Little introduction is needed for this week's Breeder of our Time, Dean Aitken, who has certainly made a name for himself within the world of Blackface sheep breeding and his renowned Tweeddale collies.

He spoke to Kathryn Dick about his career to date and what he looks for in the perfect collie:

What’s your background?

My father owned a licensed grocers in Peebles. As a schoolboy, I spent my spare time helping the late Davie Jackson at Peebles Auction Mart, which is where I became hooked on dogs and sheep.

When I left school I worked with Lawrie and Symington at Peebles Auction Mart and when I turned 21, I sat my HGV test and drove for Jim Brown at Dolphinton Hauling Livestock. After three and a half years, I returned to Lawrie and Symington at Peebles Mart as a yardsman until it was closed in 1997.

During this time, I established my own flock of Blackface sheep, purchasing mainly Connachan draft ewes. I also started breeding sheepdogs, starting with a bitch pup in 1989 named Jill, which I bought from the late Johnny Bathgate by his ‘Vic’ dog.

In May, 1997, I took over the tenancy of Woodend Farm, in Lamington, from Doug Telfer, which we had for nine years. This was a chance to fill a lifelong ambition to farm in my own right.

Then, in 2007, we took over the tenancy of Uppercleugh which gave us more opportunities to expand. We ran 1000 breeding ewes, mainly Texel crosses with 50 pure Beltex and 200 Blackfaces – this gave us a fair bit of success at local shows and Christmas fatstock shows too.

The Blacktie tups also brought us success. In 2004, we sold 'The Ranger', for £22,000 at the first Blackie tup sale to be held at the new Lanark market, before then going on to sell ‘Red Bull’ for £42,000.

It was at Uppercleugh that we started the ‘Tweeddale’ prefix for our collies. Our present day breeding bitches have up to eight generations of our own breeding, which goes back to my first pup, Jill.

What got you into breeding working dogs?

The late Davy McTier. He was a great influence to me and the sheepdogs and our lines still go back to his famous ‘Ben’ and Davy Murray of Glenbield’s ‘Vic’.

What qualities do you like about your dogs and stock?

With the collies, I really look to breed pushy dogs that show a bit of class.

Amongst the Blackies, I want to breed correct sheep with good skins and a big muzzle.

What dog put you on the map or improved the genetics of the dogs you were breeding?

Ricky Hitchinson’s Sweep.

Which was the best dog that you’ve ever bred?

Tweeddale Buzz – he’s had over three million hits on youtube off the videos I used to put up of him working. People brought bitches from Holland to be mated with Buzz, which opened various doors for me. He is a strong dog that has the ability to move things with the power of his eyes, and he always remains cool under pressure. There is just something about him that a lot of dogs don’t have and the sheep seem to crumble under his control.

But what was the best dog that you’ve ever seen?

It would have to be Bobby Dalziel’s Wisp. I really liked the way he worked and moved. He drew my attention constantly as he moved in a flowing manner – Wisp just had the style I liked.

If you could change one thing about your breeds what would it be and why?

There is nothing that I would change. People often comment on the ‘true type’ of dogs that I breed – when you see them all together it’s hard to see a difference. Every dog I select is the same sort of type and all look very similar, as I like to keep dogs uniformed.

You’re most abiding memory?

Selling my home-bred Blackface ram, Red Bull, for £42,000 at Lanark Auction Mart in 2011. He was purchased by Tinnis and Cuil in ring 2 and I remember before the sale that the pen got busier and busier like it usually is in ring 1. He was a special ram and always stood proud and prominent from a young age.

Biggest disappointment in your career?

I don’t dwell on the disappointments, just move forward and move on.

Most influential person/people in your career?

In the dogs, it would be Davy McTier, while amongst the sheep I would have to say Sandy Patterson.

What’s been your favourite trial to attend over the years and why?

The Vivod trials which are held in Wales, it is one of the oldest trials in the UK. It is a challenging course that will work the dogs and the atmosphere is fantastic.

Your choice of best breeder?

There is not an individual I would select within the dogs, as there are so many. However, within the sheep I would say Sandy Patterson and Ian Hunter. Their knowledge and dedication to their sheep is amazing.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

When it comes to breeding both dogs and sheep, always look after the females.

Best piece of advice you would give to someone training their own dog for the first time?

Have a good bond with your dog and give them time to mature, don’t rush the process.

Biggest achievement?

Again, selling Red Bull for £42,000.

Another would be selling a pup which went on to win the English Nursery Final and was reserve champion in the English National Trials in the same year.

We have also exported pups to Europe and the USA, where one went on to be intermediate national cattledog champion in 2021.

If you could have gone into another breed what would it have been and why?

I don’t think there is another breed of dog or sheep that would outshine the collie and the Blackface.

Anything you would go back and change in your career?

I only wish that I had been at Uppercleugh earlier in my life.

Hobbies?

I love photography. I also spend time studying sheepdog pedigrees during the winter months, helping me to decide which dogs to breed my bitches from – it’s not always the dogs winning the prizes that I would use.

What do you think the future of Scottish hill farming looks like?

Not that great as it stands, however, we will need to adapt to the changes the future will bring us.