WELSH SHEEPDOG NEWS 2014
2015 INTER-BRANCH COMPETITION
The
The South Wales group are hosting this year's competition, which will be held on land near Ty'n Cornel hostel, Llanddewi Brefi, on 27th September at 11am. Refreshments available, admission by raffle ticket �1 per person (or more if you wish!). Come and see some of our best dogs at work and filming for BBC's documentary about Welsh Sheepdogs.
WELSH SHEEPDOGS ON COUNTRYFILE!
On 27TH September 2015 BBC1's Countryfile will feature Welsh Sheepdogs as part of their One Man and his Dog feature. The film will show Alwyn Evans working his Welsh Black cattle with Maengwynedd Taff and a litter of puppies by Wilden Eddie out of Plas y Bryniau Merle.
SOUTH WALES GROUP TEAM SELECTION DAY
The South Wales Branch's selection day for the 2015 Inter-branch Competition will be on Sunday 14th September 2014at 2pm. Members with registered dogs are welcome to come and try for a place on the team. Friendly atmosphere, no pressure, come and run your dog for fun. Put them through the handling system, load a trailer (bottom deck) catch a sheep (with a crook), drive. Come on you all do these jobs at home, give it a go!
WELSH SHEEPDOG SOCIETY YOUNG PEOPLES' BURSARY 2015
At the Royal Welsh Show 2015 the third young people's bursary saw 6 young farmers presented with Welsh pups at the Royal Welsh Show. These 6 youngsters were recommended by our regional groups and the presentation was made by Kate Humble and filmed by the BBC production team.
SOUTH WALES GROUP TRAINING DAY
The South Wales Branch's next trining day will be on Sunday 14th September 2014at 3pm. Address is Hafod Hir Uchaf, Bethania Llanon, near Aberaeron.
Whilst all members are welcome to come along and bring their dogs, these training days are intended for those who are working their dogs or intending to work them on stock at home, not as a training course for dogs that never see stock otherwise. Working assessments are carried out under the rules of the Society, which allow that dogs must be 18 months old and trained to work to a utility level before they can be assessed. To register a dog who does not already have a Society number, name and address of the breeder and names of parents and grandparents of the dog, together with their owners, must be presented. If these ancestors are not already registered with the Welsh Sheepdog Society then the dog has to pass the assessment to be eligible for registration .
Please could those intending to bring dogs to work, register or for assessment contact South Wales group secretary Lisa Oneil-Smith on email lisa.oneilsmith@btinternet.com prior to the date.
INTER-BRANCH COMPETITION
The
Mid-Wales Branch hosted the first Welsh Sheepdog Society interbranch competition on 1st June. This was a very successful event, with different dogs driving, gathering, catching, doing pen work and loading a trailer for their team. The event was well supported by competitiors and spectators alike and there were some very good dogs and shepherds showing what they could do. A number of young dogs were forward for assessment on the day and it was great to see so many young handlers bringing their dogs forward for licencing.
MID WALES GROUP DEMONSTRATION DAY
The Mid-Wales group is holding an open day/demonstration day in conjunction with the Welsh Mountain Sheep Society at Llannerch Farm, Bontgoch, Talybont on 28th September at 1pm. This should be an interesting day out for sheep farmers and a great opportunity to see some good Welsh dogs at work. For more details, ring Enoc Jenkins on 07828156233
NORTH WALES GROUP MEMBERS DAY
STOP PRESS! The venue of North Wales group's annual members day has changed! It is now to be held on 22nd September at Brynllwyn, Gwaunysgor, LL18 6EP, commencing 1pm. Open to all members and anybody who has bought a registered pup and interested in getting involved, it's a good chance to socialise and see dogs at work - you might wish to work your own trained dog, or have it assessed for breeding. Further details 01974 202 560
SOUTH WALES GROUP TRAINING DAY
The South Wales branch's had a successful training day at Llynbedwr Farm, Talybont on Usk. Simon Mogford acted as the day's trainer to a good group of young dogs brought for a chance to work the sheep. Assessments were also carried out.
Photos, left, Lisa Williams working Gwen, right, Simon discusses the finer points of Harri with Kate Daniels, below, Anna Davies doing well with bursary pup Tanygraig George
NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD
The Clwyd YFC members had a stand at the Eisteddfod featuring Agriculture in Wales. They decided to include Welsh Sheepdogs in their display. Thanks to the members who made a good job of presenting our dogs to a wider audience and Bob Williams, who took his dogs along.
SOUTH WALES GROUP TRAINING DAY
The South Wales branch held their first training day at Maesyron, Llamgammarch, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Bob Smith. We had beautiful weather, good sheep and a lovely friendly atmosphere which set us up for success with a group of dogs ranging from 6 month old pups having thier first look at sheep off their own farm to more experienced dogs and handlers wanting advice on how to progress. The intention is to hold a series of these gatherings over the summer at different venues.
