Points & Time Trials

Why should a group hold a Points & Time Trial?

Hopefully members who own farms and ranches and understand stock management will agree to host trials. By utilizing a knowledgeable person as the course director for the trials; a group can save money in not having to pay judge’s fees, airfare, transportation, and hotel costs. In today’s economy, many people do not have a lot of disposable income. With keeping trial costs down, you can also keep entry fees to a reasonable amount. Also, UDP trials are based on putting part of the entry fees after expenses into a jackpot for the dogs and handlers placing in the trials. It is always nice to earn back part of your expenses.

Doesn’t a Point & Time Trial mean that the fastest dog wins?

A stock dog trial should emphasize good stock management above anything else. Good stock management keeps the stock quiet and stress free. The handler and dog need to move the stock around the field at a walk or slow jog (stock and dog). The handler should never move faster than a walk. Stockmen want quiet calm stock that retain their weight at all times. A calm quiet dog will have the best run, as there is no chasing of the stock and the stock and team stay on course for the entire run. Dogs should never be allowed to run or chase the stock. That team should be given a "thank you" and should be asked to leave the arena or field. The stocks’ welfare should always come first.

What level should I enter?

A handler should only enter his/her dog at the level to which the dog is trained. Each level has increasingly difficult skills. A handler should not put the stock or their dog in danger, by entering a level that is higher than the dog’s trained ability. A stock dog usually takes about four

years to train, of course this is for a dog trained to an advanced level. A handler and dog never stop training and improving their skill level. Good stock management and work is not a "let’s try it one or two times a year event". There are so many variables in stock work: handler, trial course, dog, and each head of stock; that a dog must be trained before it participates in stock dog trials.

Why should I trial with UDP?

UDP offers 5 levels from the Introductory Level for the dog with a basic gather and fetch to the Championship Level for the dog that can work with the handler remaining at a handler’s post. UDP is not registry or breed specific. All herding breeds or cross breeds are encouraged to participate in UDP. The dog registration fee is $10 for life and individual membership fees are $10 a year. We wanted to provide the dog world with an organization that welcomed everyone who wants to participate in events with their dogs.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, or if you would like to host a trial.