Chip glitch for national sheepdog trial team

The New Zealand sheepdog trialling team has had a last-minute hiccup on the way to the world championships in Ireland - a crucial microchip has stopped working.

When the team flew out, Chief, the dog belonging to Nelson team member Eion Herbert, had to be left behind.

European biosecurity regulations require imported dogs to be individually identified with a microchip inserted under their skin so that it can be electronically scanned.

A spokesman for the team, who did not want to be named, said that the five team members' dogs were required to have working microchips if they were to avoid quarantine on arrival in the United Kingdom.

Herbert's participation in the event is doubtful.

The world championship will take place on the grounds of Charleville Estate, one of the oldest oak plantations in Europe, which lies on the outskirts of Tullamore in the midlands of Ireland.

The event runs for four days from Wednesday, with 241 sheepdogs and handlers having qualified from 21 countries. This will be the second open World Sheepdog Trial Championship.

- NZPA