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He's quackers!

Roy rounds up the ducks for me


Published by: Fran Bailey
Published on: 11th October 2010

Standing in a windswept field, I watched my 80 sheep race one way, then the other.
My trusty three-year-old border collie Roy was herding them up.
‘You made easy work of that,’ I smiled, ruffling his shaggy black coat.
I’d never doubted his ability. Roy was so good, he’d won a place at the International Sheep Dog Society’s English National Trials.
But I wondered if he ever got bored of gathering sheep around a field.
‘How can I keep you on your toes… or paws?’ I wondered aloud to him that evening. He put his head on one side, trying to understand what I was on about.
‘I’m thinking…ducks!’ I winked. It might sound quackers, but I’d heard ducks responded like sheep when trained with a dog, and what better way to keep Roy amused, than with a flock of his own?
So I ordered five Indian Runner Ducks, and, sure enough, the second they arrived and walked out across the back lawn, Roy dashed about, trying to round them up!
‘Fancy a challenge do you?’ I teased, tickling him behind the ears. ‘How about we make this a little harder?’
I got to work setting up an obstacle course using hurdles, a seesaw, tunnels and a ramp that slid into a paddling pool, then Roy led his feathered flock around the course, and over the ramp, then…
‘Great stuff,’ I laughed as they waddled along in a perfect line and into a tunnel without any problems whatsoever.
The birds didn’t seem upset about being herded by a dog because they could tell he wasn’t being aggressive.
‘You’re amazing, Roy!’ I told him. As if to agree, he rounded them up again.
Now I do two displays a day for children, three times a week, and everyone loves it.
I’m working on some magic tricks too, like ducks going in one end of a tunnel and ducklings coming out the other.
Well, if it goes wrong, I’ll just wing it!
Emma Gray, 24, Ewesley, Northumberland