51AVÊÓÆµ

Young Dog Handler Focus – Izzy Davies: "We hope to encourage more young people to get involved in trials"

In this series, we shine a spotlight on emerging sheepdog handlers heading up the industry, exploring their successes, trials and tribulations on their journey to becoming the next generation of skilled sheepdog handlers

Ellie Layton
Livestock Specialist
clock • 2 min read
Young Dog Handler Focus – Izzy Davies: "We hope to encourage more young people to get involved in trials"

Background

Growing up on my family's beef and sheep farm in South Shropshire, I wanted to further my studies and so I completed a Level 3 diploma in agriculture at Reaseheath College. Following this I have returned home to work on the farm full time and milk on a local dairy farm down the road.Ìý

I have always had an interest in animals and I especially enjoy showing sheep and working dogs.Ìý

READ NOW: Young Dog Handler Focus - Tim Thewissen: "There is a special bond with dogs"

InfluenceÌýÌý

With sheep dogs on the farm, I was soon keen to have my own and was lucky to have the help from a good friend, Pauline Thomas, who gave me the chance to have one of her bitches.Ìý

Pauline has been my biggest influence in getting into trialling dogs, and following her gift of my first bitch, Peg, this really kickstarted my passion for working dogs and trialling.Ìý

My experience has grown through competing with Shropshire and Herefordshire nursery trials.

READ NOW: Young Dog Handler Focus - Iwan Rees: "I am a member of trial associations and have found its a great community to be part of"

FutureÌý

I currently have a 5-month-old bitch, Tess. She is the first dog I have trained myself from a puppy, so I am very excited to see us both develop together.Ìý

Away from the farm, I am a keen Young Farmer and have been a member of Dorrington YFC since I was 13. It is a truly valuable community to be a part of.Ìý

We have lots of upcoming events, one of them being the Shropshire Young Farmers' Dog Trials on June 7, 2025. We hope events like these will encourage more young people to get involved in dog trialling, and all the information about the event can be found on the Shropshire YFC Facebook page.

WATCH NOW:

More on Livestock

Who pays when livestock end up on the railway?

Who pays when livestock end up on the railway?

A herd of cows on the West Coast Main Line recently captured national attention

Alex Black
clock 14 July 2026 • 3 min read
Future proofing is key to success of Gold Cup winning dairy business

Future proofing is key to success of Gold Cup winning dairy business

Almost 1,000 producers and industry professionals attended the Gold Cup open day hosted by the 2026 winners, T.N. Morrow and Partners

Athwenna Irons
clock 13 July 2026 • 6 min read
Beef and Lamb Roadmap sets out practical route for sectors environmental progress

Beef and Lamb Roadmap sets out practical route for sectors environmental progress

The roadmap aims to capture the ambition, goals and commitments made towards improving the environmental sustainability the sector

Mia Willemsen
clock 13 July 2026 • 4 min read