The Dogs of Windcutter Down: One Shepherd's Struggle for Survival

by David Kennard

"There is no good flock without a good shepherd, and no good shepherd without good dogs."

These age-old words of wisdom have always guided Devon sheep farmer David Kennard. But as he battles to save his farm from extinction, they take on a greater weight than ever.
The storm clouds are already gathering when Borough Farm suffers a series of disastrous setbacks that threaten the Kennard family's traditional way of life. Though the farm has survived foot and mouth disease, an invasion of stray sheep, and the threat of disease, a malfunctioning tractor and a sickly sheepdog all add to the farm's daily pressures. How much longer can they stay afloat financially? And will David be the last shepherd to tend his flock in this rugged corner of England? Is there a way to achieve the seemingly impossible---making a living through farming sheep in the twenty-first century?
A shepherd since the age of seventeen, David offers an honest and affectionate, often comic picture of life on his sheep farm. But throughout this gentle meditation on his family's rural way of life, David is in a fight for that life, and for the survival of his family and farm. He must rely---as always---on his faithful sheepdogs Greg, Swift, Gail, Fern, and Ernie. But even he is surprised when the dogs---and the new dog on the farm---exceed his expectations and prove to be Borough Farm's secret weapon.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Autobiography, British Literature

276 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2005

About the author

David Kennard and his family farm at Borough Farm on the beautiful, rugged North Devon coast. The farm is home to a flock of 700 breeding ewes, plus their lambs which graze across over 400 acres. Working with David is his team of 9 sheepdogs, ranging from retiree Fern, now 11 years old, down Zola and Colin who were born in February 2011.

Reviews

[David Rudin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another installment from Borough Farm. As someone getting into raising sheep and already training a young Border Collie, I found this book as fascinating as the first. I don’t know as if it would count as great literature, but Kennard tells a good story, often James Herriot-esque. Tales of eccentric neighbors and other rural characters populate his books.

However, it is really the day to day struggles to keep going as a shepherd, including coming up with a second income, in his case putting on sheep dog herding displays, that is the heart of the story. Very sad that agriculture has become so devalued that farmers must double as showman to pay the bills. As if they didn’t work hard enough already.

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but going to give it 4 stars because it wasn't quite as exciting as the summary for the book makes it out to be. The summary says ' as he battles to save his farm' and 'storm clouds are already gathering when Borough Farm suffers a series of disastrous setbacks.' It is true that he does have to suffer a lot of setbacks, which made the book interesting but doing what he has to moving through the setbacks is not up to some of the battles like an adventure book.

I agree with the summary's description:
David offers an honest and affectionate, often comic picture of life on his sheep farm. But throughout this gentle meditation on his family's rural way of life, David is in a fight for that life, and for the survival of his family and farm. He must rely---as always---on his faithful sheepdogs Greg, Swift, Gail, Fern, and Ernie.

I am all about the dogs as I currently try to read all the 'dog' books I can and herding dogs are one of my favorite dog topics. From that I have an interest in the sheep they have to herd. In this book you learn a lot about keeping sheep and the challenges those that keep them have to deal with. That is the main focus of the book. But along the way you learn about the work they do and stories on situations they run into as they manage the sheep. And for those who like to hear of sheep trials, there is some of that too.

Love the descriptions of the countryside. Love the interaction with the children. Love hearing of the dogs. Here is a line I thought was cute:
- Trying to sell the idea of a new pup to the children, on the other hand, was about as difficult as trying to convince them to eat chocolate."

If you like descriptions of the challenges of farm life and raising sheep, you will like the book.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There is no good flock without a good shepherd, and no good shepherd without good dogs."

"These age-old words of wisdom have always guided Devon sheep farmer David Kennard. But as her battles to save his farm from extinction, they resonate more loudly -- and unexpectedly -- than ever. David knows he will be able to rely, as always, on his faithful sheepdogs Greg,Swift, Gail, Fern and Ernie. But even he is surprised when the dogs -- aided and abetted by eccentric newcomer Jake -- prove to be Borough Farm's secret weapon."
~~back cover

Lovely book about the perils and the joys of sheep farming, training border collies, and the seasonal round of sheep. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but then I adore border collies, and only wish I could have one. They're not happy unless they're herding sheep, and how many sheep can I get in my suburban back yard?

[Smokinjbc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a light read but sheds light on the human side of the Foot & Mouth Disease outbreak in the UK. The shepherd (also the author)is struggling to hold onto his family's sheep holding by warding off sheep disease, government bureacrats, the occasional stray tourist's dog and stray sheep that make a good deed turn into a nightmare. Respect for the land, the dogs and the sheep is reflected in each chapter as well as respect for the old timers who have weathered the worst of it and still cling to the shepherd's life.

[Diana Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much about personal relationships in this book as I would have preferred. I am glad I pushed myself through it because I learned a lot about raising sheep and working outdoors in England 365 days per year. I also learned how central sheepdogs are to shepherding and the close connection between the shepherd and the dogs.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the price of sheep & wool dropping drastically, and the aftermath of foot & mouth Dave is struggling to make ends meet as a Shepherd.

So, as many farmers are doing, he needs to diversify. He does this by a mix of breeding sheep dogs, training them and putting on sheep dog displays for summer visitors. How he gets on in these ventures makes for a fascinating read.

[Pankaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and a different kind of read altogether. It was the uniqueness of this book which I really liked. Just a day to day affairs of a shepherd, how he lives and struggles in this changing world which is moving away from farming.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked both of the books by this author. A real life look at farming from one who does it for a living. Makes me grateful for my life and for this author's sharing.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second of Kennard's books I've read. The first one I devoured in an Airbnb in Iceland (the logical place to find and speed read a book, because you can't seem to put it down), and ever since I've wanted to return to Kennard's world, his dogs, and his sheep.

I do not at all want to be a professional sheep farmer, but his books have made me dream a bit of having 5 sheep and a border collie.

[Erin Eckert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone who enjoys farming, herding, or working dogs. A lot of nuance would probably be lost on someone not familiar, but the author does a good job making the topics easily digested. I loved it.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved its readability.

[M Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One man and his dogs. Brilliant if you love Border Collies and farm tales.

[Denise McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant like his other books and the DVD - also incredible I loved it .