0:00:07 > 0:00:09We may live in a digital age...
0:00:11 > 0:00:15..but a surprising amount of British trade is still done the
0:00:15 > 0:00:16old-fashioned way...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17INDISTINCT BIDDING
0:00:19 > 0:00:21..at traditional auctions.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Now's your time to get a bargain.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27These sales may feel like throwbacks to a bygone age...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31..but for the buyers and sellers who flock to them,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33they're still the best way to conduct business.
0:00:33 > 0:00:361,600, blow your nose, and bid again.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39We'll be visiting the UK's most dynamic traditional markets.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45..selling everything from pigs to cattle,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47sheep dogs to ponies...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..fish to veg,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and discovering how they are the heartbeat of rural life.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58There'll be bargains to be had today.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- 450.- That's part of being at an auction.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08Today, we're in Wales, at Britain's oldest sheepdog auction,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11where tomorrow's champions will sell for serious money.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14At 5,000 guineas.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15We'll be meeting the auctioneers...
0:01:15 > 0:01:182004, look at the dog here now.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20You can't put a price on a really good dog.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26..and following the fortunes of three buyers and sellers...
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Bidding's very easy. You have to make eye contact before you start.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Yeah, they won't miss you after that.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33..through the mud and pouring rain...
0:01:33 > 0:01:35The weather's so, so bad.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39..as they experience all the excitement...
0:01:39 > 0:01:42There is an electric atmosphere, here, especially when you go
0:01:42 > 0:01:44£2,000, £3,000, £4,000, £5,000.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46..and tension...
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- Hey! Hey!- Very nervous, now. Very nervous at the moment.
0:01:49 > 0:01:50..as the hammer falls.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07We're in Snowdonia, Wales' first National Park.
0:02:10 > 0:02:142,000 square kilometres of spectacular mountains and lakes.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21The heart of the rural economy is farming.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26And this region of around a million sheep is also home to a very special
0:02:26 > 0:02:28twice-yearly auction.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31It happens in this field.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36On the edge of Bala, a tiny medieval market town,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38it's the UK's longest-running sheepdog sale.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42The excitement of it all gets a bit to you, to me,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44and probably gets to the dog as well.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47We just come, hope for the best, and see what happens.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48See what pops up.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Let's hope that some people will come today to buy my dog.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54It's very important for the area.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Very important for people who sell because there are professional dog
0:02:58 > 0:03:00handlers there as well who do the
0:03:00 > 0:03:02dogs just for the Bala sheepdog sale,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05and they use it as an extra income for their businesses.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Auctioneers Glyn Owens and his colleague Elfor Morris run
0:03:14 > 0:03:17a thrice-weekly livestock sale not far from Bala.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21And twice a year, they host the region's big event...
0:03:23 > 0:03:24..the sheepdog auction.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29A good sheepdog these days is worth anywhere between £5,000 and £6,000
0:03:29 > 0:03:31and £7,000.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34And if you have got a very good trial dog,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37it's in excess of £10,000.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Bala auction has been running for over 40 years.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43It often attracts crowds of 600 or 700.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46But as the buyers and sellers gather today,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48it's clear one thing is against them...
0:03:50 > 0:03:51..the weather.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst weather we have
0:03:55 > 0:03:56experienced here.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Today is absolutely terrible.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01But there we are. It's one of those things.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03We can't do anything about the weather.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06But luckily, the farmers here are hardy.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Even the weather doesn't put us off. You know, we've seen this before.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11Keep going, plod on.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15The event attracts buyers from all over the UK and
0:04:15 > 0:04:18phone bidders from Europe and even the USA.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Glyn's been selling here for over 30 years.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25I enjoy it because I love sheepdogs.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29I've got sheepdogs myself and the enjoyment is satisfaction of getting
0:04:29 > 0:04:31a good trade for people as well.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34They put their financial business into our hands,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37so when you do a good job for them, that is great satisfaction.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43It's always an auction that fellow auctioneer, Elfor, looks forward to.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48You sort of pride yourself on achieving the best price possible,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and so the buzz, if you like,
0:04:50 > 0:04:54of having a good price for someone is where the enjoyment comes.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00Conditions are harsh for the sellers and their dogs, but the terrible
0:05:00 > 0:05:03weather isn't going to stop the sale.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Well, ladies and gentlemen, we are now ready to start the sale.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Over 70 sheepdogs will converge on this field over the course of the day.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13HE WHISTLES
0:05:13 > 0:05:15There's a lot of preparation.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Every handler will have spent six months at least training each dog.
0:05:19 > 0:05:201,000 Guineas.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Lucky man there on the fence.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The handler takes the dog into the arena, which is a field
0:05:25 > 0:05:29of about four, five acres. The sheep at the end of the field.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32He'll work the dog on the field for three minutes.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37But during that three minutes, we then start to sell the sheepdog.
0:05:37 > 0:05:381,000 bid right here.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43People can see exactly what they are buying as they run on the field and
0:05:43 > 0:05:45the buyers then will be bidding accordingly.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Worth every penny and more.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51And hopefully everything goes well and the dog will have a premium and
0:05:51 > 0:05:54sell well for the handler. There are dogs on that catalogue that I know
0:05:54 > 0:05:56that will sell well.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59With those dogs, there is an electric atmosphere there and it
0:05:59 > 0:06:02goes quiet and it's brilliant, especially when you go £2,000,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04£3,000, £4,000, £5,000.
