Hi guys thanks for your responses. In NZ it is done with "Huntaways" (which I think is a peculiarly Kiwi breed) and with Border Collies (but strangely enough no Yorkies
)
Kiwi farmers also use cross bred dogs where the dog is not bred for physical traits but for their herding ability. And a dog from good stock that's been trained by someone who wins the sheep trials can go for NZ$5000!!
There are all sorts of different trials but it is pretty much just what Babe did in the movie.
But as I thought it is only in NZ that they stick sheep trials on the free tv on a rainy sunday afternoon!