What Are the Duties of a Sheepdog?

Sheep farmers often use dogs to help them manage their flocks, and breeds have been developed specifically for this purpose. A sheepdog can have many duties, including herding, holding and protecting the sheep. To be successful, a sheepdog must learn to respond correctly to a wide range of commands. A sheepdog also can be entered into sheepherding competitions called sheepdog trials.

  1. Guarding Livestock

    • Shepherds originally used dogs to guard their livestock, including flocks of sheep and goats. These dogs were often large, hardy breeds that could defend sheep from predators, such as wolves and bears. To fulfill their duties, the dog breeds that were developed for the task were courageous, independent thinkers with naturally protective instincts; sheepdogs also needed to be able to work without bothering the sheep. Shepherd dogs are still used to guard livestock in the United States. Shepherd dogs include the Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Karst Shepherd Dog and Maremma Sheepdog breeds.

    Herding

    • A sheepdog herds its master's livestock for the purpose of rounding up the sheep or moving them from one area to another. To fulfill this duty, a sheepdog must be fast and agile to outrun the sheep and herd the flock. A sheepdog must also be extremely obedient and responsive, as they must listen to and respond to instructions when working with the sheep. Herding dogs include the Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Border Collie, Old English Sheepdog and German Shepherd breeds.

    Holding Sheep

    • Dogs can be used to manage a flock by keeping the sheep in place when necessary -- an action that may apply to a single sheep or to the entire flock. The farmer may command the sheepdog to control the sheep when he is shearing them or providing medical treatment to the flock. A sheepdog can also be used to separate the flock into different groups. Herding dogs are used for holding sheep.

    Sheepdog Trials

    • Sheepdogs can be entered into trials in which they work alongside their masters to herd a flock of sheep into a defined area within a specified time period. A panel of judges scores the trials; the dog that herds the sheep in the shortest time, with the least amount of faults, is named the winner. The Border Collie is one of the most popular dog breeds entered into these competitions; the breed is prized for its high intelligence, hard-working nature and intense focus, according to the American Kennel Club.