Amanda Owen Swaps Sheep for Show Dogs in Harrogate
The Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen did something completely unexpected this weekend. While most people know her as the hardy Yorkshire Shepherdess braving the wilds of Ravenseat with nine kids and plenty of livestock, Amanda took a swerve off her normal path, spending the day judging pooches instead of sheep. Flanked by her children Miles and Edith, she rolled up to the Harrogate Dog Show—a world away from sheep pens and open moorland.
On her Instagram, Amanda admitted they 'must be barking mad' for trying something so out of the ordinary. The trio got to pick their favorites from a parade of wagging tails and shining coats, talking with enthusiastic dog owners delirious from the unusually sunny Yorkshire weather. For Amanda, who’s used to trudging through mist and rain on her farm, the sunshine and cheerful chaos was a welcome change.
A Day of Dogs, Sun, and Stories
The event had no shortage of charm. Dog lovers poured in, each determined to show that their furry friends were the best in town. Amanda shared that the real highlight wasn’t just sizing up the competition, but listening to the owners swap stories about how their four-legged pals had wiggled their way into the family. It was an atmosphere that was hard to resist, brimming with smiles, laughter, and probably more than a few muddy paw prints.
The show itself was thrown together by the teams at York Dog Park and YourHarrogate—getting a special mention from the Owen family for nailing the organization and creating such a relaxed, joyful vibe. As judges for the day, Amanda and her kids got stuck in, helping decide the top dogs in categories that seemed as fun as they were serious. Kids and adults alike cheered for everything from scruffy rescues to primped pedigrees.
If you’re used to watching Amanda wrangling sheep, chasing after her children, and weathering the elements on Channel 5, seeing her with a judge’s clipboard in one hand and a winning rosette in the other feels pretty surreal. Yet, there’s something about her down-to-earth humor—calling the adventure 'barking mad'—that makes you want to root for her even more.
The outing reminded fans that even in the busiest, muddiest rural lives, there’s always room for spontaneity. For Amanda Owen, the detour from farm fields to dog rings was just another chapter in a life packed with surprises—and plenty of animal magic.
