What Kind of Jobs Do English Sheepdogs Have?

The furry and familiar Old English sheepdog has only existed as its own breed since the19th century. It was first bred in the western counties of England and is thought to have been bred from the Scotch bearded collie and the Russian ovcharka. The big, fluffy dogs are generally energetic, affectionate and loyal and are happiest when given interesting and challenging work to do.

  1. Driving Livestock

    • The earliest records of Old English sheepdogs at work describe them as "drovers' dogs" responsible for guiding herds of sheep or cattle to market. The sheepdogs' endurance, calm temperament and natural inclination to work well with others -- human or animal -- made them well suited for guiding varied types of livestock through unpredictable urban environments. The dogs were valued for their ability to adjust their speed and movements to those of the animals they were driving.

    Herding Livestock

    • English sheepdogs were also used, predictably, to herd sheep in pasture. Their size and strength gave them the ability to fend off wolves and other predators. While these dogs always had thick fur that protected them from the elements, they were not originally bred with the extensive long-haired coat they are known for today. Owners of working English sheepdogs kept the dogs' hair at a practical length, and shepherds traditionally sheared their sheepdogs at the same time they sheared their sheep.

    Competitive Herding and Obedience Trials

    • Today, some English sheepdogs get to show off their agility and intelligence in special competitions for show dogs, such as timed herding and obedience trials. While these dogs can have a stubborn streak and can take longer to train than some other breeds, their intelligence, energy and attention span enable them to thrive in competitive events.

    Family Companions

    • English sheepdogs are highly social and hate being alone for long periods of time, which makes them well suited for their most common current job: family companion dog. The dogs are comfortable around children and other pets and enjoy being with people. If you have a lively household and a willingness to share it with a loyal and friendly dog, an English sheepdog may be a good choice for you and your family.