SCHOOLBOY’S SENSATIONAL SHEPHERD SKILLS
web Sunday Mail
The black and white collie, guided by the schoolboy’s whistles, is practising sheep dog trialling skills on the family flock.
But their close bond will be fully put to the test as the 11- year- old becomes the youngest Scot to appear on One Man And His Dog.
Murray, from Lockerbie, has been training four-yearold Queen since he was eight and has made it into the finals of the BBC show.
He said: “Queen is a calm and quiet dog and she seems to listen to me. I definitely think she could bring back the trophy.
“But you need luck on your side on the day too. Not all the sheep want to do what they’re told and some will walk the other way. It can be frustrating.”
Murray f irst took an interest in trialling almost four years ago when he started helping out his father Billy and grandfather Allan, 69, on the 1500-acre farm.
The Common family have been farming the land for eight generations and Murray is the third generation in his family to try his hand at dog trials.
For Murray, it all came naturally as he realised he could di rect Queen through his whistles and commands so he started to compete locally.
He said: “I love running dogs. It relaxes you. But it can be nerve-wracking trying to keep the dog steady and making sure the sheep aren’t upset. But I think I’m getting better.
“I’ve won the pink ribbon at novice trials and I won the young handler pink ribbon three years in a row. I really enjoy it and hopefully I’ll be doing it for the rest of my life.”
Billy, 40, who lives on the farm with wife Kirsty, 43, Murrayy and Murray’s brother Innes, nine, said: “I remember going to trials with my father when he was in his 20s and 30s and he did well.
“I noticed Murray was a natural and took to it quickly. He showed a lot of interest early on, watching my father and I out with the dogs.
“My advice to him was to watch other handlers and how they do it.
“Murray and Queen are the best of pals but he also knows the trials are a sport and you are trying to get the best from the animals. You’re trying to get the sheep round the course as smoothly as possible. It’s all about the relationship between the dog and yourself.”
One Man And His Dog will see the best shepherds and shepherdesses from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales battle it out to see who is the ultimate dog handler. Murray is representing Scotland in the 11 to 13-year-old category.
The final, hosted by Matt Baker, will be shown on a special edition of Countryfile on BBC1 on September 23.
Billy added: “Murray is out most nights with Queen getting her working. That’s on top of his school work and sports. He plays rugby and golf so he’s always busy.
“He has every chance of picking up a trophy. We’re proud of him either way.”
Allan said: “I’m so pleased he has taken up trialling and I’m keen to see how he progresses. He’s a natural – and he and Queen have a great relationship.”
Countryfile said Murray is their youngest competitor. A spokeswoman added: “Murray is very young but he’s incredibly mature in his attitude towards sheepdog handling.
“He’s learnt a lot from his father and grandfather – both of whom are former competitors in One Man And His Dog.
“It ’ s amazing to see such a young man with a passion for what is an age- old tradition.” tradition.