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Article: With a whistle and a word, ranchers turn to collies to herd sheep.(Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- April 20, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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BURNS, Kansas _ Kevin Taylor blows a high-pitched ``twee-oo-ee'' on his shepherd's whistle and 3-year-old Scott cleaves a clump of sheep in two, driving half the flock away down the field.
The white, black and tan border collie works soundlessly, easily turning the sheep without a bark or a bite, though some of the ewes weigh more than three times his sleek 50 pounds.
At the direction of other whistle or voice commands, Scott will flank the sheep clockwise (``come by''), or counterclockwise, herding them back to Taylor (``away to me'').
He'll ``walk up'' on the sheep in a low, careful stalk, hold ``steady,'' move ``away,'' or stop dead in his tracks ...