King Charles accepting applications for shepherd to look after 2,000 royal sheep
King Charles III is looking for a shepherd to help look after his 2,000 royal sheep -but they must have their own dog.The Sandringham Estate is advertising for a skilled shepherd with at least two years’ experience to tend the monarch’s 2,000-strong flock of Aberfields.The farm on Sandringham Estate has 200 hectares of permanent grass for breeding the ewes and beef shorthorn-based cattle.Criteria for becoming the King’s newest shepherd includes having your own working dog, a full clean UK driving licence and a right to live and work in the UK.A job advert on its website says: “Day to day shepherding will form the majority of this role with some assistance in winter housing and spring calving of the beef herd.“A passion for livestock, an open mind, and a willingness to learn and develop alongside an innovative system will be critical to succeeding in this role.”It says the successful candidate will be a self-motivated team player “able to uphold the highest standards of animal welfare”.And it adds they must have their own working dog or dogs and a full driving licence.Sheep on the estate, which is organically-farmed, are used to produce “finished lamb for a premium supermarket retailer”.Their numbers were increased by the then Prince Charles in 2019 as their droppings would help fertilise the sandy soil.The King has revolutionised farming on the 21,000-acre estate, which he inherited after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II in September, 2022.As well as turning it over the organic farming methods, he has also re-introduced rare breed cattle, planted hedgerows and helped rear rare birds.