I’ve long been a keen advocate of our rare and vulnerable native breeds and have written numerous articles about them and possible ways to boost their dwindling numbers over the years. Usually, I have gone along the lines of how to redeploy these beautiful dogs into brand new 21st century vocations – given that many of the jobs they were originally bred to do – now longer exist or no longer require them.
However, for my recent two-parter in Country Smallholding Magazine I tried a completely different approach, I wanted to showcase examples of some of the “at risk” terriers and herding breeds doing the job they were initially bred for and their possible usefulness for the modern-day smallholder/hobby farmer.
The shepherding/herding breeds I chose were the Smooth Collie, the working Beardie and the Lancashire Heeler.
I have to say a big ‘thank-you’ to all the breed clubs and breeders/owners who all offered me so much help and advice- especially Veronica Mash (of the Rylance Smooth Collies), Janine Rees-Denman of the Denwyn Border Collies and Alison Jones and her adorable Lancashire Heeler, Foxy! These people are so very passionate about their dogs and their breeds’ continued survival – it was certainly heartening to witness their complete dedication and devotion to breeds that aren’t a commercial proposition nor big hitters in the show ring.
The people attracted to these breeds simply love them for what they are – and that is to be applauded.
Sadly, constraints on space prevented a number of beautiful photographs of some of these dogs doing their jobs from being published in the magazine, so I am putting a few up in this blog, hopefully they might inspire a few interested folk to give them a rethink…and possibly a job!
Lee Connor 
I enjoyed your blog, I hope you write a follow on blog on the ftraining ways with these dogs.
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