SC News

Border Collies Exhibit Herding Prowess on the Farm and at the Fair

South Carolina Public Radio | By Laura Hunsberger

Published October 12, 2017 at 4:57 PM EDT

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Farmer Bill Coburn directs his border collie Lucy to herd sheep using vocal and whistle commands.

Laura Hunsberger

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Close up of a border collie with Coburn.

Laura Hunsberger

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Coburn raises hair sheep on Windy Knolls Farm.

Laura Hunsberger

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A skillful border collie herds a small flock of ducks.

Laura Hunsberger

Bill Coburn and one of his border collies, Lucy.

At Windy Knolls Farm in Laurens County, Bill Coburn raises ducks and sheep. He’s retired from farming, but he still spends time on one of his favorite occupations: training border collies. The shaggy mid-sized dogs have a natural instinct to herd animals, and Coburn says he’s been working with them for nearly 30 years. He still shows his border collies regularly at demonstrations throughout the southeast, and at the State Fair, he will show the dogs in action for a few select afternoons. South Carolina Public Radio's Laura Hunsberger has the story for this South Carolina Focus.

Bill Coburn and his border collies will be at the state fair on October 18 and 19.

Bill Coburn presenting his Border Collie Demonstration at the South Carolina State Fair in 2016.