[Americanchild]

Yeah, herding dogs are completely different since the herding instinct is actually a modified attack and must be under human control. These dogs are usually high-energy friendly types that incidentally do their job by scaring the bejessus out of the sheep! Livestock guardians are the complete opposite. They want to protect the sheep because they think they ARE sheep too, and the sheep agree. They are large intimidating dogs, but very low key and quiet unless danger threatens.

[familyop]

"They want to protect the sheep because they think they ARE sheep too, and the sheep agree."

Yes, because they are raised from puppy-hood with the sheep. Having sheep for livestock is a 24/7 hassle--not easy at all.

Here's another situation that has happened. A stray dog (another neighbor's dog, for example) that doesn't belong around the sheep can cause sheep to bunch-up in the corner of an enclosure. In that scenario, some of the sheep will be asphyxiated to death from nothing more than fear of the strange dog. As you probably know, strange dogs running loose around a herd of sheep must be shot.

[ASOC]

Thanks for the info. That’s what I like about FR - lots of smart folks sharing good smarts.

[proud_yank]

Yeah, herding dogs are completely different since the herding instinct is actually a modified attack and must be under human control. These dogs are usually high-energy friendly types that incidentally do their job by scaring the bejessus out of the sheep!

These were guard dogs, different from a herding dog. I agree with you on the high energy, but would not say that their instinct is based on an attack-type characteristic.

I've had Bearded Collies since I was little. Our first one would herd us, and the cat. If you're running/playing they can 'nip' you're butt, but it is not an attack. Our last one, who died a couple years ago we stuck in a friends sheep pen. It was pretty neat watching him 'group' them, and gather ones that were separated, and he wasn't trained for herding. They're awesome dogs, and I want one of my own!!