Herding flocks of sheep, bringing joy to people with learning difficulties, and now winning at a major Championship Dog Show - is there anything this ‘superdog’ can’t do?

Ebony, a two year old Bearded Collie from Brotton near Saltburn-by-the-Sea, has delighted owner Linda Peirson by winning Best of Breed at the Driffield Agricultural Society Championship Dog Show in Yorkshire at the weekend. She beat off stiff competition from around a hundred other dogs to scoop the award which seals her passage to DFS Crufts 2010 at the NEC in Birmingham, and is her biggest achievement to date.

Ebony has many other talents as well. She is a natural herder, and Linda is keen to let her go with her instincts and take part in what she was born to do.

Linda said: “Ebony showed a real keenness to herd and so I decided to give her the opportunity to see if the natural instinct was there, and it certainly was. She showed so much promise and potential in lots of aspects of herding. She loves it so much, and is a natural both in the show ring and in the field with her 11 year old Border Collie partner.”

Ebony’s lust for life also plays a part in Linda’s job as a carer working with people with learning difficulties, where she brings great joy to two ladies Linda cares for. Linda has worked as a carer for nine years, and in that time has used her dogs as therapy for her patients in a care home which does not let residents own pets.

Linda said: “The satisfaction that the ladies get from Ebony’s visits is just amazing. My dog loves to be around people and gives love in abundance. Just having the opportunity to stroke her and put her fringe right, is quite tearful for the ladies. She is a truly remarkable dog indeed.”

Linda is a member of the Kennel Club’s Accredited Breeder Scheme, which means she agrees to carry out all of the required health tests for her Bearded Collies, and takes other steps to give her the best chance of breeding happy, healthy puppies. She has been showing and breeding Bearded Collies for over 30 years.

Caroline Kisko, Communications Director at the Kennel Club, said: “Congratulations on Ebony’s win at Driffield. She certainly is a fantastic advertisement for the many varied roles dogs can play in society. It is heart-warming that she has clearly touched the lives of so many people outside the family she is part of too.”

The Driffield Championship Dog Show is one of 37 General Championship Dog shows throughout the year that enable dogs to qualify for DFS Crufts, in March 2010. For more information on the world’s largest dog show, please visit www.dfscrufts.org.uk.