The European Nursery Championship is open to Border Collies that meet the following criteria. The dog must be under three years of age on the first day of competition. Age is verified by the registration papers provided at check-in. The dog must be registered with the International Sheepdog Society (ISDS) or a recognised national studbook affiliated with the ISDS. Crossbred dogs and dogs without verifiable registration are not eligible, regardless of their working ability.
Each participating country is allocated a team quota, typically between 6 and 12 entries depending on the size of the national sheepdog community and the number of active nursery handlers. National representatives are responsible for selecting their teams through a transparent qualification process, usually based on results at national nursery finals or a series of designated qualifying trials held during the autumn and winter season. Handlers may enter a maximum of two dogs, provided both meet the age and registration criteria. The handler must be an active member of their national sheepdog society.
The qualification course follows the standard ISDS nursery format. The outrun is scored out of 20 points, assessing the dog's ability to leave the handler's side, run wide, and arrive behind the sheep without disturbing them. The lift, worth 10 points, evaluates the first contact between dog and sheep — a calm, controlled approach is essential. The fetch (20 points) brings the sheep through a set of gates towards the handler in as straight a line as possible. The drive (20 points) tests the dog's ability to push the sheep away from the handler through two panels arranged in a triangular pattern. Finally, the pen (10 points) requires the handler and dog to guide the sheep into a small enclosure within a set time. The total available score in qualification is 80 points, with a time limit of 12 minutes.
The final course adds two additional elements: the shed (10 points), in which the handler must separate a designated number of sheep from the group in the ring, and the single (10 points), where one specific marked sheep must be isolated. These elements test the dog's close work, courage, and responsiveness at short range. The final course has a time limit of 15 minutes and a maximum score of 100 points. Scoring in the final is independent of qualification scores — the final is a standalone competition.
Judges are selected by the ENC committee from a panel of experienced ISDS-qualified judges. No judge may officiate for a trial in which a handler from their own country is competing, except in qualification rounds where dual-field judging ensures fairness. Judges' decisions are final and no appeals are permitted on points of scoring. Protests relating to eligibility, conduct, or rule violations may be lodged with the committee in writing within one hour of the incident.
Handlers are expected to conduct themselves with sportsmanship and respect for the animals, fellow competitors, and the organisers. Any form of rough handling, excessive whistling, or behaviour deemed detrimental to the welfare of the dog or sheep will result in immediate disqualification. The use of electronic training devices on or near the competition grounds is strictly prohibited. Dogs that show aggression towards other dogs, sheep, or people will be excluded from the event. The committee reserves the right to remove any handler or dog from the grounds in the interest of safety and welfare.
Note: The full rules document, including annexes on veterinary requirements and biosecurity protocols, is available for download from the committee upon request. Rules are reviewed annually and any amendments are communicated to national representatives before the start of the qualifying season.