THE INTERNATIONAL SHEEP DOG SOCIETY LIMITED

What THE INTERNATIONAL SHEEP DOG SOCIETY LIMITED does

The International Sheep Dog Society Limited (ISDS) is a UK-registered charity (No. 209009), founded in 1906 and headquartered in Bedford, England. The society operates as a membership organization serving handlers, breeders, and farmers of working Border Collies across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and additional associate nations. It maintains the authoritative ISDS Stud Book, publishing annual pedigree records and registering over 6,000 Border Collie pups per year with traceability back more than 100 years.

The core product set comprises the MyISDS online portal (membership management and trial entry), the ISDS Stud Book and pedigree services, the ISDS Trials Diary (regional trial scheduling), an InPlayer-powered subscription livestream for live and on-demand trial viewing, the ISDS Online Archive, and the exclusive International Sheepdog News magazine. Supporting services include canine health testing (hip/elbow scoring, BVA/KC/ISDS eye testing, DNA testing) with published 2026 fee schedules, plus a Shopify-based online store for merchandise. Trial operations are the operational backbone: four National Trials per year (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales), the annual International Sheepdog Championship, and the triennial World Sheep Dog Trial (next in 2026).

The revenue model blends subscription membership fees, one-time dog registration fees, transaction-based health testing, livestream subscriptions, merchandise sales, and event sponsorship. Distribution is primarily direct-to-member via the website and portal, with sponsorship relationships (Gilbertson & Page as principal sponsor; additional livestock, transport, and regional tourism partners) underwriting major events. The organization is governed by a board, has 1-10 employees, and operates with no external venture backing or parent company.

Name

THE INTERNATIONAL SHEEP DOG SOCIETY LIMITED

Legal name

The International Sheep Dog Society Limited

Website

https://isds.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The International Sheep Dog Society is a UK-registered charity founded in 1906 that maintains the authoritative Border Collie Stud Book, registering over 6,000 pups annually and organizing National, International, and triennial World Sheep Dog Trials for handlers, breeders, and farmers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Registry & Breeding Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (1152), Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Livestock & Farm Animal Veterinary Services (AFAEANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Ruminant (Sheep/Goat) Veterinary Services (HLAMABAD), Diagnostics & Laboratory Services (Sampling, Necropsy, Disease Investigation) (AFACADAF)

Keywords

• Border Collie registration
• Sheepdog trials
• Working dog studbook
• Canine pedigree services
• Livestock dog registry

Headquarters

HQ city

Bedford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The society operates as a membership organization offering various membership tiers including Individual Membership and Affiliate Membership. Members receive benefits including the society magazine, free trial admission, member discounts, and the ability to enter National Trials.
2. Dog Registration & Breeding Services: Revenue generated from registering Border Collie pups in the ISDS Stud Book, with fees for breeding rules compliance, artificial insemination rules, and registration on merit. The society registers over 6,000 Border Collie pups every year.
3. Canine Health Testing Services: Fees charged for hip and elbow scoring schemes, eye examinations (BVA/KC/ISDS Eye testing), and DNA testing services. Fee scales are published annually with 2026 pricing including Hip Submission at £82.50 and Routine Eye Examination at £72.00.
4. Livestream Subscriptions: Subscription-based livestreaming service allowing viewers to watch trials in real-time plus access previous trials on demand. Member discounts are available on livestreaming subscriptions.
5. Online Store Sales: The society operates an online store (Shopify) selling merchandise including World Trial merchandise and other sheep dog-related products.
6. Event Sponsorship & Grand Stand Tickets: Revenue from sponsorship deals with companies including JHP Transport, A W Jenkinson, VisitLanarkshire, EventScotland, and ticket sales for grand stand seating at major trials events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The International Sheep Dog Society is a membership-based registered charity that maintains the authoritative international stud book for working Border Collies (registering over 6,000 pups annually with pedigree records traceable over 100 years), organizes national and international sheepdog trials competitions, and provides canine health testing services covering hip/elbow scoring, eye examinations, and DNA testing. Operates MyISDS member portal, livestream subscriptions, and an online store for related merchandise.

Product overview

The International Sheep Dog Society operates a membership-based platform centered around Border Collie breeding registration and sheep dog trials. The core offerings include the ISDS Stud Book (registering over 6,000 Border Collie pups annually), the MyISDS Portal (member login and trial entry system), the ISDS Trials Diary, and the ISDS Livestream service. The society organizes five main annual trials (English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh National plus International Championship) and the triennial World Sheep Dog Trial. Additional services include the exclusive International Sheepdog News magazine, the ISDS Health Hub with DNA testing and health screening resources, and the ISDS Online Archive. The platform includes an online store powered by Shopify for merchandise sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISDS Stud Book & Border Collie Registration Official registry for working Border Collies, registering over 6,000 pups annually worldwide. The ISDS Number and Dog Certificate provide pedigree guarantees traceable back over 100 years. Available to ISDS members for registering pups and researching parentage and breeding lines.
• MyISDS Member Portal Online member portal where ISDS members can manage membership, enter trials, access live scoreboards, and use the ISDS entry system for trial registration.
• ISDS Trials Diary Comprehensive trials diary system providing information about sheepdog trials happening across the UK and Ireland. A dedicated portal for finding and accessing trials events.
• ISDS Livestream Service Subscription-based livestreaming service for watching summer trials in real-time, with on-demand access to previous trials. Member discounts are available on livestreaming subscriptions.
• ISDS Online Archive Digital archive containing historical records, photographs, and documents related to the International Sheep Dog Society and sheep dog trials since 1906.
• International Sheepdog News (ISN) Magazine Exclusive society magazine published for ISDS members with Annual or subscribing Life Membership. Features news, breeding information, society updates, and trial coverage.
• National Trials (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales) Annual national sheepdog trials held across UK and Ireland during July and August, with qualifying criteria to advance to the International Championship. Each national trial has its own regional organising body.
• International Sheepdog Championship Annual international competition held in September, bringing together top competitors from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The next event is at Daylesford, Moreton-In-Marsh, 11–13 September 2026.
• World Sheep Dog Trial Major triennial world championship where competitors from around the world qualify in their own countries to compete. The next World Trial is scheduled for 2026.
• Hip & Elbow Scoring Scheme Canine health testing service under the ISDS Health Hub. 2026 pricing: Hip Submission £82.50, Elbow Submission £82.50, Joint Hip & Elbow Submission £150.00, Appeal Fee £150.00. VAT inclusive.
• Eye Examination Scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS) Canine eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS scheme. 2026 pricing: Routine Eye Examination £72.00, Gonioscopy £72.00, POAG £72.00, Group Testing (25+ dogs) £60.00 per dog, 1st Puppy £72.00, each additional puppy £15.00, Duplicate certificate £46.00. VAT inclusive.
• ISDS Individual Membership Membership options providing benefits including free trial admission, society magazine, dog registration, member discounts, and national trial entry eligibility. Specific pricing not publicly disclosed.
• ISDS Affiliate Membership Affiliate membership option for supporters and partner organizations. Specific pricing and benefits not publicly disclosed on the website.
• ISDS Online Store (Merchandise) Shopify-based online store selling merchandise including World Trial merchandise and other sheep dog-related products, plus livestream subscriptions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 Border Collie pups registered annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered principal sponsor, core and minor.

• Gilbertson & Pageprincipal sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal sponsor of the International Sheep Dog Society. Gilbertson & Page Ltd is a pet food company that sponsors trials and provides member discounts to ISDS members.
• FOSTBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an ISDS partner organization, appearing in the partners section of the society website.
• Logan WhistlesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing sheep dog whistles. Members receive discounts with this partner.
• National Sheep AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner organization in the sheep industry. Listed in the ISDS partners section for collaboration in the sheep dog community.
• National Federation of Young FarmerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to engage young farmers in sheep dog training and trialling. Provides pathway for next-generation members.
• Scottish Association of Young FarmerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScottish counterpart to National Federation of Young Farmers, engaging young farmers in sheep dog activities north of the border.
• JHP TransportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain trial sponsor for the 2024 International Sheep Dog Championships. Transport/logistics sponsor for major events.
• A W JenkinsonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain trial sponsor for the 2024 International Sheep Dog Championships.
• VisitLanarkshireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain trial sponsor for the 2024 International Sheep Dog Championships. Regional tourism partner hosting the event.
• EventScotlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain trial sponsor for the 2024 International Sheep Dog Championships. Scottish Events Agency supporting the event.
• BAYwa-reminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain trial sponsor for the 2024 International Sheep Dog Championships. Renewable energy company sponsor.
• CLLD & UK GovernmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunded by UK Government through Lanarkshire Community Led Local Development funding programme.
• Agria Pet InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerISDS is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Agria Pet Insurance Ltd. Agria is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• British Veterinary Association: The leading UK professional association for veterinarians, with the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Testing Scheme being a co-branded health scheme with ISDS. Adjacent enabling partner for ISDS's health testing revenue stream.
• Royal Agricultural Society of England: RASE organizes major agricultural shows and events in England, including livestock and country events that overlap with ISDS trial audiences. Comparable event-driven agricultural engagement model at a broader scale.
• National Sheep Association: Listed as an ISDS partner organization, the National Sheep Association is the leading UK industry body representing sheep farmers. Adjacent rather than directly competing — serves sheep producers who are the customer base for working Border Collies.

Direct peers

• North American Sheep Dog Society: The North American Sheep Dog Society organizes sheep dog trials and supports handlers in the US and Canada with a directly comparable trials-focused mission and event-driven community model.
• American Border Collie Association: The American Border Collie Association is the leading Border Collie registry in the United States, with a comparable stud book, registration services, and trial sanctioning mission. Most direct functional peer for pedigree registration of working Border Collies outside the UK.
• New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association: The NZ Sheep Dog Trial Association organizes sheep dog trials and supports working dog handlers in New Zealand — a country with deep pastoral farming traditions comparable to the UK. Directly comparable mission around trials organization and working dog community building.

Broad incumbents

• The Kennel Club (UK): The UK's largest dog registration body and a broader incumbent offering pedigree registration, breed standards, and event sanctioning across all dog breeds. Competes with ISDS for Border Collie registrations in the UK but does not specialize in working sheep dogs.
• American Kennel Club: The largest US dog registry and a broader incumbent offering pedigree services, event sanctioning, and breed clubs across all breeds. Adjacent competitor to ISDS in North American Border Collie registrations but with a fundamentally different breed philosophy prioritizing conformation over working ability.

Regional players

• Irish Kennel Club: The national kennel club of Ireland, providing dog registration and event organization in the same geography where ISDS operates national trials. Regional competitor for Border Collie registrations among Irish owners.
• Australian National Kennel Council: Australia's peak canine registration body across breeds, with comparable stud book and event sanctioning functions. Regional peer operating in a market with strong sheep farming traditions paralleling the UK context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-international-sheep-dog-society-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE INTERNATIONAL SHEEP DOG SOCIETY LIMITED