That'll do, sheep

The original working trials may have stemmed from banter over whose border collie was better, but, as members of the International Sheep Dog Society tell Katy Birchall, the special relationship between man, dog and sheep continues to enthral

- Katy Birchall

FOR centuries, shepherds across Britain have tended their flocks with the help of a remarkable and steadfast companion, the sheepdog. To watch one at work is a privilege—an extraordinary, unspoken bond in action, the border collie moving quickly and nimbly at its handler’s command. In 1906, the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) was founded to preserve and improve the sheepdog and, in doing so, protect the shepherd’s calling and stock welfare. Today, supported by its patron, The Princess Royal, the society continues to work tirelessly to this purpose.

‘It all stemmed from the banter between shepherds and farmers about whose dog was better,’ smiles chairman Ian Fleming, a member of the society from the age of 14. ‘Eventually, they decided to have a contest to prove who was right. That talk still goes on in the trial fields—there’s a great camaraderie among the handlers. They’ll stand out in the rain all day, letting out sheep for their fellow competitors.’