Above,Tomos Jones from Cardigan works his bursary dog with guidance from Ian Davies, below, socialising dogs and people with Elizabeth Rees and her pup working, and Twll-y-Gwyddil Zoe relaxed but in charge
NORTH WALES BRANCH GOES SHOWING
The North Wales Branch have taken to the road, blazing the trail of the Welsh Sheepdog in their area at local shows. Good luck to the publicity team and we hope you will meet them out and about!
NSA WELSH SHEEP 2013
South Wales Branch members demonstrated four dogs at work during the day. Dogs were shown doing regular farm tasks like putting sheep through the handling system and onto a trailer. The working team for the day were Simon Mogford with Penlanlwyd Tango, Nigel Stone with Aberaeron Grif, Ian Davies with Penlanlwyd Bel V and Adeline Jones with Wilden Smasher. The Society stand was there too with puppies for sale. Thanks to everyone involved for a very successful event.
NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH
The Welsh Sheepdog Society has a new South Wales branch. Our intention is to hold social events and training workshops throughout the year in this area but our first event will be NSA Welsh Sheep where we will demonstrate dogs at work.
NORTH WALES BRANCH OPEN DAY 2012
The North Wales Branch held their annual Open Day on Sunday, 21st October 2012 at Brynllwyn, Gwaunysgor, Rhyl, by kind permission of Derek Jones. We had good weather and the location was fantastic with the backdrop of the sea and offshore windfarm. The dogs coped well with a challenging course.
Madog Bob, A tricoloured 5-year-old dog owned by Arwyn Lloyd of Arthog, works a group of lambs down a slope.
Bob Williams's Safn y Coed Gwen brought a group of 300 ewes and ewe lambs into the pens.
Huw Roberts blue merle bitch showed well in her breeding assessment.
WELSH SHEEPDOG SOCIETY YOUNG PEOPLES' BURSARY 2012
At the Royal Welsh Show 2012 a second group of young people recieved 'bursary pups' from the Welsh Sheepdog Society, presented by Welsh celebrity Shan Cothi. These youngsters are from farming backgrounds and will receive back-up training from existing members.
Pictured below, one very happy young team at the show!
TY LLWYD BONNIE TROPHY 2012
The Ty Llwyd Bonnie trophy for the best run at an open day in the previous 12 months was awarded this year to Arthur Williams with Parllau Sam. This very good dog is now 8 years old and follows in the footsteps of his sire, Tynygraig Sam, who is a previous winner.
NORTHERN BRANCH MEMBERS' DAY
The annual Members meet at Dolhaidd on 18th May 2012 was well attended with a number of good dogs shown working on the hill. Despite a lot of rain around that date it managed to stay dry, if windy, all afternoon. Pictured is Safn y Coed Mot, son of Aberaeron Grif bringing the sheep from the hill. Mot went on to win the Bonnie trophy for his run at Brynllwyn later in the year.
EXPORT NEWS
Members recently organised an export of 4 well bred pups, 2 dogs and 2 bitches, to start a breeding nucleus in the Czech Republic. These dogs will be brought on and trained up to work cattle and sheep. The plan is to have them assessed and the pups registered with the WSDS in the future. The latest news from our Czech friends whose pups are now around 6 months old and starting work, is "The pups we have are doing great. Milos was showing them at a shepherd event recently and they did great - even though they were working in an unknown place with a large crowd of people around. Mom says the pups try to work gently, but effectively and keep turning to her to be sure they are doing what they are supposed to."
Another pup went to Switzerland last winter. Good luck to the new owners, we hope your young dogs work well for you!
PUPS IN THE USA
Congratulations to Martha who has just bred a lovely litter from her two imported dogs, Penlanlwyd Bryn and Wilden Tango, on her farm in Alabama. Bryn and Tango are very much workers by breeding and they keep Martha's herd of Belted Galloways in order. These pups, who should be fully capable of working big flocks or cattle, will be for sale, so this is a very rare opportunity for our American friends to get hold of some top class Welsh dogs without having to import. Interested parties should contact Martha by email, martha@longgreylinefarm.com
NORTHERN BRANCH OPEN DAY
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A demonstration of Welsh Sheepdogs at work was held on 9th October at Buarth-y-Re, Llanrhaeadr-y-Mochnant. This successful day was organised by the North Wales branch of the Welsh Sheepdog Society. Pictured is Penlanlwyd Cymro, alias Jaff, waiting on the back of the Quad Bike. Thanks to Lydsay Nicholson for the photo.
DOLHAIDD MEMBERS DAY
The Dolhaidd members evening was held on Friday, 10th June. Members showed their dogs on the hill and demonstration dogs for Buarth-y-Re chosen.
WELSH SHEEPDOG FOR SALE IN GERMANY!
A rare opportunity for somebody to purchase a well-bred, 6-year-old, registered, tricolour male Welsh Sheepdog currently living and working sheep in Germany. Good working home essential. Trained Welsh Sheepdogs are very hard to buy even in the UK, so yes, it is big news this dog has become available! Contact martin.ellis52@googlemail.com
NSA WELSH SHEEP EVENT 2011
The Welsh Sheepdog Society gave working demonstrations at this event on 18 May 2011. Thanks to all those who showed their dogs.
