collie enthusiasts. The purposes of the Association are to promote sheep and cattle dog trials in an organized manner, as well as to provide uniform rules and regulations.
• Wisconsin Working Stock Dog Association (WWSDA) — The WWSDA has been in existence for over 20 years and was formed by a group of people in Wisconsin who got together to learn how to train their working dogs, and do a better job of working them on their livestock at home. Today, members include those who have stock dogs for recreation, competition, as well as those whose dogs help on the farm.