Puppy power at the Palace

Shaun Walker, Head Shepherd at Blenheim Place in Oxfordshire, really has his hands full this summer – with the arrival of seven boisterous sheepdog pups, all raring to go.

Shaun’s female collie, Nan, gave birth to the litter of 4 boy pups and 3 girls, and they’re already bursting with energy and proving a real handful.

Shaun has already selected one of the pups who will be staying on the estate to be trained up to take care of Blenheim Estate’s 1,000-strong flock in the future, a process that can take two years. The working dogs at Park Farm herd the sheep when moving them to fresh pasture and work them into pens, making them integral to the estate team.

Visit Britain’s Greatest Palace and its stunning grounds – www.blenheimpalace.com