Ross Creek local John Tuddenham is preparing to compete against some of Australia’s best sheepdogs at the Dean and District Sheepdog Trials.
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Over 40 dogs and owners from New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria will compete at the Dean Recreation Reserve for the sheepdog trials on Sunday October 8.
Mr Tuddenham will compete with his sheepdogs Paddy and Roo at the Dean and District Sheepdog Trials.
Each dog has 15 minutes to round three sheep into a pen through a course of four obstacles on competition day. Owners instruct their dog through the course with voice or whistle commands.
Mr Tuddenham said competing dogs were trained for the event course.
“It’s a fair bit of pressure on you but you have got to keep calm, because if you can keep calm the dog relates better to you,” Mr Tuddenham said.
“If you get nervous or raise your voice in any way the dog can get a bit scared. The dogs are bred to work but you have got to train them.”
Mr Tuddenham will represent Victoria with Paddy at the Supreme Australian Working Sheepdog Championship on October 14 in Seymour. Three-year-old Paddy is considered Victoria’s best sheepdog.
David Hines is the second Victorian representative at the Supreme Championship.