Germany: Smart dogs and fast shepherds - the Shepherd's Run in Wildberg/Black Forest

Sheep dog trials, cock dance, shepherd's run, parade… If you want to experience the traditional traditions of the Black Forest in Germany firsthand, the Shepherd's Run in Wildberg is the place for you. You can find all the information here.

The Shepherd’s Run in the village Wildberg in the Black Forest in Germany takes place every two years.

The next date is July 17-20, 2026.

Alternatively, you can watch the fast shepherds in various competitions this year in Bad Urach (25th to 28th July) and in Markgröningen (22nd to 25th August ).

What exactly do the dogs or the shepherds have to do during the sheep dog trials?

Each shepherd must complete a course with a flock of sheep from another group. Tasks include driving the flock over a bridge, past a car, and along designated paths from the pen to the pasture.

Sheep farming is less about ultimately utilising the meat or wool, but rather about the animals contributing to sustainable landscape management

One of the shepherds explains to me. In Baden-Württemberg, there are 210,000 sheep tending 80,000 hectares of grassland. However, the woolly animals are only allowed to graze certain areas, and dogs are indispensable for this work. They provide the shepherd with crucial support by ensuring that they stay away from areas not intended for grazing and, in the truest sense of the word, keep the flock together.

Shepherdess Ute Svensson from Baden-Baden explains to me how it works. She has two Old German Shepherds: Hanouk and Hubi, siblings and 9 years old. Hanouk is the "boss," known in the dog jargon as the "lead dog." Hubi is the "assistant dog." Every shepherd has different commands they use with their dogs, but there are some that the dog understands and can then carry out.

And how do you train the dogs?

“In the beginning you take a small dog to an experienced dog, then he learns from him.

Sheep are much smarter than most people think.

Ute Svensson smiles: "When I make myself a cup of tea, I immediately notice how the sheep relax; then they know nothing will happen for the next 20 minutes. " During the performance test, the task is obviously much more difficult than under normal conditions. Firstly, the shepherd doesn't know the flock, and with animals, most things are based on trust. And secondly, the tasks have to be completed quickly one after the other. Normally, the goal is to ensure the sheep are full at the end of the day, not to cover a certain distance. So, in the end, Ute isn't satisfied with her fourth place. "I usually give the dogs much more free range. In the end, Hanouk got annoyed by my many commands and overreacted."

The Shepherd's Run is part of the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage

The Sheep dog trials are just one of many highlights of the Wildberg Shepherd's Run. In 2018, UNESCO added the tradition of the Shepherd's Run and the shepherding craft in Markgröningen, Bad Urach, and Wildberg to its list of intangible cultural heritage.

Over 500 years ago, shepherds met once a year for a guild meeting in Markgröningen. However, since most shepherds could not leave their flocks alone for such long periods, it was decided 300 years ago to hold the meeting in Heidenheim, Bad Urach, and Wildberg as well, so that the shepherds had a shorter commute. The traditions have remained the same over the centuries. For example, there is a fun cock dance , in which couples dance around a pole crowned with a rooster. On a tray suspended above their heads is a cup, which must be knocked over with the head. The first time, the man lifts the woman, the second time, the woman lifts the man.

The shepherd's wife must not only be able to take action in real life

Another competition is the Water Carrier Race. In this race, young girls must race each other with a colorfully decorated water bucket on their heads. The undisputed highlight and namesake of the event is the Shepherd's Run , which is contested first by the shepherd girls in white blouses and blue skirts, followed by the shepherds in black suspenders and a white shirt—neither of which is ideal for racing. They must also run barefoot. The winners are crowned the Shepherd King and Queen.

For me, an afternoon at the Wildberg festival grounds is like a journey back in time. 2,000 participants, mostly in historical costumes and traditional dress, make this day a unique experience. A tradition truly worth preserving . Carriages pulled by powerful Black Forest horses pass me by in the historical parade. Over 200 musicians from various clubs provide the musical accompaniment, with golden tubas playing the march, flag bearers, cuckoo clock bearers, women in woolen rose hats, and many royal celebrities: the Lamb Queen, the Shepherd King, the Shepherd Queen...

Time travel at the Shepherd's Run

The young shepherdesses race each other

You will be applauded by the illustrious audience

In the Black Forest, a cuckoo clock is a must

The young shepherds also have to prove themselves in a race

The race of the water bearers is a wet and cheerful affair

info

The website www.mein-schwarzwald.de offers all information on accommodation, restaurants, hiking trails and all activities.

This year, Blueberry Week and Blueberry Festival will take place from July 19 to 27.

You can book various tours about blueberries on the Enzklösterle website under Events .

Arrival

As an officially recognized “ Sustainable Travel Destination ,” the northern Black Forest is easily accessible by public transport .

Accommodation

If you have always wanted to spend the night in a shepherd's wagon , the Unterer Berghof is the place for you. Just right. In a meadow lined with old fruit trees, there are two blue and one green shepherd's wagons; it's hard to imagine a more idyllic place to sleep.

The Schwarzwaldhof is located in the center of Enzklösterle. Some of the newly renovated rooms feature an integrated sauna.

The 4-star Enztalhotel wellness hotel in Enzklösterle offers several saunas, steam baths, and a swimming pool. The food is also highly recommended – the Swabian Parlor is particularly cozy. Double rooms with breakfast from €144, www.enztalhotel.de

Eat

The Eyachmühle restaurant , picturesquely situated on the river, is a wonderful blend of delicious food, a rustic atmosphere, fresh ideas, and fresh flowers. Whether it's coffee and cake, lunch, or dinner, the Slow Food award-winning cuisine is always a delight.

www.eyachmuehle.com

Watch this video to see what is happening at the Schäferlauf