This article was originally written by Charlie Fenton for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.
Meet Daphne: She’s 7 years old, under a foot tall, and killing it on the career front. The Welsh corgi has been helping move the 1,200 sheep at her farm in northwestern England’s Cumbria county for the past five years. And while she likely isn’t what you picture when you hear the word “sheepdog,” she’s actually a shining example of her herding breed.
The canine, who stands just 9 inches from paw to shoulder, keeps her woolly charges in check, barking on command to ensure they continue in the right direction.
Her owner, 33-year-old Heather Hodgson, told SWNS the pup’s little legs don’t stop her from lending a useful helping paw ( er, hand) during the lambing season, which reaches its peak in the spring. Now that it’s summer, Daphne is aiding with moving flocks between grazing pastures and assisting during the shearing process.
“Nowadays people don’t think of corgis working on farms because of the Royals — and they spend the day lounging on cushions,” Heather said, referencing the many corgis Queen Elizabeth II and her parents owned over the years. “But they are high-energy, very intelligent, and full of character. So when people find out about her driving sheep, they love it.”
Corgis were originally bred to herd cattle and serve as companions to children on farms, according to the Welsh Corgi League. Heather got Daphne in 2018 as a Christmas present from her husband, Bertie Hodgson, after she’d become enchanted by the breed. Soon enough, the tiny pup was an essential member of the team, helping Bertie herd sheep along with his border collies: Silver, Roxy, Molly, and Panda.
Her role is to stay behind the herd, helping direct the sheep by making as much noise as possible. “Daphne is incredibly confident and loves getting involved; she is super keen. She is such a natural with it, with her useful ability of being able to bark on command,” said Heather. “Daphne I would say about 90% of the time is really calm, but the other 10% when she is driving the sheep, it is the most excited you will ever see her — it is a novelty, really.”
One potential difference between Daphne and a larger dog? She has to be showered frequently in the muddy season due to her being so close to the ground.
Heather — who works in environmental consultancy in addition to helping out on the farm — set up an Instagram page for her corgi companion, and said the pooch has developed a loyal fanbase, with thousands tuning in to her exploits.
“She has some really big fans in America, Norway, and China of all places, who regularly comment and send me messages saying how wonderful she is,” said Heather. “I guess it is because it is just so uncommon nowadays for a corgi to be on a farm due to stereotypes, people have just gone crazy over her.”
Other than herding sheep, Daphne enjoys eating cheddar cheese and steak fat, riding on the farm’s quadbike, racing the other dogs, and, as Heather shared, having a “good sleep or cuddle.”
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