Sheep Herding Dogs

The sheep herders all work with dogs. I was never exposed to sheep ranching or herding dogs until moving to Colorado. I love to watch the sheep herders direct their dogs with only a short whistle. The dogs just seem to know what to do. They move the sheep from one grazing site to another, from pen to pen or just sit nearby while the sheep graze and watch for predators.

Remember the Warner Brother cartoon about the sheep dog who was always watching his flock? It is real life here......and just like the cartoon!

I am impressed with the sheep herders and their highly intelligent dogs. A herder can easily tend to a flock of 1500 sheep with the help of his dogs. The dogs have a natural herding instinct, but need a little bit of training when they are puppies. I drove into my driveway coming home from work one day to find two darling Border Collie puppies playing in my yard. They were too young to herd, but later I found them hanging out with the big dogs and learning their trade. The next summer season those same dogs were full grown and took their profession very seriously. I was proud of them.

Last week as I was leaving for work, I found another Border Collie in my front yard. It had been raining and he was wet and muddy. I walked outside dressed for work and the dog decided that he didn't want me to leave.....so he herded me away from my car! I have never been herded before! I kept trying to walk around him but he was fast and kept me from moving forward. Of course, I was letting him get away with it because I was afraid he was going to jump on me and he was so muddy. I tried to out run him and he got me......I had to go back inside and clean up before I could go to work. The second time, I ran to the car and got away before he tried to stop me. It really was fun.

One of the dogs laying  in my yard keeping a watchful eye on the sheep.

My cat Acey, keeping a watchful eye on the dog in the yard!!

Sheep kicking up dust as they are moved into a coral.

The sheep tucked in for the evening.