0:06:04 > 0:06:071,000. 50. 11. 50. 12.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Both the trainer and the dog are under the spotlight,
0:06:11 > 0:06:12so tensions are high.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14It's a great pressure.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Some of these dogs have not seen people.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21It's another pressure for the handler how the dog is going to work.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Not only that, how the sheep are going to react.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26And if the sheep are a bit awkward,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28it makes it more awkward for the dog and the handler.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30So, there is pressure right through.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33You may have a good dog at home, but things may go wrong
0:06:33 > 0:06:35and it won't show at its best.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Potential buyers are looking to see how well the dog handles
0:06:39 > 0:06:44the sheep, as one that works them too hard isn't desirable.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48They'll also look to see how they control the sheep and if they can
0:06:48 > 0:06:50obey basic commands.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55A good dog, he'll set on his sheep with the head in the right position.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59And the head position is very important, the way it's not too high,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03and also the tail is set between the legs of the dog, not in the air.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10On we go, if you will, please, to lot number 13.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Come on.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Seller Doug Lambie is a veteran of this auction
0:07:15 > 0:07:18with dogs that often get top prices.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Doug lives around ten miles from the auction.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Working the dog is hugely relaxing for me,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39and it does probably more for my
0:07:39 > 0:07:41head than it's doing for the dog's head,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43so there's something special there
0:07:43 > 0:07:44that I can't put into words,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46but it's very important for me to do it.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Atta boy!
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Doug grew up on a farm in Oban, on the West Coast of Scotland.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56He's been around Collie dogs his entire life.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I was lucky enough to grow up with Collies.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03When I was young, we played with our Collies,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06we had them pointing rabbits for us and doing all the things that a boy
0:08:06 > 0:08:08should've done when we were ferreting and things.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Then we just progressed into working them.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16We trained dogs from an early age and didn't really know we were doing it.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20In 1997, Doug and his wife, Ann, moved to Wales and took over her
0:08:20 > 0:08:23family farm when her father retired.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Shortly afterwards, he started training sheepdogs,
0:08:28 > 0:08:32and over the years, he's noticed a growing demand.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36People buy and train dogs, it's probably a new thing,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38or becoming more and more so.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Lots of farmers seem to have less time to train their own dogs,
0:08:42 > 0:08:47so there's probably more dogs bought now than there probably has been ever.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51It's not hard to train a dog when you know how to do it,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53but lots of people can't do it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55So from our point of view,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58dog auctions are becoming probably busier than they've ever been.
0:08:58 > 0:09:04And it's his daughters that benefit from the extra cash the sheepdogs bring in.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06The income from the dogs is quite important.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08We've only got a small farm here.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11The more we can make it home, the less we have to go away to make,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15and the money off the dogs at the moment will go into the girls'
0:09:15 > 0:09:16university pot.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21For the past few months, Doug has been training his two Collies,
0:09:21 > 0:09:2525-month-old, Cap, and his sister, Kate,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27getting them ready for the auction at Bala.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31He's been teaching them to respond to both whistle...
0:09:31 > 0:09:33HE WHISTLES
0:09:33 > 0:09:34..and voice commands.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35Stand. Walk.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40In the week leading up to the sale, Doug wants to make sure both his
0:09:40 > 0:09:44dogs perform to the very best of their ability,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47so he's going over all the basic commands.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Cap's doing well, I think he's ready for the sale.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53He can't understand why we're doing the same thing over and over,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55so he just wants to go to work.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57I'm quite pleased with him, actually, yeah.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Today with Cap, I haven't tried to do anything he hasn't done before.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03I've probably insisted once or twice that he's listened to me.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Away from home, they will always take advantage,
0:10:06 > 0:10:08just like taking the kids to see granny,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11they always push it as far as they can, so he'll do the same tomorrow.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Stand. Stand.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16I'm probably a bit different today than normally,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18so he'll have picked up on that,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21but it's not a bad thing for him to see me like this and he'll see it
0:10:21 > 0:10:25tomorrow, that's for sure, so he's better seeing it today, yeah.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Cap's a good dog, quite natural, you don't have to be hard on him.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30He knows exactly what he's doing.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33He would work for anyone without very many commands.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36He's got a brain of his own and he's quite good at using it.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41He's worth 3,000, maybe a little bit more than 3,000.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43So we'll see what happens on the day.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47But what about sister Kate?
0:10:47 > 0:10:52Kate's probably working just a fraction better.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53She's a bit more of a favourite.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56She's been in the house a little bit.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02My wife, Ann, thinks the world of her and she's just a very nice character.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05We've got quite high thoughts of Kate and hopefully
0:11:05 > 0:11:07the price will reflect that.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08Walk.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Today's training is just a reflection of how she's working.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14She's not perfect, she's two years old, she's still got lots to learn.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Just trying to keep it low key and just getting her to do what she does
0:11:17 > 0:11:19every other day.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Try not to put too much pressure on her,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23and obviously she knows there's a change in me,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26so she's acting a bit different, but she's only young,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28so we let her away with that, yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Doug's confident both dogs are ready,
0:11:30 > 0:11:34and despite being a trainer held in very high regard,
0:11:34 > 0:11:35he still gets anxious.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39The biggest worry I have on the day is being able to whistle.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41My nerves are probably concerning me
0:11:41 > 0:11:44more than what the dogs nerves will be.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Doug goes very nervous on the day of the auction.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50He just walks around, around in circles.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52When you step out into that field,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54there's a lot of people watching you,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56a lot of people that are very good with dogs,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00and you're just very conscious that you don't let your dog down,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and it's very easy for you to make a mistake, the same as the dog.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Come by. I've no idea what the sheep are going to do.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Live dog, I've no real idea how her mood's going to be.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12It's a completely staged environment,
0:12:12 > 0:12:16being at the dog auction with all these people, so it can affect them,
0:12:16 > 0:12:17some more than others.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Cap could be more of a handful.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Kate's quite level-headed,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22and I think she'll take it all in her stride,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24but I'm not sure how Cap can go.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- What do you think, is she listening? - Yeah, she will listen tomorrow.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- It'll have to do, yeah?- Yeah.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Look at what you're buying here.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40He's on the market, make no mistake!
0:12:40 > 0:12:43At auction, there's been heavy downpours all morning.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Unfortunately, a few people won't have come because the forecast was
0:12:49 > 0:12:51so bad. There's no reason why they won't sell,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53as long as the buyers are here, we're OK.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57The relentless rain is making it hard work for everyone,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59as Doug gets ready to show Cap.
0:12:59 > 0:13:0325-month-old from Doug Lambie, regular supporter of the sale.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Yeah, very nervous at the moment.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08We'll be very nervous going on there with Cap with me, but, yeah,
0:13:08 > 0:13:12he'll keep me right when I get out there. Nerves are there.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14If Doug can't control his nerves,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18then Cap will pick up on it and it could be a disaster.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21But if he can hold it together and Cap performs well,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23then his hard work will have paid off.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26What a good dog he is.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Everyone has high expectations.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Doug is a very, very good trainer of sheepdogs.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36He has been in the top prices in Bala for a number of years.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37He has got two good dogs,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41and there has been quite a bit of interest in his dogs.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43When Doug has something to sell, they will be ready for the sale,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45I can assure you of that.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47The bidding will be in guineas.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51A guinea is £1.05 in today's money.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53It's an old-fashioned way of selling dogs.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55The company gets the guinea.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58We get 5p in the pound for every dog we sell,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01which helps towards the financing of running the sale.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Who's got 2,000, 2,000 bid?
0:14:03 > 0:14:0422. 24.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09As Doug starts to show Cap, there's immediate interest,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13but will he reach the £3,000 he's hoping for?
0:14:13 > 0:14:152,600? 2,600, 2,800.
0:14:15 > 0:14:172,800. 3,000.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23With Cap performing well and responding quickly to Doug's instructions,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25the bids are coming in thick and fast.
0:14:25 > 0:14:2632 bid, 3,200.
0:14:26 > 0:14:293,000 has been reached and passed.
0:14:29 > 0:14:3232 bid. 3,200 - Ollie, three, sir?
0:14:32 > 0:14:383,200. 3,200. 33? 33, 33?
0:14:38 > 0:14:39Look at the dog here now.
0:14:40 > 0:14:4233. £33, out on the rail.
0:14:42 > 0:14:4533 bid, 33. Are you bidding, sir?
0:14:45 > 0:14:4933, 3,300 all over now? No mistake?
0:14:49 > 0:14:53All done. 3,300 guineas.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54- Done.- Slowly.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- Slowly.- Well, there we are...
0:14:57 > 0:15:01When a seller says, "Slowly," it means bidding is heading in the
0:15:01 > 0:15:04right direction, but the handler wants the auctioneer
0:15:04 > 0:15:07to push the price up if he can.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09I'm going to sell away, all finished.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Are you out on the gate? At 33, all finished?
0:15:12 > 0:15:16All done and I'm selling him, 3,300 guineas.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Thank you.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Cap exceeds Doug's expectations by nearly £500.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Cap worked well. He hit them hard at the top ones,
0:15:29 > 0:15:31but that's just nerves, that's no big deal. No, he worked well,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I was delighted with how he did work. He took every command.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36It's a big thing for a dog being away from home, so, no,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38he did everything that I wanted him to.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Very happy. Price is near enough, so yeah, it's been a good job.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44That just leaves Kate to sell a bit later on.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Bala has a unique place in the history of the sheepdog.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58The world's very first recorded sheepdog trial happened right here
0:15:58 > 0:16:00nearly 150 years ago.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Bala had the first world trials on the Rhiwlas Estate,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10just across the road to where we are selling the dogs.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14It was won by a Welshman, Aled Owen from Llangwm.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17That first Bala event started a bit of a craze.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Soon there were sheepdog sales and trials the length and breadth of the
0:16:21 > 0:16:24country, and abroad as well.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29Today, there are an amazing 400 sheepdog trials each year in the UK.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34And the Bala sheepdog auction is still a very highly-regarded event.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39We have seen up to 600-700 people there.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Not only that, these days technology has come forward and a lot of people
0:16:43 > 0:16:47can see the dogs working on YouTube and we have got a website,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49the Bala Sheepdogs website,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51and a lot of people from abroad look at that.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53In its early years, the auction
0:16:53 > 0:16:56wasn't quite so polished and professional.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Often owners would turn up with their dog and a bit of rope tied
0:17:00 > 0:17:02around its neck and hope for the best.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05But that's certainly not the case now.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09These dog handlers have been training these dogs over a number of months,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11really, and it's not only that, either,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15it's the breeding behind the dog that is important.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19The last week, obviously, is putting finishing touches to the job.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20Thank you, sir.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25A man in the market for a new dog is buyer Michael Hogan.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27He needs one urgently.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30It's going to be a great sale, even with this weather.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39His farm is 80 miles down the road from the auction,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42not far from the beautiful Malvern Hills.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51The farm here is a mixed farm.
0:17:51 > 0:17:58Our main enterprise is arable, and then we have sheep, beef, fruit,
0:17:58 > 0:18:03forestry, mistletoe, a small log business,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06a firewood business, and bees.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09And that's about it, but that's quite a lot.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Michael is retiring his sheepdog Craig, also a Collie,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17as it's now unfair to keep working him,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19but with a flock of over 350,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22he's on the lookout for a replacement.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Craig is 13 years old,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29which is over 90 in human terms,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31and he's unable to work now,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35so we definitely need to find a replacement.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39At the moment, Michael's friend and nearby farmer, Richard, comes once a
0:18:39 > 0:18:43week with his sheepdog, Sally, to do the work that Craig used to do.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46In this field, we've got a bunch of about 100 ewes.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50What he's doing is he's sending Sally out to gather them.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54She's got to go all the way round the field and gradually bring all
0:18:54 > 0:18:59the ewes back here so that we can pen them up and then move them to
0:18:59 > 0:19:01the orchard behind the farm buildings
0:19:01 > 0:19:03where they've got fresh grass.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Well done, Richard. That's good.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07And while this set-up is working
0:19:07 > 0:19:09for now, it's not a long-term solution.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Michael desperately needs a working dog of his own.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18And he's hoping he'll be able to find one at Bala.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25We're looking for a dog which is three quarters trained and which can
0:19:25 > 0:19:28then build a relationship with Jane and me,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32because Jane will be possibly working the dog more than me.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36This will be the first time Michael has been to an auction to buy a dog.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40He's keen to remain level-headed and stick to his plan.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41We've got a budget.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45We can't afford a lot more money and I won't get into a bidding war.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49I may go slightly above my budget if I think the dog is
0:19:49 > 0:19:50really what we want.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Some sellers produce videos of their dogs and post
0:19:54 > 0:19:57them on the Bala sheepdog website for buyers to look at.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01But Michael is old school and prefers to actually visit the animal
0:20:01 > 0:20:03he's interested in.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06It's quite easy to produce a video where the dog does
0:20:06 > 0:20:08everything perfectly.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13But they may have had 20 tries to try to get the dog to do it right.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16And there's one that's caught his attention.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20It belongs to seller Doug Lambie.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21So ahead of the auction,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Michael is going to Doug's farm to see his sheepdog, Kate, in action.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- How are you doing? - Hello, Doug, good to see you.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Pleasure to meet you, thanks for coming.- Good to see you.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34There's everything to be gained by having a good look.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Because it's a lot of money,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40I wouldn't dream of buying a dog in a sale without going to have a look.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42I love the countryside up here.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Yeah, yeah.- I mean, what I want to see is exactly what you do with her.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Yeah. Do you whistle, or are you on voice commands?
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Well, at the moment I'm on voice, but I want to do whistle.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56With our farm, the dog will need to go 400-500 yards,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59and if you're starting to shout at 400-500 yards, it's difficult for
0:20:59 > 0:21:01- the dog to hear.- Yeah, exactly.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04So what commands do you use with her?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06I've got her on, "come by" and "away".
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- "Stand".- Stand.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11"Lie down" is a definite stop.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Stand is more of a steady...
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Lie down and stay there.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17And do you have a "walk on"?
0:21:17 > 0:21:18- Just... - HE WHISTLES
0:21:18 > 0:21:22The same from stand. Yeah, or walk.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Walk is what I tell her from either side, yeah?
0:21:24 > 0:21:25She's not hard to learn anything.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28You're giving me a good sales pitch.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Well, yeah, but I believe what I'm saying,
0:21:31 > 0:21:33so I'm more than halfway there, yeah?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35HE WHISTLES
0:21:35 > 0:21:37That little hoo-hoo is just...
0:21:37 > 0:21:38- Just walk.- Walk on.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40- Yeah.- Walk.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Stand. Lie down.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Lie down. Lie down.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51I like the way she looks at you for commands.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54That's the nice thing about her, is she's waiting for you to help her.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56You tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it, yeah?
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Come on, Kate.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Kate's listened to everything Doug's asked her to do.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04But now Michael can test her out for himself.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05Walk on. Walk on.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Away. Away.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- A bit confused.- She's just going to bring them to you,
0:22:12 > 0:22:14I think that's it today, isn't it, yeah.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Yeah. It's very good, she's done what she's supposed to be doing if
0:22:17 > 0:22:18she ends up bringing them to me.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21It wasn't ideal, but she started to do something, didn't she?
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Yeah. Kate's a lovely dog.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25She's very steady.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27She gets round the sheep well.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31The question will be if I bid for her, whether I can afford what she's
0:22:31 > 0:22:35likely to go for. I think that's my initial reaction.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- Thanks very much.- Not at all, thank you.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- It's been a pleasure.- Thank you.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Kate worked well and he picked up on all the things that were important
0:22:42 > 0:22:46to him, so it was a pleasure to have him and the sort of home that you'd
0:22:46 > 0:22:47really hope the dog went to.
0:22:47 > 0:22:48Look at what you're buying here.
0:22:48 > 0:22:5032 bid. 32.
0:22:50 > 0:22:5132 bid.
0:22:51 > 0:22:5332. Have you all done, now?
0:22:53 > 0:22:543,200.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56The weather is against us, as well.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Back at the auction, the weather is worse
0:22:59 > 0:23:04and tensions are rising as reputations are at stake.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08If a good handler sells a dog at a premium,
0:23:08 > 0:23:13everybody the following sales will be looking for that breeding and for
0:23:13 > 0:23:15that shepherd or that handler.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18And they do follow, believe me.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Doug has a serious reputation to uphold.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24And it's time for him to sell his second dog, Kate.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Buyer Michael is ready.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29It will be an exciting sale, a lot of fun,
0:23:29 > 0:23:31and we're looking forward to it.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35And he doesn't have too long to wait before Kate takes the stage.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Here we are, lot number 40.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Doug Lambie with Kate.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45If Doug can keep his nerves in check, then Kate has the potential
0:23:45 > 0:23:49to fetch a good price. Wife Anne watches on anxiously.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Only 25 months old and speaks for herself, to be fair.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Have a look at that style.
0:23:55 > 0:23:573,000 away. Thank you, sir.
0:23:57 > 0:23:593,000 bid. 3,200 sir.
0:23:59 > 0:24:05Two. 32. 34. 34. 36. 38. 38.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Doug has complete control and the dog is moving very well,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11holding the sheep well.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Michael isn't the only one that Kate's impressed.
0:24:15 > 0:24:173,800. Out to my right, sir.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19Four. 4,000 bid.
0:24:19 > 0:24:234,000. 42. 42. 4,200.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Look this way, sir. She speaks for herself.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29At 4,200, 4,200, you've waited for it, 44.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33The momentum is building for Kate and bids are flocking in.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37The bids are fast approaching Michael's upper budget.
0:24:37 > 0:24:4244. 44. 46. 46. 4,600.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49- I'm out. Out.- Kate is now too expensive, so Michael's out.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50Doug, what do we do?
0:24:53 > 0:24:55"Try it slowly," he says at 4,600.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57But there's still interest from others.
0:24:59 > 0:25:0347. 47. 48. 48.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04Worth every penny and more.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08At 48. 49. 49.
0:25:08 > 0:25:09Back to you sir. At 49.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Five. Five. 5,000 bid.
0:25:12 > 0:25:135,000 only.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Put it on the market, Doug.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- Slowly.- "Slowly," he says. Fair play. She's on the market.
0:25:17 > 0:25:195,000 only.
0:25:19 > 0:25:205,000 bid.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21One again then, last shout.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25All done here and I'm selling at 5,000 guineas.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Lucky man there on the fence, thank you, sir.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Coming forward with his name.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Well over £5,000 is a terrific price
0:25:32 > 0:25:34and the second-best at Bala today.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37I'm so delighted she's gone to a good home,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39a friend of mine stepped up,
0:25:39 > 0:25:40paid more money than he wanted to,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42but he knows it's money well invested,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45so very happy about where she's gone.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- Well done, Doug.- Thank you very much for your effort.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Sorry to keep you out in the rain, albeit for nothing.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I'm so pleased that you got such a good price.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54You can go out and have a pint tonight.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56- And we will.- Congratulations.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Thank you very much. Nice to have met you both, yeah.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02We'll see you again. Bye-bye. It's a pity Michael didn't get her.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04You know, he would've been a fantastic home as well.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08It'll be quite sad to see her going, but we are delighted that she's
0:26:08 > 0:26:11going to a good home, and to work.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13So that's the most important thing.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17Sadly, she was just too much money for Michael.
0:26:17 > 0:26:214,200, 4,300 was near the top end of my range.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23I would like to have had Kate.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26That would have been great. But that's not to be today.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Despite not getting Kate, Michael's not giving up just yet and
0:26:31 > 0:26:34has his eye on more dogs in the sale.
0:26:34 > 0:26:362,000 bid. All your own bidding.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46There are an extraordinary 10 million or so sheep in Wales.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Here, they outnumber people by a factor of 3-1,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54so it's no surprise that this is the worldwide home of the sheepdog.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57For the last 150 years,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01the most common breed has been the Border collie.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03The collie has got a tremendous brain.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04They listen well.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06They react to commands
0:27:06 > 0:27:09better than a lot of other dogs.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12There are five basic commands.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15But an intelligent sheepdog can understand around 15.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19You can't put a price really, on a really good dog.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23It'll probably save the shepherd hours and hours of running around
0:27:23 > 0:27:25and driving the quad bike.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29It's just wonderful to work with a dog that is of that high standard,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31type of thing.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Farming is worth nearly £1.5 billion a year to Wales
0:27:35 > 0:27:37and sheep are by far the biggest part of that.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42So the sheepdog really is at the heart of the rural economy.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Especially in Snowdonia.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49The climate here is good for sheep.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51It's heavy ground.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52It's good ground.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56But the agricultural economy is tough.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00And it's no easy life for the region's farmers.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03800, start me quickly.
