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ABOUT US
BACKGROUND HISTORY THE SOUTH AFRICAN SHEEPDOG ASSOCIATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1961 WHEN A GROUP OF FARMERS IN THE KAROO CAME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE SHEEPDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE INAUGURAL MEETING, WITH 13 MEMBERS PRESENT, WAS HELD AT UNION HIGH SCHOOL IN GRAAFF REINET AND MR BUN KINGWILL WAS ELECTED AS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION. DURING THE SA CHAMPIONSHIP OF THAT YEAR, "TESS" OF MR BILLY KINGWILL BECAME THE FIRST SA CHAMPION UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF MR HENRY HARTZENBERG OF GRAAFF REINET. SINCE THE INAUGURATION OF SASDA A SA CHAMPIONSHIP HAS BEEN HELD EACH YEAR. THROUGH THE YEARS THE COURSE HAS ALSO BEEN CHANGED TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD AND DIFFICULTY IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE DOG'S WORKING ABILITY. IN THE BEGINNING THE COURSE WAS VERY MUCH LIKE THE ONES USED IN AUSTRALIA BUT GRADUALLY CHANGED TO THE ENGLISH VERSION. THE CURRENT COURSE WITH THE DOUBLE LIFT, WHICH HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN 2001, HAS BEEN TAKEN OVER VIRTUALLY AS IS FROM THE ONE USED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE UNITED KINGDOM - THUS PUTTING SOUTH AFRICAN DOGS AND HANDLERS ON THE SAME FOOT AS THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS. THROUGH THE YEARS THE SA SHEEPDOG ASSOCIATION STILL STRIVES TOWARD IT'S MAIN OBJECTIVE - TO INTRODUCE FARMERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PEOPLE TO SHEEPDOGS AS LABOUR SAVING FORCE. THIS IS DONE THROUGH DEMONSTRATIONS AND COURSES, AS WELL AS COMPETITIONS, WHERE BREEDING SUCCESS IS TESTED AND THE BEST BREEDING MATERIAL SELECTED ACCORDING TO WORKING ABILITY. |
