Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| Both sides previous revision Previous revision | |||
| shdo:sheepdogs [2026/03/16 21:57] – [Further resources] Simon Grant | shdo:sheepdogs [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| - | # Sheepdogs | + | This topic is part of [[gt: |
| + | ====== | ||
| Line 10: | Line 11: | ||
| - | ## What are sheepdogs? | + | ===== What are sheepdogs? |
| Sheepdogs are working dogs used to herd sheep or other livestock, such as cattle or poultry. Dogs were the first animal to be domesticated by humans and have been selectively bred over thousands of years. In herding dogs, selective breeding has suppressed the desire to kill and eat livestock while maintaining many of the dog’s hunting instincts and skills. | Sheepdogs are working dogs used to herd sheep or other livestock, such as cattle or poultry. Dogs were the first animal to be domesticated by humans and have been selectively bred over thousands of years. In herding dogs, selective breeding has suppressed the desire to kill and eat livestock while maintaining many of the dog’s hunting instincts and skills. | ||
| Line 27: | Line 28: | ||
| - | ## What are the benefits of sheepdogs? | + | ===== What are the benefits of sheepdogs? |
| With a sheepdog to help you can gather and move your livestock much more easily; you don’t have to rely on bucket-trained sheep. It is easier to keep stock on rough hill ground or implement a system where you move animals on frequently. These benefits could allow you to use your land more efficiently or sustainably. | With a sheepdog to help you can gather and move your livestock much more easily; you don’t have to rely on bucket-trained sheep. It is easier to keep stock on rough hill ground or implement a system where you move animals on frequently. These benefits could allow you to use your land more efficiently or sustainably. | ||
| Line 46: | Line 47: | ||
| - | ## What can I do? | + | ===== What can I do? ===== |
| - | ### Getting started | + | ==== Getting started |
| Finding someone local who works dogs and paying them a visit is a great place to start. You can see what their dog does for them and think about whether a dog would work for your holding. Consider if you have enough work for a dog, and how you will provide them with enough exercise and stimulation if you do not. Bear in mind that sheepdogs need far more stimulation and exercise than many other dogs. | Finding someone local who works dogs and paying them a visit is a great place to start. You can see what their dog does for them and think about whether a dog would work for your holding. Consider if you have enough work for a dog, and how you will provide them with enough exercise and stimulation if you do not. Bear in mind that sheepdogs need far more stimulation and exercise than many other dogs. | ||
| Line 78: | Line 79: | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| - | ### Working your dog | + | ==== Working your dog ==== |
| Sheepdogs love to work. Their reward for working is the work itself, and receiving praise, but above all the work. A dog is rarely deliberately disobedient - the chances are, if things are going badly, your dog does not understand what is wanted and instinct has taken over. Your dog needs you to be calm and confident. She needs to have bonded with you and respect you, accepting you as leader of the pack. | Sheepdogs love to work. Their reward for working is the work itself, and receiving praise, but above all the work. A dog is rarely deliberately disobedient - the chances are, if things are going badly, your dog does not understand what is wanted and instinct has taken over. Your dog needs you to be calm and confident. She needs to have bonded with you and respect you, accepting you as leader of the pack. | ||
| Line 95: | Line 96: | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| - | ### Feeding | + | ==== Feeding |
| You can buy good quality dog food from farm feed suppliers in bulk and follow the feeding instructions on the pack. How much your dog needs will depend on how much work she is doing, and will vary between individuals. You need your dog to be fit; keep an eye on her weight and be ready to adjust the amounts if she is getting fat or losing condition. | You can buy good quality dog food from farm feed suppliers in bulk and follow the feeding instructions on the pack. How much your dog needs will depend on how much work she is doing, and will vary between individuals. You need your dog to be fit; keep an eye on her weight and be ready to adjust the amounts if she is getting fat or losing condition. | ||
| Line 110: | Line 111: | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| - | ### Health | + | ==== Health |
| You need to have a good vet who has experience with dogs. The chances are you already have one for your livestock. If you spend time with your dog every day (and it's important that you do), you'll quickly notice if she is unwell. You should also regularly groom your dog, especially if she is long-haired. | You need to have a good vet who has experience with dogs. The chances are you already have one for your livestock. If you spend time with your dog every day (and it's important that you do), you'll quickly notice if she is unwell. You should also regularly groom your dog, especially if she is long-haired. | ||
| Line 127: | Line 128: | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| - | ### Sheepdog trials | + | ==== Sheepdog trials |
| At first, working dogs may simply be a tool for managing your sheep - but it can turn into a passion in itself. There are hundreds of local trialing events held all over the UK ever year where you can test your own and your dog's skills. | At first, working dogs may simply be a tool for managing your sheep - but it can turn into a passion in itself. There are hundreds of local trialing events held all over the UK ever year where you can test your own and your dog's skills. | ||
| Line 148: | Line 149: | ||
| - | ## Further resources | + | ===== Forum ===== |
| + | |||
| + | This topic belongs to the section [[gt: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Further resources | ||
| - [International Sheep Dog Society](https:// | - [International Sheep Dog Society](https:// | ||
| Line 158: | Line 163: | ||
| - | ## Related topics | + | ===== Related topics |
| - [[livs: | - [[livs: | ||
| Line 166: | Line 171: | ||
| - | ## Specialist curators of this topic | + | ===== Specialist curators of this topic ===== |