Keeping A Close Eye On The Herd

Tess, a four-and-a-half-year-old border collie, demonstrated her natural talent and dedication to herding while she gathered and directed three sheep around a small pasture at the Bauer Park Harvest Festival.

Border collies are often credited as being the the most intelligent and hard-working breed and Tess was no exception. Owner Sylvia Murray of Alder Brook Farm in Norwich said that Tess was a rescue dog and when she brought her to the farm, the dog learned her new job in short order. 

"They don't need a lot of training," Murray said of her two border collies. "because a lot of the skills are natural instinct."

Tess and co-worker Fern, who is a two-year-old border collie, normally herd 18 sheep around a two-acre pasture on Murray's farm.