Eight months ago, Zeke could only dream of herding sheep.

The young border collie was on an animal shelter short list to be euthanized after contracting pneumonia and a constant bloody nose.

Today, Zeke is healthy and full of energy, ready to test his herding instincts on real sheep at this weekend's Bank of the West Soldier Hollow Classic.

He is one of many rescued dogs that will test their talents in Midway this weekend. The competition that seeks to find the nation's champion sheepdog has partnered with Western Border Collie Rescue in hopes of finding rescued dogs a home.

Border collies are intelligent and energetic. Their best-loved traits, however, are the same characteristics that get them into trouble, said Zeke's owner and rescuer Kim Garner, a Border Collie Rescue volunteer.

Although the dogs don't need a flock of sheep to be happy, they do need copious amounts of exercise and plenty of stimuli. "They're not condo dogs," Garner said.

The rescue group sought Soldier Hollow Classic founder and organizer Mark Petersen's help, so he developed a demonstration and testing event for the rescued dogs. Petersen said rescued dogs previously have competed in the trials.

"If it results in one dog having a useful life, then we've done our job," he said.

Trainer Don Helsley will work with the dogs. He judged last year's competition and has had dogs compete.

For the test, Helsley will put the dogs on leashes and release sheep from a pen. He plans to use "dog-broke sheep," which are used to working with collies, rather than the wild plains sheep used in the true trials during the competition.

Helsley then releases the dog to bring the sheep back to him. He should be able to tell within a few minutes if the dog could become a good herder.

If it begins to stalk, its tail goes up and it gets the trademark collie "eye" -- an intense gaze locked on the sheep.

The test should help rescuers determine which type of home is best suited to each dog, Petersen said. Those without good herding instincts could do fine as urban dogs, playing Frisbee and fetching.

Zeke will take his test today, even though he already has a home. He got his first chance herding sheep Thursday but was a little too excited to perform well. He singled out one sheep, stalking it and ignoring the rest of the herd, Garner said.

Afterward, he collapsed, exhausted and happy, at Garner's feet.

kdrake@sltrib.com