Why Beate would be an effective mentor
-
German-born Beate Behr represented Wales twice as part of the Welsh team at the International Sheepdog Trials and is in regular demand throughout the UK and overseas as both a trainer and judge too. Sheepdog handling is her passion, yet this busy mum to two grown up children, enjoys all this well-deserved success despite not being brought up on a farm and not even owning a dog until she was 30!
-
Today, former social worker and skills instructor Beate is an experienced and highly respected award-winning competitor, dog trainer, sheepdog handler and hands-on farmer. Her current team of four Border Collies are an integral part of the workforce at the farm she runs alongside her partner in Llansannan. She enjoys training young dogs, but is equally happy working with older, more experienced dogs and of course, their handlers – whatever their age!
-
Beate moved to Wales in 2014 after a successful career as a senior social worker and adult learning specialist in Germany. She believes this part of her working life has provided her with an empathy for people and their health and well-being, in particular mental wellbeing, a subject close to her heart.
-
Beate credits Pearl, her first Border Collie, who helped her win numerous prizes for agility training in Germany, for bringing her to Wales. She had decided on the move to broaden her knowledge by increasing Pearl’s skills ‘and my own’ soon turning this ‘one woman and her dog’ duo into a very different but equally successful partnership.
-
The rest is history! Beate soon became an award-winning sheepdog handler and trainer, living and working in Wales and competing throughout Europe. She has significant skills and experience she’s now happy to pass on as a Farming Connect ‘sheepdog handling’ mentor.
-
Expect to be tasked with homework! Beate is a keen advocate of capturing your training session on video so that you can continue learning from the experience, whether one-to-one or in a group session.
-
Her great interpersonal skills help put people at ease regardless of their background and abilities. Having lived and worked on Welsh farms for many years, she is also an experienced lamber, both indoors and out. Beate also specialises in testing for genetic defects in Border Collies and will provide you with guidance on ethical breeding practices.
Current farm business
- Beef and sheep farmer
- Buying and rearing calves, with a herd of approximately 30 - 40 sold on for finishing each year
- 400 Welsh Mountain ewes and Mules – finished on the farm
- Breeding and training Border Collies
Qualifications/achievements/experience
- MA (Education management)
- Qualified social worker (Germany)
- Former chief executive officer for adult education organisation (Germany)
- Former skills trainer and mentor for refugees (Germany)
- Sheepdog trainer for Aled Owen who is a six times Welsh National Champion, four times International Supreme Champion and two times World Champion.
- Reserve Welsh Sheepdog Handling Champion (2019)
- Welsh Team Member - International Sheepdog Trials (2019 & 2023)
Top tips for business success
“The link between owner and dog can become so special if you work on your skills together. All dogs benefit from consistency, patience and kindness.
“Remember that dogs need a break in concentration when they’re working. You will soon work out what works best for them, usually linked to their age and ability.”
“There are benefits for both one-to-one and group training for sheepdog handling. It’s good to have the undivided attention of your mentor or trainer but you can also learn a lot from other handlers and dogs.”