Barking out commands in readiness for sheepdog trials

I WAS always told to be prepared for anything when I started out on my career path as a reporter.

But when I turned up for my debut as a sheepdog handler complete with cream coat, smart trousers (dry clean only) and this season's must-have pumps (flat shoes), it quickly dawned on me that maybe I wasn't so prepared for an afternoon of shepherding, in pouring rain in the middle of a boggy field with hundreds of sheep. Not the best start.

After a few funny looks and ten minutes of gentle persuading, I finally succumbed to professional advice and it wasn't long before I was standing in a fetching pair of green wellies, a blue anorak and armed with a shepherd's crook.

Today's event, which runs until Saturday, is classed as the equivalent of a cup semi-final in the sheepdog world and attracts hundreds of competitors all battling for a place in the international finals held in Ireland later this year.

But this year, there had to be a few changes. In light of developments in the foot-and-mouth outbreak, it has been necessary to change the traditional rules slightly. Normally there would be hundreds more sheep brought in from other parts of the country, but this year only the sheep at Busby Hall can be used.

"There is not anyone coming here over the three days who is not 100 per cent clear about this. If it means the trial has to be run in a different way, then so be it," said Graeme Aldous, press officer for the English National Sheepdog Trials.

It doesn't take long for me to realise this is a serious business. I had to confess to Mr Aldous that I knew nothing of sheepdog handling.

As he began to explain the basics, I felt my eyes glaze over. Talk of this post, that post, cross drives, sheep with different collars was enough to confuse me before I was even about to experience first-hand the reality of shepherding.

But I was promised I would be working a few gentle sheep with an easily-commanded dog.

Then, armed with four essential commands - way (right), come-by (left), walk-on, lie-down - and a quick introduction to my dog, Sally, I was ready.

First off, the sheep were not gentle. No, they were, what was described as "flighty". This meant they were all over the place.

Second off, there was no hint of any girl-power from Sally - she was not listening to me.

"You need to shout louder," Charles Cutler, chairman of English National Sheepdog Trials, advised. This didn't work. "I think it's because she is used to a man's voice," he then told me after hoards of disorientated sheep charged past me and Sally was nowhere to be seen.

So, feeling slightly useless, another dog was brought out.

This one was called Moss. My eyes lit up immediately because my first dog as a child was called Moss, so we had an immediate connection.

And to my amazement, Moss and I immediately became a team. It was strange to see the dog listening to my high-pitched, squeaky commands but she did and it worked.

Trying it out and seeing the professionals at work, it was obvious this was more an artform than a sport. But how much does it depend on the skill of the dog, or the handler, or the willingness of the sheep?

Mr Cutler said: "Obviously, you need a dog and a man that understands sheep.

"Ideally, you as a handler can read sheep, then you can help your dog to perform the tasks you are asking it to do."

Mr Aldous agreed: "Your dog has to be obedient, but it is an obedience that comes more from respect. You can't bully a dog into being a good sheepdog.

"What you do is you encourage its natural ability. You bring it out, help it to learn what it should be doing and learn how to control it as well, because they are very intelligent dogs and in particular a young dog will decide 'I know how to do this' and sometimes it is not what to do, so the dog has to learn that it is your way.

"It is an artform. Not everyone can do it. You have got to be able to think like a dog and think like a sheep and control like a human."