In a thrilling finish at the South African National Sheepdog Championship, held from 19 to 21 September near Buffeljagsrivier in the Southern Cape, Yvan Fourie and his dog Wimpie claimed their first national title.
Laura Sterley, promotional officer for the South African Sheepdog Association (SASDA), told Poultry & Livestock Review Africa that spectators were kept on the edge of their seats as some of the country’s top handlers and dogs competed fiercely for first place.
Andrew Philip, who previously won the championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 with his dog Mirk, seemed poised for another victory after scoring 101 points in the semi-finals, with Fourie and Wimpie close behind at 100 points. However, the finals brought a dramatic turn. Fourie and Wimpie pulled ahead with 133 points, narrowly edging out Philip and Mirk, who scored 132. Third place went to veteran handler Henry van der Merwe and his dog Lisa, who scored 127 points, demonstrating that even in his eighties, Van der Merwe remains a formidable competitor.
A stalwart of the sport, Van der Merwe has been competing since 1980, claiming championship titles in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2018, and 2021.
At this year’s event, WA Hugo and his dogs Adam and Sally were crowned Brace Champion. In the brace class, two dogs of similar appearance work together in unison.
Sterley highlighted that SASDA had secured five spots for the 2026 World Sheepdog Championships, officially known as the International Supreme. Participation, however, will depend heavily on raising funds to cover travel costs to Scotland, where the competition will be held in September. “The cost of sending a dog to Scotland is around R80,000,” she noted. She added that it would be encouraging to see more South Africans compete internationally, given the high quality of local dogs and handlers, as confirmed by international judges at the national championships.
A Test of Nerve and Skill
Fourie, who admitted he still could hardly believe his victory, described the championship as the highlight of the year. “The event gives handlers a chance to measure themselves against one another under the watchful eye of an international judge – this year, Andrew Dickman from Scotland.”
The final was particularly challenging, as the course included a full-sized international double lift, with two flocks of ten sheep, five in each marked with collars. The dog must first gather one flock, then fetch the second before completing a full drive and moving to the shedding ring, where handler and dog must separate the five marked sheep from the twenty and pen them, all within 25 minutes.
“It’s a thorough test of your understanding of sheep behaviour, time management, your relationship with your dog, and how well you work together,” Fourie explained. He added that numerous factors can influence a run: “For success, you, your dog, the sheep, and the weather must all work together. Everything can go wrong if you get a difficult sheep, the wind prevents your dog from hearing you, you misjudge your timing, or there’s a misunderstanding between you and your dog. Having all these work together really is grace from above.”
For Fourie, the true reward is not just winning but the satisfaction of a run well executed: “There is nothing more satisfying than completing a trial like that and knowing your hard work and training have paid off. Then it doesn’t really matter whether you win or not.”
More Than Just a Dog
Three-year-old Wimpie first competed in last year’s junior championship, where he earned the Junior Reserve Champion title. Fourie described him as a good-natured, hardworking companion who always gives his best when working sheep: “Wimpie is more than just a dog to me. He is my work colleague and best friend. He was bred from one of my other sheepdogs, Kwagga, and a bitch I borrowed, Kayla, to lighten Kwagga’s workload as he got older.”
Fourie only keeps male dogs and breeds new ones when replacements are needed. Kwagga, now nine, retired from competition this year, with his farm work gradually being reduced due to age. Fourie explained that Kwagga had been his first real farm dog, and though buying him was risky as he was untrained, they developed a strong bond over time. “What makes him special is his reliability. If I see the sheep coming but not him, I know something is wrong. He is also strong enough not to be intimidated by ewes with lambs. For me, he is the ideal sheepdog.”
Wimpie, one of nine puppies, stood out early for his independence, drive, and playful nature. While building a reputation in competitions, he primarily serves as a working dog, helping manage sheep on the Klipfontein and Klipkraal farms near Sutherland in the Western Cape. “Sheep work is the main goal. They substantially ease the workload and often allow me to do the work of three or four men. Currently, we are moving sheep up an 800m elevation over 20–25 km,” Fourie said.
He noted that trials serve as a diversion from daily work: “For us, it is a way of taking a break or going on a holiday.”
Preparing for Trials
Fourie explained the difference between trial and working dogs: “A work dog can go for hours on the farm, while trial dogs usually need more rest. Wimpie works at the same pace I do, resting only when I do. Dogs like mine would be a handful for someone without as many sheep.”
Trial preparation involves ordinary farmwork, which builds stamina, fitness, and sensitivity to sheep, with closer-to-event training on smaller flocks requiring finer, more precise movements. This may include separating teaser sheep from the rams.
“Those big movements that work in large flocks can easily put a sheep off course in a small group. Dogs need to be extremely obedient and respond with precision to successive instructions,” Fourie said. He sometimes allows the dogs to think for themselves, using subtle cues to guide them: “This helps them develop their natural ability to work the sheep.”
Fourie treats his dogs as family—they sleep in the house and travel with him to trials. “There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my dogs and watching them grow into their potential. They can do so much more than people realise. It truly is a privilege to work with a good sheepdog and experience how they ease your work and enrich your life,” he concluded.
