What the National Western Stock Dog Trials Are
The stock dog trials are cattle dog and sheepdog competitions held during the opening days of the National Western Stock Show in Denver. Handlers and their dogs run timed courses of outrun, fetch, drive and pen work. The cattle trials are sanctioned by the National Cattledog Association (NCA) and the open sheepdog trial is sanctioned by the USBCHA. For the 2027 show the tentative schedule has cattle dog trials on Saturday, January 9 through Monday, January 11 at the Wagner Family Plaza and the sheepdog trial on Tuesday, January 12 at the Stadium Arena.
Classes and Entry Fees
| Class | Fee per dog | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Cattle Dog (201, 202) | $100 | 50 dogs, no wait list | Run Saturday and Sunday; top 20 advance to the Monday final |
| Intermediate Cattle Dog (203, 204) | $75 | 25 dogs | Handlers must not be competing in, or have competed in, an NCA-sanctioned Open class; any dog may enter |
| Nursery Cattle Dog (205, 206) | $75 | 25 dogs | Dogs born on or after October 1, 2022 |
| Intermediate Sheepdog (102) | $65 | 50 dogs | Three sheep, USBCHA rules; preliminary and final rounds |
| Open Sheepdog (101) | $80 | 50 dogs | USBCHA sanctioned; two dogs per handler; final for the top 10 |
Fees above are from the most recent published premium list, and the class limits are fixed. Check the 2027 premium book for any change.
How It Works
- Open cattle: a dog must run in both the Saturday and Sunday trials to qualify for the Monday final. The top 3 to 5 from each qualifying run advance automatically, and remaining spots go to the highest point totals, with total time breaking ties. The top 20 dogs run the final.
- Intermediate cattle: the champion is decided by total points, with total time as the tiebreaker, and receives a buckle and banner.
- Open sheepdog: a preliminary round, then a final for the top 10. Points do not carry over from the preliminary, and USBCHA points are awarded on the preliminary round.
- Courses and rules are explained at the handlers' meeting held immediately before each event.
- Free parking is included with each entry.
Prizes
- Open cattle: the top 5 in the final are paid; first place gets the premium, a buckle and a banner
- Intermediate cattle: premiums to the top 4 places each day
- Intermediate sheepdog: premiums to 5 places; first place receives $350 and a buckle
- Open sheepdog: premiums to the top 10 in the final; first place receives $500 and a buckle
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Online entries open October 1 and close November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- Late entries run November 21 to December 10, 2026 with a $35 per head late fee
- Entries are made online in the exhibitor's name at nwssrs.fairwire.com
Where
National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80216. The cattle dog trials run on the Yards at the Ron and Ciele Williams area, and the sheepdog trial in the Stadium Arena.
Questions
Can I enter more than one dog?
In Open Cattle, Open Sheep and Intermediate Cattle, handlers may run two dogs per class. A dog cannot run at the same time as another handler in any class.
Is there a wait list?
No. Classes have fixed dog limits and no wait list.
Who do I call?
The National Western livestock office at 303-299-5559.
Official Links
- Stock dog premium list
- National Western livestock shows
- Livestock exhibitors: deadlines
- Tentative 2027 schedule
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- National Western Stock Show
Sixteen-day stock show and rodeo at the National Western Complex in Denver, with open breed shows, an auction of junior livestock champions, pro rodeos and horse shows. The 2027 dates are posted.
- Western National Roundup
Four-day 4-H and FFA event in Denver with livestock and horse judging, quiz bowl, public speaking and parliamentary procedure contests. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 7-10, 2026.
- National Western Sheep Show
Market and breeding sheep exhibited in the Junior Barn at the Denver stock show. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 12-14, 2026.
- National Western Swine Show
Market and breeding hogs shown in the Junior Barn at the National Western. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 18-20, 2026.
- National Western Bison Show
Bison breeders gather in the Yards at the Denver stock show. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 23-24, 2026.
4655 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80216 Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.