Rolo the 'dog sheep' goes global

In Pictures: Rolo the sheep goes through her paces

Interest in a performing sheep, who thinks she is a dog, has grown into a global phenomenon said her owner.

Since Rolo's talent for herding ducks was revealed two months ago, TV companies from all over the world have been in touch.

A TV crew from Korea has already visited owner Emlyn Roberts at his home in Pentir, Gwynedd, with a US crew due soon.

Daytime TV programmes in the UK are also queuing up.

"All the different news people have been here and Rolo's had such a lot of publicity I felt I needed to teach her some new tricks," said Mr Roberts.

Plans to take Rolo and her act to shows over the summer months had to be cancelled because of a family illness.

But Mr Roberts said there had been such an interest in her it was probably a good thing that she was not over doing things.

Emlyn Roberts says he has been amazed by the response

"I'm glad on the lamb's part that she's getting so much publicity and also it's giving me a living," said Mr Roberts.

Mr Roberts found Rolo unconcious in a field when she was born and discovered her unusual talent as he hand-reared her.

Rolo, who celebrated her first birthday in June, is completely at home with Mr Roberts five dogs.

She is equally comfortable with the ducks she expertly herds into a pen along a bridge constructed in the back garden of Mr Roberts' home.

"I wasn't sure how it would work out at the beginning but she quickly made friends with the dogs and she even squeezed inside the dog kennel - I was worried she'd get stuck, but she got out ok," said Mr Roberts.

Mr Roberts got into sheep-dog training after encouragement from his father when his dreams of a career as a footballer were dashed when he failed at a trial for Manchester City.

He did well a the traditional sheep-dog trials before branching out in to using his dogs to herd ducks.

He was invited to Crufts for the first time with his duck-herding in 1994.

"I've been to Crufts 10 times with the dogs and ducks but it would be really something if I got to go with Rolo. It would really be the ultimate for me, a real pinnacle to what I do," he added.