Background
Following my studies at the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, in 2019, I moved from the home farm in Brecon to a council farm on the outskirts of Builth Wells with Anna. Here we have grown the established flock of 80 Suffolk cross Texel Mules to 120 ewes and 160 Welsh hill running ewes.
Together we originally had two sheepdogs, but our business, Pentre Sheepdogs, now houses 20 dogs which involves breeding, training, trialing and selling the dogs in auction.
My first dog, Ted, was purchased from a farm near Hay-On-Wye for £100. Despite being an unregistered dog, Ted gave me the opportunity to get the taste for training. He is still part of the team and I credit Ted for igniting my interest in the sheepdog world and trialing.
Successes
Since starting to trial, I have had many open placings with his two open trial dogs Pentre Meg and Pentre Jax which he bred and trained himself.
Both have taken the championship tiles at Radnor nursery trials; Meg in 2022, Jax in 2023.
And both dogs have competed in major trials including Shabfest where we placed fifth with Meg.
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Jax has only been competing in open trials for the last year, but together we qualified into three finals last year including Defaidty, Vivod and Llanharry.
My biggest success was qualifying for the European Nursery Final with Jax in 2024 in Germany. Out of the 150 competing, seven handlers made the final, so it was a proud moment when Iwan made it into the top seven.
Influences
Hailing from Brecon, I was lucky enough to be a stone's throw away from top handler, Kevin Evans. Kevin was always happy to help with any questions or issues I have to help progress in my dog trialing journey.
In terms of breeding, I am fond of breeding lines from Kevin Evan's Tanhill Glen line. Both dogs, Pentre Meg and Pentre Jax are sired by Glen and they have a great hunger for work and a willingness to please.
Passion
I find working sheepdogs very rewarding, making farm jobs easier and enjoyable when training pays off both for myself and other handlers.
Seeing a young dog progressing and watching their natural instinct and love for working sheep coming through is one of the most rewarding things.
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Future
Continuing to grow Pentre Sheepdogs is on the priority list for us here, with high hopes for litters out of Pentre Jax. When it comes to trialing, the ultimate aim is to one day make the Welsh team.
An active member of the South Wales Sheepdog Trials Association, I have found that it is a great community to be part of and a good way to meet fellow trialists, many whom have become good friends. Going to trials has helped me progress in handling by watching many of the experienced top handlers work their dogs.
If you would like to be featured, contact Ellie Layton, tel: 07814 997 407 or [email protected]
