Welsh father and son both crowned Sheep Dog World Trials champions

The first father and son to both be crowned champions at the Sheep Dog World Trial said they “never in million years” thought they would win the double.

Farmer David Howells and his son, Jack, 19, from Cymmer, Neath Port Talbot, travelled to the trials in Scotland last weekend.

David took the world title with his Border Collie dog, Wyverne Pip, in a field of about 300 competitors from 34 different countries.

Meanwhile his son, Jack, won the Young Handler world title with his dog, Cydros Boss.

“I feel upside down. I didn’t expect to win. I can’t quite believe it, to be honest,” said David.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday, he added it was a “crazy” experience to win alongside his son and pick up the trophies.

It marks the first time that a parent and child have won both titles at the same world trial.

“We both live on a farm, and it’s a hill farm with lots of sheep, so we need the sheep dogs as every day work,” he said.

“Then we’ve got into trials as well. To do a job that you enjoy, and then get to do a hobby alongside it, is extra special.”

David said he was “proud” that his son had followed in his footsteps.

“He’s grown up on the farm, and he started with the sheep dogs when he was about 10.

“During the Covid years, when he wasn’t in school, he got more involved because he was home. He caught the bug, and he was mad on the sheep dogs.”