Sheep Dogs

All about Sheep Dogs

Sheep dogs, even in the past, are among those types of dogs that have accompanied man throughout the ages. They have been herding dogs, more specifically guard dogs that make safe pastoral communities' properties including livestock. Some are also herd dogs, ones that make sure no single cattle, sheep or horse goes astray from the main flock. Some are farm dogs who guard the territory the entire from intruders, including foxes that raid chicken pens or raccoons that infiltrate barns to steal anything edible. Some are more frequently guard dogs, to be left behind when masters who go on trips.

Now, with the next millennia coming through, except for dog shows and competitions the sheep dogs' use in rural life has waned. Sheep dogs are overtaken by other means in keeping farms and barns, shifting sheep dogs primary purpose to a more dignified turn -minus the livestock of course. But the name stuck.

Such as German shepherd dogs as guard dogs. Highly intelligent, eager to please, very trainable, and very athletic, a few other dog breed can overcome the German shepherd's qualification as a guard dog and attack dog. And it's no surprise really how German shepherd dogs became trite example for working class dogs. All traits and behavioral are so malleable that it has been a soldier dog, a fireman dog, a watchdog, an attack dog, a lifeguard, a sniffer dog and a family dog.

Another breed of sheep dogs, the Old English sheep dog, is a breed also worthy of praises. Like most sheep dogs, the Old English sheep dogs are adaptable, intelligent, and devoted. And because it is affectionately covered from paw to withers with fluffy hair, its use is more on companionship and family member than as a working class dog. The old English is a devoted dog to the family it was raised and will put its life at stake to protect its family. And it doesn't show any signs of aggression to family members. Having high tolerance, fluffy hair that makes him very endearing and playful, old English sheep dogs are perhaps the most popular sheep dogs next to German shepherds.

Another sheep dogs breed is the bearded collie. The bearded collie perhaps is among the few sheep dogs whose primary functions are still aimed on what it's been bred for. On most ranches over Australia, bearded collies are more common, functioning as comprehensive herders, guarding flocks from predators, keeping them in check inside fences, and being a good farm pet, that is playing and getting together pretty well with the family.