Over the Hills & Far Away

Best Features:
As I began to read this book I wondered what I would discover about sheepdogs and sheepdog trials. I was quickly engaged in a book that provided a rich and entertaining reflection on Harford Logan's many experiences as he began the journey of becoming a sheep dog handler and all that followed.

This book introduces you to a young lad developing his passion for sheepdogs, sheepdog trials and eventually judging and travelling to many countries. The author's reflections are entertaining, amusing and very revealing, as he invites the reader into his lifelong journey as a man who loved the things he did.

It is clear from the book that the partnership he managed to establish with his many dogs over the years was central to the many successes he had throughout his career. My experience from his written word is he is respectful, clear and patient as he trains his dogs the art of working sheep.

Throughout the book the author places a great deal of importance on understanding each dog's personality, and pace in relation to how fast it learns the skills required to do the job.

I think Harford Logan has succeeded in writing with his co-author an entertaining, lively book that clearly shows why people respect him as the person he is.

Could be better:
Personally I would have liked a little more insight and detail into what specifically the author looked for in terms of potential as he chose his puppies.

Print & production:
I really enjoyed the pictures, particularly the black and white line drawings. They really added life to the situations. Paperback. 177 page.

Value for Money: Yes. The book provides some moving moments and some very funny situations that the author found himself in as he travelled to various parts of the world.

About the Author...
Logan Harford from Co. Down in Northern Ireland has been winning and judging sheepdog trials for over 50 years. He has won seven National Championships. six for Ireland and one for Scotland, represented Ireland at international level at least 22 times and been in the Supreme Championship, the top 15 handlers in the country on seven occasions over the years. He has also competed on the BBC programme One Man and His Dog.

About The Reviewer...
Dagmar Edwards, MSc, Dip. Couns. Dip. GPTI, UKCP is a registered psychotherapist. Since 1990 she has been self-employed. She works as a lecturer, facilitator and supervisor for several psychotherapy training institutes and counselling service providers in the UK. Dagmar has combined her private practice in counselling, psychotherapy, supervision and mediation with work in voluntary sector mental health services in London, both as a team consultant and supervisor.

Dagmar has been competing in dog agility for approximately ten years. She currently owns three dogs, her first agility dog Trix, a tri-colour Border Collie now retired, Babs a WSD, competing at Senior level in agility and her latest addition is Kaeleon Beau Belle, a tri-colour Border Collie who is nine months old.

She is a qualified dog agility instructor (First Class), and has been Judging at Agility shows for the last eight years. Her interest when working with dogs either in basic behavioural training or training a dog in agility is the importance of the dog/handler relationship. Many of the skills she draws on come from her therapeutic work where the relationship with an individual is central.

If you like Border Collies or sheepdogs, you may want to invest in one of these original bronze sculptures inspired by this book. They're not cheap but they beautiful and something of value.

The McHardy Originals Sculpture Series
Perfect Style & Perfect Pace

Artist: Holly Bennett
Adviser: Harford Logan
Material: Cold cast bronze
Height: 17.5cm

These sculptures have been specially commissioned by McHardyArt and created through the collaboration of aHarford Logan, recognised as an expert in his field, working with a carefully chosen and highly skilled artist, Holly Bennett. Over a series of months the artist works in partnership with their mentor to understand the science behind the work or sport in question. A series of preliminary models or maquettes are made and over time perfected through an ongoing programme of dialogue between the two professionals. Only the very best of these maquettes are then cast and a strictly limited number made available to a discerning audience.

The name 'Border Collie' was first used in the early 1900s in the border area of England and Scotland to define a type of working dog being bred for its intelligence and instinct in managing stock. Today it is relied upon by shepherds the world over to help farm terrain which would otherwise be unproductive. The working skills of the Border Collie are tested in sheepdog trials, whilst its speed and enthusiasm to please its handler have rewarded many in other sports such as Agility, Obedience and Flyball championships.

Every handler wants a stylish Border Collie, one with the temperament and ‘power’ of a champion. The low head and tail carriage of Perfect Style and Perfect Pace are a mark of the dog’s confidence and strength of character. This is a dog that will be gently persuasive with weak or ‘light’ sheep but which will, without undue fuss, stand steady and command the respect of those that initially challenge its authority. Fitness, speed and agility create a streamlined profile. A close handler and dog relationship is evident in the dog’s rapt expression – listening and responding to its handler, as only this most exceptional and intelligent of breeds can continue to do, at great distances.

Price: £295 from Agility Warehouse

Over the Hills & Far Away

The Escapades and Winning Ways of Harford Logan & His Border Collies

The Escapades and Winning Ways
of Harford Logan & His Border Collies