Featuring the Lake District Herdwick sheep

Comprehensive and fun sheepdog handler instruction.

Border Collies have been bred to work sheep in the Lake district since the 1700's using genes dating back to their Persian ancestors and the hunter instincts of the wolf .


It's an age old relationship between sheep and dog which also includes the considerable skills of the farmer... Your task is to distance control both sheepdog and sheep and is where your experience begins..!

We offer :

• A fantastic instructional Border Collie sheepdog handling experience.
• Bed and Breakfast
  (seasonal by arrangement)
• We are also a fully operational Lake District hill sheep farm farming the traditional herdwick sheep.
  

Our farmhouse and yard entrance

Our sheepdog kennels in summer

We very much look forward to receiving your enquiry........

Please note .. we are a working farm so please email us if we are not around. We will reply to you as soon as possible.

PS (we have no mobile reception at the farm)

Our sheepdog handling courses are designed for the absolute beginner or novice.... one-to-one or group tuition >
We have a team of working sheepdogs trained to work to a high standard with members of the public. On your experience you will handle a dog with sheep around a course to test your new skills at the end of your instruction.

Alan (left), teaching a couple the magic of
sheepdog handling.

The beauty of working sheepdogs is that it requires minimum physical effort but offers a real challegnge to both dog and handler. Our dogs operate on a variety of commands which you will learn. The most fun is when you put your new skills into practice, however, as sheep can be a fickle animal at the best of times they dont always do as instructed and this may be your greatest enjoyment! - either way we are sure you will have the most memorable time with us!

 

Distance work by one of our keen pupils

Here's Alan with two sheepdog experience converts from Japan

Alan, demonstrating how to pen sheep

As part of your sheepdog experience you could learn:
		A variety of verbal and whistle sheepdog commands. How to put sheepdog commands into working practice. Some aspects of a busy Lake District herdwick sheep farm. A fascinating insight into hilltop farming in the English Lake District.

We run our sheepdog handling courses in many ways : A comprehensive 1 hour experience where you could learn all about sheepdog handling. A 2 hour experience which encompasses all aspects of sheepdog handling together with an insight into the training of our younger dogs. (for the two hour experience we offer an inclusive break for tea/coffee or a light lunch depending on the time of day - please ask at the time of booking) One to one advanced tution for that extra special experience . (price on application) Corporate or group instructional sessions . (price on application)

Pricing (per person) 1 hour course - £40.00 01229 716235 2 hour course - £60.00

At your time of booking please supply us with names of participants so we can prepare your sheepdog handling "certificate" - example below

Please ring for details on group bookings and corporate events . (sorry - we only accept cash or cheques) Advisory information Dont forget to bring suitable waterproofs and warm clothing - it never rains but just in case! Remember to bring stout waterproof foot wear or wellingtons. Please think carefully before booking if you have a fear/allergy of dogs and/or sheep/farm animals. All gift vouchers are valid for 3 months from the time of purchase. Please note the sheepdog experience is not for your own dog(s) but feel free to bring them along (on a lead and under control)

Some of our Dogs