Herding

“Should you, while wandering in the wild sheep land, happen on the moor or in the market upon a very gentle knight, clothed in dark grey habit, splashed here and there with rays of the moon; free by right divine of the guild of gentlemen, strenuous as a prince, lithe as a rowan, graceful as a girl, with high king carriage, motions and manners of a fairy queen, should have a noble breadth of brow, and air of still strength born of right confidence, all unassuming; last and most unfailing test for all, should you look into two snow clad eyes, calm, wistful, inscrutable, their soft depths clothed on with eternal sadness — yearning, as is to be said, for the soul that is not theirs — know then that you look upon one of the line of the most illustrious sheepdogs of the North.”

— Alfred Ollivant, Owd Bob

Per the Bearded Collie Club of America: "The Bearded Collie is an ancient Scottish breed of herding dog. It is a medium-sized shaggy dog ideally suited to the terrain and climate of its native land. The Beardie of the Highlands was used for rough work, often independent of commands; gathering sheep from the rugged hill and mountain pastures; moving upright and barking to flush out hidden or lost stock. The Beardie of the Lowlands was most often used as a drover’s dog, sorting and taking sheep and cattle to market. Today’s Bearded Collie is a blend of these two strains."

Beardies today are still entirely capable of working stock with brains and finesse. I'm not sure I have found a more rewarding and challenging activity in the dog world yet!

Astrid on ducks after a long maternity leave

12-week-old Kaylee (Nick x Astrid) meets ducks for the first time

Astrid working some skills on the A course - 20 months old!

Sorsha and Maeve at the 2020 BCCA National Specialty