All Search And Rescue Dog Association (England) dogs are tested by farmers and shepherds to ensure that they are safe working around sheep and farm animals. 

This ensures that the dogs are assessed independently and the high standards maintained. The Stock Test starts with the dogs being worked in a pen with a small number of sheep.  The dogs must run to the handlers and be comfortable in the presence of sheep

This is usually followed by the sheep running past the dogs to see if there is any possibility of chasing the sheep.  A short video clip of this can be seen by clicking on the sheep below