Much of his fur, in particular his tail, was so matted and tangled it had to be cut off. A yard dog, his neck was raw with jumping against a chain. We have little doubt that he'd had things thrown at him to shut him up. His adverse reactions indicate that his previous owner was probably left handed, wore a hat and hit him with a stick.

Walked submissively on a lead but apparently never socialised with either people or dogs. When the other dogs play-fought he would run into the house in fright.  He'd been warned off sheep. Became distressed when taken close to them.

Then one day his herding instinct switched on and he turned out to be the perfect soft-eyed, gentle sheepdog. Could walk a flock down a field as slow as can be and with total control as he didn't pressure them. The perfect lambing dog. That farmer never knew what he'd lost.