For me, the bond I have with Peg, my border collie sheepdog is priceless. I know how very lucky I, and thousands of other shepherds and farmers, are to have these extraordinarily bright, enthusiastic dogs at our side. But we, who work the land and our flocks, are not the only beneficiaries of the extraordinary relationship between man and dog

InA Farmer and His Dog,AdamHenson explores the unique relationship between a farmer and his most loyal friend. Sheepdogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes from border collies to Australian kelpies (rumoured to be a distant relative of the dingo). Not only are they essential to the running of a farm, but they are also fiercely intelligent and exceptionally devoted companions, having evolved over millennia to make the make the work of a shepherd possible.

But it is not just the farmer working the land who benefits from the extraordinary relationship between man and dog. Beginning by introducing us to the dogs who have been faithful companions to the Henson family over the years, Adam goes on to explore the impact made by the UKs hardest working breeds. From traditional herding dogs and gundogs such as the Labradors he grew up with and the Hungarian wire-haired Vizslas like Boo and Olive who live with him now to the assistance dogs, sniffer dogs and even search and rescue dogs, whose stories have reinforced Adams belief that we humans owe an enormous debt to our wet-nosed, four-legged friends.

Adam Henson presentsCountryfile,often from his 650-hectare farm in the Cotswolds. Having studied Agriculture at college, Adam took over Bemborough Farm from his father, Joe. The farm now grows wheat, spring barley and oilseed rape, runs a flock of 400 commercial ewes and has the UK's leading collection of rare breeds, many of which are in demand for film sets and advertisements. Cotswold Farm Park (www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk) offers a total countryside experience for all the family, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors each year.

Adam presentedLambing Livewith Kate Humble, writes forCountryfilemagazine and has appeared on Radio 4'sOn Your FarmandFarming Today. He is the author of two previous books,Adams Farm: My Life on the Landand theSunday Timesbestseller,Like Farmer, Like Son.