10 QUESTIONS WITH CROPPER KATY
To mark the International Sheepdog Trials this month, the first female champion of One Man and His Dog shares her top dog-training tips
1 Sheepdog trialling was a quirky career choice. How did that happen?
I didn’t grow up in a farming family but I came across sheepdog trialling while I was living on Anglesey with my first husband. I drove past a competition and knew I wanted to do it – I love animals and I’m incredibly competitive. I swapped my husband for a sheepdog. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
2 You’ve been competing for 30 years. Still love it?
I can’t get enough. In the past year, I’ve won three championships, as well as competing as part of the English team. This autumn, I’m hoping to smash the nursery trials with my dog Jacobsdale Gin.
3 You must have befriended a lot of dogs…
I’ve trained at least 50, but a few stand out. In the early years, I had one called Lad. He only had three legs, but he learnt commands faster than most dogs with four.
4 One Man and His Dog has been on TV for more than 40 years. What’s the enduring appeal?
I think it’s because the trials are so steeped in tradition. Farmers have been working with dogs for hundreds of years. The show drew eight million viewers at its peak and is still shown on Countryfile. It celebrates the connection between a human and an animal – and that’s endlessly fascinating.
5 Is it hard being a female handler?
It was a lot tougher when I started because there were so few female competitors, but there are more now. In the early Nineties, you’d never see a female judge either, but I’ve judged all over the world. I much prefer competing, though. I don’t think I’ll ever retire from that.
6 There are several ‘celebrity’ shepherdesses now on social media. Do you flock together?
I feel some shepherdesses risk making the profession seem more glamorous than it is, especially on social media. You can’t just hold a crook, pat a dog and become a shepherdess. But I am close to others. Emma Gray [star of BBC Two show This Farming Life] is a good friend and the real deal.
7 So training dogs isn’t a glamorous job?
It’s hard work! I keep ten sheepdogs, as well as my daughter’s three black Labs, at my house in Cumbria. Some live inside; others are in kennels. I’m up at dawn, exercising them all. Then I train my dogs in between looking after my sheep. I recently bought a flock of Scotch Blackfaces – they’re a really noble breed but big and tough to manage, especially because I’m small and I’m getting on a bit now. At this time of year, I take some of the dogs onto the fells, where my flock have been grazing all summer, so that they can bring them to lower pasture. I’m out in all weathers. Some days, I go through four coats because they get soaked in the rain. Mostly, I’m up when it’s light and I’m shattered by the time it gets dark, but it’s a grand life really.
8 Hasn’t your daughter followed you into the field? Henrietta competed on One Man and His Dog a few years ago when she was 12. I was really proud of her, but I’ve never pushed her into sheepdog handling. She’s off to study medicine at university this year. I’m going to miss her!
9 Any advice for managing mischievous dogs?
You need to show the dog who’s the pack leader, forming a connection with them so that they hang on to your every word. I run obedience courses for dog owners and I’ve had a lot come to me with pets they bought during lockdown and don’t know how to control. They tend to pander to them, trying to train them with treats. That’s a waste of money! I feel sorry for dogs who pull on their lead and bite. They want to please their owner, but you have to tell them what to do. Dogs aren’t machines. They have a soul, and every one is different. But what they all need is good connection and clear boundaries. It’s that simple. I’ve never refused to work with a dog. Whatever the problem, I can fix it.
10 Dogs or humans: which do you prefer?
I might have to say dogs. I’ve always got on better with animals than people…
“I’ve never refused to work with a dog. Whatever the problem, I can fix it”