Years ago, dogs such as Collies and Shepherds were used to help tend flocks. Ranchers and farmers continue to use stock dogs today. There are many reasons one might need a stock dog even on smaller farms.
Here are just a few tangible tasks made easier with a stock dog:
- holding stock off during chores
- gathering animals out of brush
- gathering animals out on pasture
- trailing (driving) livestock
- catching ewes and lambs out on pasture
- moving flock from pasture to pasture during summer grazing
- moving sheep in pens for shearing and treatment days
- loading livestock trailers
There are quite a few terms that are specific to herding. A great list written by Pat Taylor () can be found here.