Hold thumbs for Roxy and Shelby, two Bronberg-based sheepdogs which will be competing in the South African Sheepdog Association’s 50th National Championship. Sheepdogs from all over the country will compete at Border Brook farm in Muldersdrift from 29 September to 2 October.

The seven-year old Roxy will compete in the senior championships and the four-year old Shelby in the nursery championships.

In The Bronberger of March 2010 we introduced you to Tania Quarmby and her sheepdogs that practice herding at Mervyn Woodrow’s plot in Mooiplaats. Tania is the only successfully competing member of the Sheepdog Association who owns neither farm nor sheep.

Roxy bringing sheep through the gate in Mooiplaats

The sheep handlers at the championships will hail from all over South Africa, the majority being full-time farmers. The judge is Ian Brownlie, a top Scottish handler. Herding sheep around a set course will showcase the top handlers and working sheepdogs, aiming to preserve the herding ability of the sheepdog and to match wits and athletic ability with sheep.

Among the competitors are two handlers, Faansie Basson and reigning SA Champion Elsie Jammy, who returned from competing in America in early September.

South Africa will be represented at the next World Trial in 2014, thanks to the recent decision by the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to allow dogs from South Africa to enter the UK for the first time, without quarantine.

For more information, contact Lynette at 082-886-7652, Mark at 082-675-2213, Elsie at 082-441-9646 or Carol at 072-288-1558. You can send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .