Life with Two Large Furry Tornadoes - Our working sheepdogs.

What our Working Sheepdogs are like

If you've ever wondered what it’s like to live with two balls of energy wrapped in fur, welcome to our world. Living with dogs is always an adventure but living with Bailey and Dylan, my Border Collie and Welsh Sheepdog duo, is something else entirely. They don’t just bring joy to our lives. They bring full-throttle chaos, boundless love, and a daily dose of comedy that we wouldn’t trade for the world.

Our Tornadoes!

Twice the Herding, Twice the Heart

These two are not just dogs—they are a massive part of our family. Whether it’s helping my wife and I cooking or gardening, or taking up the whole sofa, we always feel like they are one step ahead of us.

Bailey is the mastermind, he is clever and calculated. Meanwhile, Dylan brings a different flavour, he is equally smart, but with a wild, free-spirited energy that keeps things interesting. Together, they're a perfect balance of mischief and sweetness.

Meet the Dream Team

Bailey is our beautiful Border Collie: sharp, speedy, and absolutely fearless. He joined our family at 6 months old as a rescue, severely overweight and low muscle in his hind as he was crated for 20 hours a day in a crate that was too small. We have worked really hard with him, to build up strength and overcome his hip dysplasia, with countless hours of hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture and sports massage. One well-loved doggo. 

Bailey wading on a winters day.

Dylan, our stunning Welsh Sheepdog, is pure of heart with a dash of stubborn, he’s a little less polished than Bailey, but every bit as smart and loving. We welcomed him into our family at 10 weeks old, a sassy, noisy and playful puppy. Ever since joining our household, cooking has not been the same with our little sous chef assisting and quality controlling everything that is prepared. A second well-loved doggo.

Together? They’re a perfect storm of fur, fun, and full-body tail wags.

Dylan launching in our local woodland.

Bouncy, Loving, Unstoppable and Never Boring

The energy? Oh, it is endless. Morning zoomies, afternoon tug sessions, evening cuddles that quickly turn into play-wrestling. Every moment is a chance for movement, joy, and the occasional flying couch cushion. But underneath all that energy is a deep, undeniable love. They don’t just greet us, they launch themselves into our arms, tails wagging like they’re trying to generate wind power.

And when things finally settle, and they curl up next to us with those big, soulful eyes, we’re reminded why every muddy paw print and chewed-up, soggy sock is 100% worth it.

Everyday they surprise us, like the time Bailey broke through ice to go for a swim in a river on New Year’s Day. Most of us were bundled up and sipping hot drinks but Bailey was out there living his best Arctic explorer life, tail high and eyes sparkling like it was the middle of July.

Then there’s Dylan, sweet, loyal Dylan, whose idea of a good morning is headbutting us awake. No snooze buttons here, just one determined sheepdog booping us into consciousness with all the urgency of someone late for their breakfast.

Living the Agility Life

Owning these two isn’t just about exercise (though yes, we walk more now than we ever have in our lives). It is about connection and learning a new kind of communication that goes beyond words. It is a lifestyle choice, one filled with laughter, loyalty, and the kind of companionship you only find with dogs who love fiercely. 

They thrive on the challenge, the tunnels, the A-frames, the weave poles. Every obstacle is a puzzle, and these two never met a puzzle they didn’t want to solve at full speed. Training days are a blur of paws, praise, and the occasional outtake. Competition days are electric. Bailey becomes all business, locking onto the course like it’s his personal mission. Dylan brings the flair, the attitude, and, yes, the occasional bark to remind us who’s really in charge.

More Than Just Trophies

Sure, we love the rosettes and the proud feeling after a successful run but agility with Bailey and Dylan is about so much more. It’s about connection. It’s about trust. It’s about the unspoken language we’ve built together through every jump and every missed cue, every win and every “oops.”

At the end of the day, we don’t just run courses, we run a life together and every moment we are grateful for.

Every Day is a Dog Day

Bailey and Dylan don’t just make our lives better, they make them fuller. They remind us to move, to laugh, to be present. To appreciate the simple joy of a muddy paw print or a wagging tail at the end of a long day.

And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.