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A sheepdog is a type of domestic dog whose original purpose was to herd or guard sheep. Sheep dogs are just one category of pastoral dogs. Man first trained sheep dogs to herd and guard his flocks thousands of years ago. This was a remarkable achievement, considering the fact that sheep would have been its natural prey. Man was able to mold them for the special task of tending sheep and to act on the sound of a whistle or by voice command for his advantage.[1][2]
Historically, Herding dogs work alongside the Livestock guardian dog who shows no interest in herding. Some breeds such as the Australian Shepherd were valued on the open range for their ability to herd and protect their charges from predators.[3]
Many sheep dogs are now kept as domestic pets or companion dogs. These dogs are very active and intelligent and require both physical and mental exercise which should be considered carefully before purchasing one as a companion dog.
A sheepdog taking a break in some wool, Victoria, Australia
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A koolie backing sheep, in Australia
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Types of sheep dogs
There are many types of sheep dog, including:
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References
- ^ Hartnagle-Renna, Christine. Herding Dogs: Selection and Training the Working Farm Dog. Kennel Club Books (KCB). pp. 5-7.
- ^ Hartnagle, Jeanne Joy. Herding I, II, III. Canine Training Systems (CTS).
- ^ Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy. All About Aussies: The Australian Shepherd From A to Z. Alpine Publishing.
See also
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