Sheepdog Trialling on TV General Chat

Sheepdogs on Scottish Television

Farpaisean Chon Chaorach

The series will begin transmitting on Friday 24th October 9pm channel 168 on Sky, or 110 on Freesat.

A truly compelling series featuring the popular world of sheep dog trialing. Travelling the best of Scottish trials we follow those who qualify for the highly respected internationals and get to know the local veterans, young hopefuls and favourites in the world of sheep dog handling.

In addition to the spell binding action from the event itself each episode explores the essential background to the ideal sheep dog trial team. Welfare, training, breeding, biogs of the competitors and International travel are all explored. This gripping series captures the powerful connection between the handler and his dog as they display unrivalled agility, intelligence and skill.

Farpaisean Chon Chaorach is presented by Donald Macsween and Catriona Macphee, two young fresh Presenters with deep connections to countryside, crofting and farming. The series is directed by Gary Coia, previous director of Nick Hancocks Fishing School (ITV), and Britains Top Dog (Channel 4). Farpaisean Chon Chaorach is produced by MNE Media for BBC ALBA and is due to be transmitted every Friday 9pm from the 24th October.

Farpaisean Chon Chaorach Prog info:

Ep 1: Dunvegan:

Beginning on the spectacular Isle of Skye for the Dunvegan Sheep Dog Trials, Catriona and Donald embark on a journey to discover the gripping world of sheep dog trialing. A visit to the legendary former International Brace Champion KC Mackinnon, captures the amazing levels of communication between a dog and his handler and Catriona discovers the elements of a trial course that test each team to their limits.

Ep 2: Cowal Open, Dunoon

Catriona and Donald continue their journey through Scotland’s sheep dog trials to visit the Cowal Open in Argyll. The formidable Davidson family lend an insight to their success through the generations and former Scottish National Champion Iain Brownlie demonstrates how to begin training a puppy for the demanding life of a working sheepdog.

Ep 3 Ardlamont Open SDT

Highlights from the Ardlamont Open Sheep Dog Trials and a visit to two of Scotlands young aspiring sheep dog trialists. Catriona meets 34 yr old Lorne Clark from Tarbert to discover what owning a registered dog has meant for him, and Donald meets 28yr Laura Cunningham, one of the few conservation shepherds working in the UK who also has a passion for collies with unusual colourings.

Ep 4 Lochcarron Open

Catriona and Donald report on the days events at Lochcarron Sheepdog trials. World trialist Ewan Mackinnon shows Donald some methods of training the young dog whilst Catriona meets Kevin Howlett to discover his journey from a kitchen porter with no experience of farming or dogs, to becoming the International Young Handler in 2007.

Ep 5 Scottish National SDT Ballantrae

Highlights from the qualifying round of the Scottish National Sheepdog Trials. Donald discovers how numerous members of the Welsh family have become so successful in the world of sheepdog trialing.

Ep 6 Scottish National SDT Ballantrae

Highlights from the captivating Brace competition and more from the qualifying round of the Singles competition at the Scottish National Sheep dog trials. Donald visits International Supreme Champion and noted author Julie Hill to learn the Natural Way of training and working with your sheepdog.

Ep 7 Scottish National SDT Ballantrae

Highlights from the culmination of the Scottish National Sheep Dog Trials as the final team is chosen to go forward for the International competition. Catriona speaks to twice Supreme International Champion and highly regarded breeder Bobby Dalziel about breeding the ideal sheepdog.

Ep 8 International SDT, Conwy, Wales

Highlights from the International Sheepdog trials. Donald discovers the importance behind eye testing working sheepdogs and what this means for owners and breeders both now and in the future.


Ep 9 International SDT, Conwy, Wales

Highlights from the International Sheep dog trials as we discover how Scotland fair at this highly regarded competition. Catriona finds out the level of organisation and support behind travelling dogs from the USA to Manchester in time for the World SDT, and meets Nancy Obernier as she waits to be reunited with her dog after a strict entry procedure to the UK following their long haul flight.

Ep 10 World SDT Carmathenshire, Wales

Highlights from the World Sheep Dog Trials as Scottish competitors display the best of their agility and skill to the finest of trialists from around the world. Catriona and Donald explore the wealth of stalls, information and entertainment to be found at the venue.

This sounds really good! Does anyone know if those in Scotland who have freeview can view this?

Did anyone watch it?

I taped it, hope to watch it later
Margaret

Did you need the sub titiles
I Know I did
Margaret

Haha - yes I did need them!

There is a really interesting programme on the half an hour before the sheepdog programme, called "Croit".

"Croit follows the agricultural lives of five Scottish crofters over a twelve month period. Played out chronologically, the series reflects the activities, aspirations and risks that form the calendar of rural life.

Croit reveals an immense diversity in terms of character and style of crofting -- everything is recorded from the springtime ploughing, planting and lambing, through the summer shearing and shows, to the autumn sales and winter tupping.

The story of Croit is invariably one of great extremes, from the fear and apprehension experienced at times of crisis, to the high of success on show and sale days. This series captures the spirit and joy that is associated with the outdoors, cultivation and animals while at the same time revealing the exhaustion, hard work and exertion invested in such a lifestyle. Croit is an uplifting and positive portrait of a way of life that is now all too often dismissed as failing and fading. "


Really interesting, and well worth a watch ... oh, and it has subtitles too

I missed the first one :-( but have sky plused the rest of the series can't wait to see Ep three with my best friend Laura from Corriedhu on she had a great time filming, also watch out for the fabulous Mist and the fantastic Ffion. They also filmed her Scottish National runs and they will be shown in a later episode, you go girl definitly a sheepdog trialist superstar of the future

:mini::mini::mini::mini::mini::mini:

have i missed it?:-( and do i need freeview?

You've just missed the first episode last week its on this Friday episode 2 at 9pm channel 168 on Sky or 110 on Freeview

omg my outside arial needs upgraded:-( im using my old telewest one and only get bbc 3 itv 2 freeview channels,it will cost me £75 to see lauras dogs but it would be worth it

Sorry I missed it last week :-( Does anyone know which channel its on on Virgin. 110 is Living.
At Wag More Kay said it would be a good idea to find out more about how sheep dogs work and are trained so I'd really like to see this.

What is Wag More? You are more than welcome to come up here and see how sheepdogs work and are trained if you want to see it firsthand Janice?

The channel the programme is on is BBC Alba (a Gaelic Channel) and is number 168.

Oooh I'd love to take you up on that invitation sometime

WagMore Barn is the training place run by Kay Laurence. I went there with Dale in the summer holidays. She's worked with all sorts of dogs but was a shepherd at one time so knows lots about collies.
I haven't found Dale the easiest to understand and I've had lots of well meaning but not always helpful advice. At WagMore he was so much more relaxed and Kay explained a lot, but not all, of his behaviour as coming from very strong work drives so she gave me a lot more confidence
www.learningaboutdogs.com

Thanks for the link Janice - it looks interesting.

Let me know when you want to come up and watch the dogs, and we can sort something out

what about meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

when i get my dog i will teach him to herd my cats

I thought you had a problem with travel, if I remember rightly? If travelling is no probs, then you are more than welcome to come and meet the doggies (and sheep!) too

i have a problem going to crufts on my own thats it :?

No, I thought when you were looking for a pup the last time you were on Dogsey, you said you had difficulty getting transport to view litters or prospective parents etc. Please forgive me if I am confusing you with someone else?

no your right i dont have a car ;-) is your place hard to get to ?