0:28:03 > 0:28:04800 away.
0:28:05 > 0:28:06800, sir.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Seller Norman Green knows just how
0:28:09 > 0:28:12tough the world of sheep farming can be.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13Come by.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27There was three things that I was
0:28:27 > 0:28:29always told you always took to the hill.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32That was a good dog, a good stick and a good coat.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35By the end of the day, you're going to need all three.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Norman's smallholding is just under 20 miles down the road from Bala.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44- Come on.- While our previous seller, Doug, is an old hand,
0:28:44 > 0:28:4757-year-old Norman is a relative beginner.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51The professional shepherd recently lost his job,
0:28:51 > 0:28:55so has moved into training and selling dogs to support his family.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01Being told that you're being made redundant was hard.
0:29:01 > 0:29:07Farm workers jobs come with a tied cottage and we were looking straight
0:29:07 > 0:29:11down the barrels of jobless and homeless.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14A very severe kick in the guts.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17He recently found a smallholding
0:29:17 > 0:29:20in Llangollen, North Wales, with eight acres
0:29:20 > 0:29:24and got himself 20 sheep so he could set up as a sheepdog trainer.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29There's not many people out there that want to employ a 60-year-old
0:29:29 > 0:29:33shepherd when they can pick up a 25-year-old shepherd.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37I thought it's about time I started to look at doing things for myself
0:29:37 > 0:29:40rather than answering to someone else.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Now you're the master of your own destiny.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47While he has 40 years' experience working with sheepdogs,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51he's at the other end of the spectrum when it comes to training.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55I've dabbled in sheepdogs all my life, selling the odd dog,
0:29:55 > 0:30:00but now circumstances have come to the point where the dogs have got to
0:30:00 > 0:30:03be a major part of my income.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05He has seven adults...
0:30:05 > 0:30:06Come on, in you come.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10..and six pups, all at different stages of training.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13So they're certainly keeping him busy.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Everything gets exercised twice a day before I go out to do a day's
0:30:16 > 0:30:18work in the morning. Come on, then.
0:30:20 > 0:30:25Back home at night, anything that's not in training goes out for exercise.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28If it's in training, then it goes straight to school.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31The Bala auction will be a big test for Norman.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34He's sold a small number of dogs there over the years.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37But this is the first time he's selling as a full-time trainer.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Wait. Wait.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41He has two dogs for sale.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43A male, Sam, who is two years old.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46And female Swift, who's just six months.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50At this age, they are very easily distracted.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53And he's got his work cut out with both.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Sam only arrived when he was 18 months old, so he's only had
0:30:57 > 0:30:58six months of training.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01This is where we come every day for the dog school.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07I like to try and spend half an hour each day with each dog.
0:31:07 > 0:31:08Doesn't always work like that.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Sometimes it's only ten minutes.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15If he's not very happy, we call the lesson over and we go back and say
0:31:15 > 0:31:18right, start again tomorrow.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Sam's still very young, still very inexperienced.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Still only what we would call 80% trained.
0:31:25 > 0:31:31I don't think he'll make the grade to be a top-class trial dog.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35But as a farm dog, got plenty of stamina, plenty of power.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37He needs experience now.
0:31:37 > 0:31:38Stand there. Stand there.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Stay there. Stand!
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Come here. That'll do.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46That's better. What was that all in aid of?
0:31:46 > 0:31:48No, he should come back straightaway,
0:31:48 > 0:31:49if, when I call him off.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51He started showing off a little bit then.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54He was starting to get a bit wound up. I think he thought he was going
0:31:54 > 0:31:56to do more than he did.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Sam can go one of two ways.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04If he performs how I know he can, he can be very good.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Stand. Good boy.
0:32:07 > 0:32:13But if he loses his head, it could be a different story with him.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Stand. What are you doing?
0:32:16 > 0:32:18He's started showing off.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22I'm valuing him between £600-£1,000.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24But as Norman knows only too well,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28there's lots at stake if he sells a dog too soon, that isn't ready.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30And he's certainly feeling the pressure.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Good girl, Swift.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Reputations can be made or broken in Bala.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39But if you've got a good one and you can bring it out,
0:32:39 > 0:32:42it can be a shop window for the future.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46The auction at Bala will be a real test for Norman,
0:32:46 > 0:32:49and will be an indication of how tough the competition is,
0:32:49 > 0:32:51how high the standards are,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54and if the time and effort is worth the financial reward.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58But it's not just about the money.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02It's not all profit and loss at the end of the day.
0:33:02 > 0:33:03There is that pride element.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Look at what you're buying, here.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14At the auction, not only does Norman have Sam's unpredictability to deal
0:33:14 > 0:33:18with, but he's also got to contend with the wet weather.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20What a day. What a day.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Whether the buyers are going to be affected by the weather,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26all being well they won't, they'll still be here,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28they'll still be looking for a dog.
0:33:28 > 0:33:29We'll see.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37Norman doesn't have to wait long until his first dog, Sam, is called.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41And although he's been here before, the stakes haven't been as high.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44So he's really feeling the nerves.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Well, we're getting nearer. Little bit nervous now.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Five minutes to go. We'll see.
0:33:49 > 0:33:55That feeling when you walk through the gate is pure dread.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57Because you're thinking to yourself, "Now, mate,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00"are you going to get this right or are you going to get this wrong?"
0:34:02 > 0:34:04And you've got that dread until the
0:34:04 > 0:34:07dog has gone out and gathered his sheep
0:34:07 > 0:34:10and started to bring them sheep nicely down the field.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12This is lot number seven.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Mr Norman Green.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17If it's going well, it's like as if the pressure just eases
0:34:17 > 0:34:20that little bit and you can relax.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24But if it's going wrong and you're battling with the dog,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27because the sheep are awkward or the dog is wound up or whatever,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30you've still got that feeling in your gut until it's all over.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34For Norman, it's make or break time.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38He's hoping for between £600-£1,000 for Sam.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Who's going with 2,000 away to start me?
0:34:40 > 0:34:431,500 away. 1,500 away, quickly.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Who's got 1,000 to start me quickly for a very useful dog?
0:34:46 > 0:34:49- Oh, you clown.- Who's got 800, start me quickly.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51With Sam not on his best behaviour,
0:34:51 > 0:34:54auctioneer Glyn is struggling for bids.
0:34:54 > 0:34:55Very useful dog there.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57It's not good news for Norman.
0:34:57 > 0:34:58Stand.
0:34:58 > 0:34:59Stand. Stand.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02500 to start me?
0:35:02 > 0:35:06500? 500, 600. You're out with a cap...
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Well, everyone's got a cap on.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13- 600 bid.- With Sam ignoring some of Norman's commands,
0:35:13 > 0:35:15it's tough for Glyn.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- Stand. Come by.- So far, only two people have bid
0:35:18 > 0:35:22and Sam has only just reached Norman's minimum of 600.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24600. Give me seven now.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Look at what you're buying here. Only a young dog.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28600. Give me seven now.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31600 going to be. You're missing a real young one now.
0:35:31 > 0:35:32Stand! Stand!
0:35:32 > 0:35:34WHISTLE BLOWS
0:35:34 > 0:35:36The whistle indicates that his three minutes are up,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39and the demonstration must finish.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41But yet again, Sam proves to be a handful.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45That'll do. That'll do. Hey! Hey!
0:35:45 > 0:35:47600. 600, bargain time.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49600, he's worth every penny.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51All finished. All done.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53At 600, it is.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55Thank you, sir. Thank you.
0:35:55 > 0:35:56That'll do, Sam.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Sam sells at just over £600.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04It was a battle with him because he got excited and got wound up.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06I was having to work a bit harder than I wanted.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09That's what you get for working with animals.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11But we got there in the end.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14- Oh, you've just bought him?- Yeah.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17He didn't show himself as good as he can.
0:36:17 > 0:36:23He's got a bit wound up, but if you keep strong on him, he's OK.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Come on, hup!
0:36:25 > 0:36:28There you go. I'll leave that lead on him and then you've got it for
0:36:28 > 0:36:31- when you get home. Whereabouts are you from?- Exmoor.- Oh, Exmoor!
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- He's got a long way to go, then. - Yeah!- He's got a long way to go, then.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39I valued him at home between 600-1,000 and he's come in
0:36:39 > 0:36:40at bottom buck.
0:36:40 > 0:36:41He's made what I wanted.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54But Norman still has one more dog to sell.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Six-month-old Swift.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01As she's so young, she has a different training regime.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Put youngsters on a long line.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06If I let her go now and then try to get her,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08to catch her to bring her off the sheep,
0:37:08 > 0:37:10because she's so young and full of it,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13I'd have a serious job catching her.
0:37:13 > 0:37:19So, hence, my long rope with a great big knot on the end.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22So when she's shooting off round the field, I can just go quietly,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24put my foot on the rope.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28The knot comes to my foot and she can't go any further.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Lie down, Roy. Lie down, stay there.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Yeah, we use an older dog and more experienced dog with a youngster.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38If the sheep start to be a bit stroppy and play up on them,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40the old dog is always there.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42He can sort out the problems.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44Just basically like a schoolteacher.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Swift has got more potential than Sam had.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51But Swift has got that little bit extra,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53there is that little bit of X factor with her.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57There is a possibility that if the right man sees her potential
0:37:57 > 0:38:00that Swift could end up on the trial field,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02she could end up as a trialling dog.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05I haven't put a value on Swift yet because, erm...
0:38:06 > 0:38:10There is quite a bit of interest, I think, in her.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14I'm going to see how that one runs and pans out on the day.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23AUCTIONEER SHOUTS OUT BIDS
0:38:24 > 0:38:28As the day progresses, the relentless rain continues.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30But Norman won't let it dampen his spirits.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35He's feeling more hopeful that Swift will put on a better show.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39A little bit more confident now, there's a bit of confidence buzzing.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Let's get her sold and I'll be quite happy.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44I think there is... I've got more faith in her
0:38:44 > 0:38:47than I had in Sam so, yeah, here we go.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52As Swift is so young, she won't be shown in the main field.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55We have 19 dogs which are under 12 months of age.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56They won't be working on the big field,
0:38:56 > 0:39:00they will be just running around five or six sheep in a pen.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Good dog handlers can see the potential
0:39:02 > 0:39:04of the way they look at the sheep,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06the way they react.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09And it's not long before Swift is called.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13Norman Green is next with Swift.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14- April born.- April born.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16- Fully vaccinated.- Fully vaccinated.
0:39:16 > 0:39:21And at home she's out the ring, she's out in the field.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24There we are, who's got seven for this one, surely?
0:39:24 > 0:39:26500 away. 500.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27She's showing nicely there.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28300 bid. Three.
0:39:31 > 0:39:3250, four.
0:39:32 > 0:39:3450, five.
0:39:34 > 0:39:3750, 55, six.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Six. Anybody bid on 600?
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Despite the filthy conditions, Swift is doing brilliantly.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46650. 700.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Seven
0:39:48 > 0:39:50750. 800.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52800. All done now?
0:39:52 > 0:39:54800 it is, Norman.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Very, very sure?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59A granddaughter to Hutchinson's Sweep.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01A granddaughter to Hutchinson's Sweep.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Swift's descended from English national champion, Sweep -
0:40:05 > 0:40:08a fact that should entice buyers a bit more.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Eight, 800.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Are you bidding? I'm going to sell away at eight.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14800. 800. 800.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15Selling. No mistake.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17At 800.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19800.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21That'll do. Come on, Swift.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25Over £800 is a good price for the young, untrained Swift.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28I'm feeling quite happy now.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30It's all over.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33She's made pretty well what I thought she was going to make.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36She's made 800. Job done. I'm going home happy.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37So not too bad.
0:40:37 > 0:40:392,000 bid. 2,000 only.
0:40:39 > 0:40:412,000 the bid. She's stylish.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Buyer Michael hasn't given up just yet,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47and is still keen to go home with a replacement sheepdog
0:40:47 > 0:40:50now that his current one is too old.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52And a younger one has caught his eye.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54HE CHUCKLES
0:40:54 > 0:40:57You need a dog which will go out in all weathers.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Caddie is a female just under 18 months old.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04But will she impress him enough to bid?
0:41:04 > 0:41:07500 and off. Yeah?
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Michael is quick to show his interest, offering 600 guineas.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13600 bid. Seven?
0:41:13 > 0:41:14Look this way sir. 700.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18800, 800.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20900 bid. 900.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21She's obeying that command,
0:41:21 > 0:41:24she's stopping and standing when she's supposed to.
0:41:24 > 0:41:261,000. Plenty of room to go here, sir.
0:41:26 > 0:41:271,000 only.
0:41:27 > 0:41:2911. 1,100 bid.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Back to you sir. At 11, 12.
0:41:31 > 0:41:331,200 bid. At 1,200
0:41:33 > 0:41:3613. 1,300 bid. On the fence at 1,300.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39WHISTLE BLOWS
0:41:39 > 0:41:4114, sir?
0:41:41 > 0:41:431,400. 1,400.
0:41:43 > 0:41:4415. 1,500 bid.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46He knows what he's got, sir.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49At 1,500 bid. 1,500 once again.
0:41:49 > 0:41:501,500 bid.
0:41:50 > 0:41:5215, 16. 1,600 bid.
0:41:52 > 0:41:5517. 1,700. 1,700 bid.
0:41:55 > 0:41:5718 I'll take now.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59At 1,700 bid, 1,700.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01I'm out.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Is that your best?
0:42:03 > 0:42:04I'm off, I'm stopping.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07But at 1,600, Michael is out.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11I'm selling her then at 1,700 guineas.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Despite hours of standing around in the rain,
0:42:15 > 0:42:19Michael's attempts to find a replacement dog at Bala have failed.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23I've been, you know, very, very pleased to come here.
0:42:23 > 0:42:24It's been a great sale.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26A very, very damp one.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30I'm very sorry to be going home without a dog.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34But I've bid what I felt was right for each dog,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37and there will be another occasion when hopefully I'll be successful.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39So I'll keep trying.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Can I thank you all very much, indeed, for attending the sale.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45We will be back again in May.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Hopefully the weather will be better, as well.
0:42:49 > 0:42:54Five wet hours and 55 dogs later and the auction is over...
0:42:54 > 0:42:56for another six months, at least.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00It's been a day of mixed emotions for everyone.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Michael is still using his friend Richard and his sheepdog Sally.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06But his search continues.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Doug is now focusing on training up Kate's pup, Pip,
0:43:10 > 0:43:13who he hopes to sell at Bala auction next year.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18And Norman's first time exhibiting as a full-time trainer
0:43:18 > 0:43:20hasn't put him off.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22He's busy training up Swift's half-sister Fern
0:43:22 > 0:43:25and is hoping to start training Sally,
0:43:25 > 0:43:28who's been recovering from an injury, in the coming weeks.