What do dogs and Polaris Rangers have in common? They are both a man’s best friend!

Meet Andrew McIntire, a full-time private breeder and trainer of black Labradors based in Northumberland. For Andrew, being with his dogs isn’t just a job; they’re his whole life.

Having previously worked on a dairy farm for 20+ years, Andrew loves the farm life. Now, he doesn’t work on a farm but still lives on one and runs his breeding business from there. With 1,200 acres to enjoy at his doorstep, it’s the perfect setting to get out and about with his black labs for their daily training routine, plus it provides lots of space for a new litter of puppies each year. 

Two and a half years ago, at just 53 years old, Andrew had a stroke and lost mobility in one of his arms and legs. It meant that he could no longer walk the distance needed to get out with the dogs or enjoy the country life like he used to. It was at that point that his wife, Pam, suggested he try out a side-by-side.

“Initially, I said I don’t know. I didn’t know how much I’d use it, or even if it would be any good for the farm. But in the end, Pam convinced me, and we went down to our closest Polaris dealer: Davies Tractors. We bought our first Ranger 570 that year in 2018, and I haven’t looked back since.

“Before the stroke, I used to be pretty hands-on when it came to things like cars and machinery. The team at Davies Tractors has been brilliant though – they’ve done all sorts for me to make sure my Ranger is running right and got all the necessary equipment to get me going. I’ve got a full cab fitted so I can take the dogs out in any weather, plus some additional lights fitted for winter so I can spot them in the fields”

Having the Ranger 570 on the farm means that Andrew can still carry on with breeding and training the black labs by allowing him to stay mobile. Labradors are known for their friendly and lively temperament, and they need a lot of exercise, so Andrew lets them choose whether they jump in the back of the Ranger 570 in the cargo bed, or whether they run alongside him while he rides to the different places around the farm and allows them to explore. There are woodland spaces dotted around the farm, as well as a couple of streams – much to the dogs’ delight – and having the Ranger 570 means Andrew can access it all, no matter the weather or terrain… and it doesn’t matter how muddy the dogs get either.

“I use the Ranger every single day. It’s an unbelievable machine and for me, it’s genuinely been a lifesaver. No way could I do what I do without it, and the dogs love it too!”