Of Dogs and Men

Our Ebooks are powered by Glassboxx
Click here to learn about our Ebooks.

About the Book: 

Early man would have been alert to wild, camp-following dogs warning of approaching danger. Present day people can be thankful for a much wider range of canine services.

Part autobiography and part history, Of Dogs and Men is a celebration of our passion for the trusty sheepdog. Filled with lively anecdotes, poems and mythological stories, Barrington sets out to map the evolution and bond between man and dog; how dogs developed from the wild into the beloved companions as we know them today.

Barrington includes heart warming stories of collies used in life saving operations as search and rescue dogs, in epilepsy and cancer alert situations and as guide dogs.

Reviews:

I read John Barrington’s book with growing delight. This working shepherd writes beautifully about his animals, about the wildlife, trees and flowers which surround him at all times, and he paints an unforgettable picture of his glorious corner of Western Scotland. It is a lovely story of a rather wonderful life. JAMES HERRIOT on Red Sky at Night

About the Author:

JOHN BARRINGTON is an established storyteller and author, who herded 780 Scottish Blackface sheep on the 2000ft Perthshire mountains above Loch Katrine. Successful at sheepdog trials, shepherd and dogs have given demonstration of their ancient craft at two Garden Festivals and many shows, galas and Highland Games.

In 1998, the Scottish Qualification Authority asked John Barrington to design a course in sheepdog handling and management, which took two years to complete. The first classes were run at Oatridge Agricultural College, new Edinburgh, in 2000, the author at the helm. Students were enrolled from Ireland, England and all parts of Scotland.

With a good eye for sheep, John Barrington judged the classes of Shetland sheep at the Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh in 1994. This was followed by several judging trips to Europe. Shepherding is acknowledged to be the second oldest profession in the world, so there are many, many stories to be told.

Red Sky at Night, his first book and a UK bestseller, won him a Scottish Arts Council book award.