Cattle dogs get a workout this weekend

No lariats, no spurs and no riders, just a dog working with livestock will take center stage this weekend at the Bitterbrush Herding Facility in Fish Springs.

The Comstock Classic Stock Dog Trial is 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, according to Lisa Edwards.

The owner of Lisa Edwards Stock Dogs said she has been working with dogs for 30 years.

“For this particular event we’re having the Australian Shepherd Club of America at my facility,” she said. The event is hosted by the Working Australian Shepherd Club of Nevada, of which Edwards said she is a lifetime member.

She’s expecting around 30 handlers at the event, which isn’t just for Australian shepherds but is open to all breeds of herding dogs, including border collies.

The handlers meet at 7:30 a.m. before the trials begin where the dogs are put through their paces herding cattle, sheep or goats and ducks.

“They need to show versatility working all three stocks,” Edwards said.

Dogs will compete at three levels including those just starting, medium and advanced.

“They’re working dogs,” she said. “This is what they do, and they love it. It develops a partnership with your dog.”

Visitors are welcome to watch the dogs work but should be prepared to bring a chair and their own supplies as there won’t be any vendors. Edwards asked that people not bring their dogs.

Participants for the event are coming from California with judges from Idaho and Oregon.

“It’s a really cool thing to see,” she said.

The facility is located at 1651 Windmill Road.