HOW TO PEN DUCKS WITH A SHEEPDOG

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29316, 22 September 1960, Page 18

HOW TO PEN DUCKS WITH A SHEEPDOG

The first public demonstration in North Canterbury of how to round-up ducks and pen them with a sheepdog will be given at the Addington Show Grounds on Sunday. The participants will be Mr R. M. Wjlson, of Kirwee, one of New Zealand's best-known competitors in sheepdog trials; Starlight, Mr Wilson’s two-year-old sheepdog which has already won 12 open prizes, and three Indian runner ducks. The occasion wil be the annual Press v. Police Rugby match and other entertainment, the proceeds from which are given to charity (this year to be divided between the Marylands Boys’ Home and Aged People’s Welfare Council). Mr Wilson has been competing in dog trials for 30 years and has won 30 to 40 championships and 600 first prizes. In the New Zealand sheepdog championships held in Marlborough this year, Mr Wilson won the short head championship with Trump, the sire of Starlight, and judged the long head championship event. “The occasion on Sunday is for a good cause. The spectators like novelty events, so I decided to use ducks instead of sheep,” said Mr Wilson. He has built a pen 2ft square for the event artd is quietly confident that Starlight will yard his unusual charges—although the ducks will not have thejr wings clipped. “People have told me they knew I was cranky but did not think I was cranky enough to try this,” commented Mr Wilson when asked if there had been any allegations of quackery against him. “Ducks have about the same level of intelligence as wild sheep when it comes to shepherding,” Mr Wilson explained. “I shall send the ducks away from me. heading, pulling and driving them so they coine straight back to me. “Then I’ll take them round in a circle so that everyone present can see. It is difficult to please everyone—those who can appreciate a dog and his handling and

those who just want to see the job done. x “The demonstration will be much the same as if sheep were being shepherded. I do not want to lower the prestige of the sheepdog. The sheepdog’s work to this country is incalculable. Imagine what a mess New Zealand would be in if say, through some disease, every sheepdog died overnight.

“Ducks are very light on the turn, so they must be shepherded with care. The dog must hold them by his strong eye, position and balance. If the dog gives then the hammer they will simply fly-off.” Mr Wilson said he had no ducks on his farm and would “just have to pick-up three ducks.” Last year, at Fairlie, he gave a demonstration of duck-dog shepherding. “I was given three white ducks to shepherd and would rather take the same for Sunday. But they don’t seem available so I'll make do with runner ducks."

If the ducks got out of position it was difficult for the sheepdog to get them back on the track. At Fairlie, one of the ducks “took off, but it soon came back,” Mr Wilson said cheerfully.