Stock Dog Team | Collegiate Team at NCTA

The 2025-26 stockdog team picture

The NCTA Stock Dog Team is a collegiate program where students train and work their own herding dogs while gaining hands on livestock experience. Team members develop real world skills in cattle handling, dog training, and stockmanship while competing in regional and national stock dog trials.

NCTA offers one of the only collegiate stock dog programs where students can train and compete with their own herding dogs.

  • Three NCTA Students with their stock dogs
  • NCTA Students holding their stockdogs
  • NCTA Graduate with her stock dog

What You Will Do

  • Train and handle your own stock dog
  • Work cattle, sheep, and goats
  • Practice twice weekly on campus
  • Compete in cattle dog trials

Competitions and Travel

  • Nebraska State Fair
  • National Western Stock Show
  • Regional cattle dog trials
  • Local Trials 

Requirements

  • Must be a full time NCTA student
  • Enroll in Stock Dog I or II
  • Provide own herding breed dog: at least 8 months old and vaccinated
  • Attend practices and events

 

Facilities and Dog Housing

  • On campus kennel space available
  • Hands on training with multiple livestock types
  • Structured practice schedule