Sheepdog Resources

As the site grows we will develop the Border Collie section of working sheepdogs and include some of the other types of dog that are used for the flocking of sheep.

As mentioned in our introduction these can include – the Old English Sheepdog, the Bearded Collie, the Kelpie – these come in two varieties and the Huntaway – the New Zealand ‘barky’ dog. All of these are used with sheep in England. There is also the Australian Cattle Dog, the Rough Collie and the Shetland Sheep Dog – both used to herd sheep in some parts of Great Britain and all the European countries have their own breed of herding dog including the German Shepherd!

The Resources supporting the Working Sheepdog ‘Industry’ are wide and varied, it is intended that a selection of links be included on this page. Here are a few as an introduction:

Organisations

The International Sheep Dog Society based in Bedford is the oracle for the Border Collie.
It holds Registration details of all the registered Border collies throughout the world and is the first stop in the Border collie world.
Website: www.isds.org.uk

Working Sheepdog Archives has been set up to preserve and catalogue material relating to the working sheepdog and to make it available to students and researchers worldwide. The site includes an Archive Index, books, magazines, videos & DVD’s, and general sheepdog information.
Website: www.workingsheepdog.org

There are several Border collie rescue organisations - two of them are listed below.

Wiccaweys is based in Leicestershire and approaches the business of rescue and re-homing from an holistic point of view. Over recent years they have looked after over one thousand sheepdogs and none are turned away. They have a comprehensive and well put together website. Log on to www.wiccaweys.co.uk

Border Collie Resue in Yorkshire re-homed many dogs during the Foot and Mouth epidemic of 2001 that had lost their working lives. These dogs are always re-homed as working dogs and the organisation has strict rules about which, if any, of the collies join non working homes as a pet. They insist that all re-homed dogs receive dog and handler training.
Website: www.bordercollierescue.org

Main Border Collies - Sue Main proprietor, can be found on www.mainbordercollies.com

Dogs at stud and puppies are available from time to time. Sue writes articles of lively and thought provoking interest in the bi monthly International Sheepdog News. Her most recent have been the results of a questionnaire set for about 80 Judges with a variety of different decsion outcomes. And the most recent 'How to set up a Trial'. This latter is a vital tool to anyone contemplating running aTrial. There are so many details to attend to! The most important of which is the welfare of the sheep followed closely by the welfare of the dog. The handler is not considered!

Trainers and Miscellaneous Information

Andy Nickless has a new DVD about training out now. This link should take you to finding out more

http://www.herding-dog-training-border-collie-sheepdog-dvd.com

Nij Vyas is about to publish a book about sheepdog training and trialling - Title yet to be advised but he can be found on two websites. Nij lives in middle England Email nij.vyas@ntlworld.com Websites: www.bertiedogs.com and www.nijvyassheepdogs.com

Good Dog Food. Working sheep dogs a;ways need good fuel in order that they can do their job - well, all dogs need feedingproperly and you need look no further than Ceri Rundle's CSJ Dog Food Company in North Wales. The products from thsi company are free from artificial additives and there is a wide range availble.

Ceri was the first woman to have represented Wales in sheepdog trialling and comes from a family committed to getting the best from their dogs.

Log onto www.csjk9.com for all your requirements and the list of stockists - there is bound to be one in your area.

Kelpie Breeders

Kevin Reeves from Wiltshire can be contacted on 07774 710812 or lyndhurst@vetty.fsnet.co.uk

Tracy Huxtable from North Devon can be contacted www.kelpie.info

or tracyhuxtable@aol.com or M: 07789 148647

Huntaway Breeders

Hugh McCall lives near Tavistock in Devon and can be contacted on 01822 870221 At Stud he has SAM who is 18 months old and a New Zealand import.

He also has a five year old bitch DOONE and BROOKE - out of Doone - is 8 months old and beginning to take interest.

Jake, the Border Collie, makes up the McCall stable.

Huntaway litter is due around February 2010 please contact the above number if you are interested in purchase. These are out of Doone and by Sam.

The International Sheepdog News for January 2010 features an article about Hugh and his dogs.

Overseas Breeders

AlenMalkovic Croatia's leading Border Collie breeder.

For general information about Alen and go to www.bordercollie.hr

For full informaation about breeding lines http://bordercollie.pedigre.net

Alen has recently added a Devon bred pup to his stable from Victor Pitts of Exeter.

Sheepdog Societies in the South West where information about local Trials can be obtained:

Cornwall Sheepdog Society - Secretary: Trevor Hopper +44(0)1872 501 886 email: hoppertw@tinyworld.co.uk

Devon & Exmoor Sheepdog Society - Secretary: Wendy Watson +44(0)1822 880 215

Somerset Sheepdog Training and Trialling Club - Secretary: Alex Whiteley +44 (0) 1963 240618

Wilts - Bishopstone Trial only - Rob and Anna Hawke - +44(0)1722 718 228 email: hawke@onetel.com

Website Credits

With thanks to the following people and organisations who have helped us provide information for this site: