Every sheep farm I’ve photographed has one, and they’re always the first to come and say hello. The sheepdog might look like the farm pet riding around on the quad. In reality, it’s one of the most valuable workers on the place.
What’s happening here
This collie is waiting on the quad bike, on her own sheepskin seat, ready to go. On a big farm the fields can be a long way apart, so the dog rides out to save her legs for the work that matters.
That work is gathering: finding sheep spread across a field, bringing them together and moving them where the farmer wants them. That might be through a gate, into a pen, or into the yard for shearing, like in the photo below.
How it works
Most working sheepdogs in Britain are Border Collies, bred for this job over generations. They move sheep by circling wide around them and using a fixed stare, known as “the eye”. The sheep feel the pressure and move away from it.
The farmer directs the dog with whistles and short commands, often from a long way off. “Come bye” sends the dog clockwise around the flock, “away” sends it anticlockwise, and “lie down” stops it. A good partnership is almost silent to watch.
Why it matters
- One dog can do the job of several people. Gathering a hillside or a big field on foot would take a team of people much longer.
- It’s calmer for the sheep. A good dog moves them steadily without chasing them, which means less stress and fewer injuries.
- Some jobs are impossible without one. On rough or steep ground, there’s often no other practical way to bring sheep in.
Why it’s tough
Training takes years. A young dog usually starts learning properly in its first year, and many aren’t fully trusted with the whole job until they’re two or three. Not every dog makes the grade. A well-trained working dog can be worth thousands of pounds, and many farmers would tell you they’re priceless.
It’s also hard physical work. A dog can cover huge distances in a day of gathering, so farmers have to watch out for heat and tiredness, just as they would with themselves.
Did you know?
Sheepdog trials, where handler and dog steer a small group of sheep round a course and into a pen, are a competitive sport. Some of the best dogs and handlers in the country compete at national and international level.
