A SHEEPDOG puppy is spending its first Christmas at the Blenheim estate.

Seven-month-old border collie Nell was chosen from a litter of 10 by Blenheim’s farm manager, Charles Gerring.

Both Nell’s parents, mum Jazz and dad Ben, are working sheepdogs on the estate and Mr Gerring is training Nell to join her parents in looking after the 1,000-strong flock.

Mr Gerring said: “Nell’s dad Ben has proved to be an excellent sheepdog and I have got high hopes she’s going to follow his lead, she’s definitely got the right genes for it.

“We have already been doing some training with the older ewes in a training pen and she is learning basic commands like go left and right, and lie down – although trying to get a seven-month-old puppy to stop can be quite a challenge.”

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