What are the Basics of Sheep Herding?

Herding sheep is a means of driving a group of sheep from one area to another for purposes of feeding, shelter, or even for competitions. One of the oldest types of domesticated animals, sheep have a natural herd instinct and thus generally prefer to stay with a group and follow the movement of dominant sheep or herding animals. Still practiced in many agricultural societies, the basics of sheep herding give only a brief introduction to the complex skill set for domestic sheep care that has evolved over 11,000 years.

In order to understand the basics of sheep herding, it is first important to understand the behavior and mechanism of sheep. Sheep tend to have excellent hearing and vision, making them alert to potential predators. This means that shepherds and their herding and guard animals must walk a fine line between controlling the sheep and frightening them. As herd animals, sheep rely on safety in numbers, meaning that if one sheep bolts, the rest are likely to follow. Keeping sheep calm and docile is a major part of sheep herding.

Sheep are believed to have poor depth perception, meaning that it is vital for shepherds to know and understand the terrain. Panicked sheep have been known to stampede off cliffs, and even an absentminded sheep can end up in life-threatening situations due to this issue. Generally, sheep are grazed in penned pastures where this is not an issue, but sheep that graze in highland areas or on mountains must be watched and guided carefully around any dangerous precipices.

One of the major components of sheep herding is the use of herd animals. Some dog species have a sheep herding instinct, such as border collies, old English sheepdogs, and Australian shepherds. While these dogs require extensive training to ensure that they follow commands, many become extremely skilled at maintaining a herd and guiding it in the right directions. Sheepdog trials are popular competitions where the best of the best herd dogs must guide a group of sheep through a series of obstacles in a specific order, competing for the best time and accuracy.

In addition to herd animals, many shepherds rely on guard animals to protect the sheep from their natural predators, including wolves, bears, and coyotes. While dogs are often used for guarding as well, some surprising animals make excellent sheep guards. In South America, llamas have been used for centuries to protect sheep from predator attacks. In some areas, donkeys are also used.

Sheep herding primarily aims to manage and protect a flock of sheep, ensuring they have access to fresh pastures, water, and are safe from predators. It involves guiding the sheep from one location to another, often for grazing purposes, and can also include managing breeding, lambing, shearing, and health care.

Border Collies are renowned for their intelligence and agility, making them exceptional herding dogs. Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Belgian Malinois are also highly regarded for their herding abilities. These breeds possess a natural instinct to herd and are trainable, responsive, and have the stamina needed for the task.

Herding dogs communicate with sheep through a combination of body language, eye contact, and vocal commands from the handler. Dogs like the Border Collie use an intense stare, known as "the eye," to control sheep, while other breeds may use their presence and movement to guide the flock. The handler's commands direct the dog's actions.

Training a sheep herding dog begins with basic obedience and progresses to more complex commands specific to herding. Dogs must learn to respond to whistles, hand signals, and voice commands. They are taught to balance the flock, gather and move sheep in a desired direction, and to stop or lie down on command to prevent overworking the sheep.

A shepherd must have a deep understanding of sheep behavior, health, and nutrition. They should be skilled in animal husbandry, including lambing and administering basic veterinary care. Shepherds need to be adept at training and working with herding dogs, have good decision-making abilities, and be physically fit to handle the demands of the terrain and weather.

Technology has significantly impacted sheep herding with advancements such as electronic identification tags, which facilitate tracking and managing individual animals' health and breeding data. Drones are increasingly used for monitoring flocks over large areas, and GPS collars on dogs help in managing and training them more effectively. These tools enhance traditional herding methods, improving efficiency and welfare.