COMPUTERISATION OF REGISTRATIONS
We are currently working on converting record keeping and registration on to a computer based system. Please bear with us while we work on getting the new database up and running and past records uploaded.
TY LLWYD BONNIE AWARD
Every year the Ty Llwyd Bonnie Award is presented to the best handler/dog at the Society's Demonstration and Open Days. This year Dewi Jenkins took the prize with his bitch, Tynygraig Beti, for an excellent show at Blaen-y-Cwm, Penmachno.
FIELD AND RURAL LIFE WEBSITE
The Field and Rural Life Magazine has just produced their December issue, which has a super illustrated article on Welsh Sheepdogs - have a look at this here
ITALIAN WEBSITE
There is a new Italian Language website featuring an article about Welsh Sheepdogs, check it out here
GENETICS STUDY
Hannah Fairclough, a third year student of Zoology and microbiology at Aberystwyth University is conducting a study of the genetic origin of the Welsh Sheepdog under the supervision of Matt Hegarty who is part of the Genetic Diversity group in the IBERS department. The aim of the study is to determine the ancestry of the Welsh Sheepdog breed using genetic markers to identify the number of paternal and maternal founders. Hannah needs owners of registered Welsh Sheepdogs to volunteer to have their animals tested. This is a simple and painless procedure involving a saliva sample. If you are interested in volunteering your dog for sample, contact Hannah by email, her address is hff8@aber.ac.uk
WELSH WINTER FAIR 29th-30th November 2010
Come and see us at the Welsh Sheepdog Society stand at the Fair which will be situated near to the sheep ring. Welsh Sheepdog mugs, Christmas cards, dog whistles and more on the stand aswell as adverts for dogs for sale.
YOUNG HANDLERS' PROJECT
The Welsh Sheepdog Society have sponsored 6 young handlers who were given a pup each to bring on and train. Our young handlers have done a good job with their pups, who are now in their second year. On 9th October, the Society held an afternoon meeting to give the youngsters a chance to show off their dogs. Those that were able to attend gave a super demonstration and breeding certificates were issued to the dogs who worked to a high standard. The dogs gathered the flock,drove them through a gate and down a lane into the yard. From here they put them into a building, turned them and ran them through a handling system with a footbath. Pictured below are Conor Price's Morgan and Gwion Davies' Jack working in the yard.
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The event was held at Dafydd Jenkins' farm, Tanrallt, Talybont, and it was a pleasure to see some of his prizewinning Welsh flock looking so well. Below are his dogs bringing a group of tup lambs into the building during the day.
WELSH SHEEPDOG OPEN DAY AT PENLANLWYD 2010
Ian and Gayner Davies and their son Gareth had a super afternoon for their Open day on 29th August. Derek Morgan, our Chairman, opened the day with an address to those present. He stated that the breed had effectively been saved from extinction with approaching 2000 puppies registered since 1996. He was looking forward to the future with the Society performing a slightly different role, consolidating the good work of the last 14 years.
Our demonstration dogs showed some good field work and all loaded the trailer well. The day's demo team were Adeline Jones with red Milwyn Heini, Enoc Jenkins with black and tan Dolhaidd Gwenno, Dafydd Jenkins with tri Machno Morgan, Adeline Jones with black and white Wilden Smasher.
The ewes were some middle aged dry speckles and there were some characters amongst them, too!
Six young dogs were assessed all of whom gathered and loaded the trailer in grand style. It was encouraging to see some good young handlers showing their dogs to a very high standard.
WELSH SHEEPDOG OPEN DAY AT WILDEN 2010
The first Open day of the year was held at Wilden, St Michaels, our hosts Tim and Adeline Jones. We had some super weather, too hot if anything. We clashed with England playing in the World Cup (football) so we were a select gathering of quality, not quantity!!.
The day opened with some lovely work from our demonstration dogs, showing a gather, pen, race work, drive and to finish off the ewes loaded on a trailer and brought off again. Stars of the day (pictured above) were Bob Williams with Milwyn Jill, Adeline Jones with an impromptu brace of Milwyn Heini and Wilden Smasher, Owain Pugh with Parc Tan, Dafydd Gwyndaf with Pantyrodyn Taff, Tom Lewis with Madog Jim and Ian Davies with Cwmbyr Belle. The ewes for the day were some dry Texel yearlings who tend to flock together well but can be a bit stubborn if they get in a huddle with their heads down!
Above, Bob Williams and Jill put the sheep up the race.
Above, Ian Davies releases the ewes from the pen after running them through the race, and Belle takes them on toward the trailer.
There followed a run of assessments, with five dogs put forward and all passed. The assessments used the whole flock of 150 yearlings, which were by this time hot and cross, but all our candidates worked well and moved the flock in good style.
