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The role of a sheepdog is just as important on today's modern farms as it has been for thousands of years. The earliest historical evidence of sheep farming dates back to around 9000 BC, when dogs played a crucial role in the wellbeing of the flock. Sheep were first domesticated across Asia and Europe after the glaciers receded and were replaced by forests. Animals such as wild boar, stags, deer and the ancestors of today's sheep became a food source for humans. People began to form bonds with dogs, using them for hunting and guarding the early settlements.   Guardian dogs Gradually, the sheep and goats were domesticated and were kept in flocks, with the dogs becoming livestock guardians. Archaeological evidence has revealed guardian dogs spread across the same regions as the sheep. Both species existed and developed during the same periods in history, providing further proof of their relationship. Early sheepdogs were mastiff breeds, as they were large and powerful, with a broad mouth. They were able to fight off any wild animals, stopping them from attacking the shepherds and their sheep. Protection against predators was crucial, as the country was largely unknown to the nomadic people. Livestock guardian dogs lived side by side with the flocks of domesticated animals, not disrupting them, but safeguarding them against wolves, bears and large wild cats. The role of the sheepdog didn't change until around 2000 BC, when it evolved into more of a herding animal than a protector. Archaeologists have found many sites across Britain, including a famous one at Windmill Hill in Wiltshire, containing the bones of domesticated sheep and cattle.   Herding breeds Over the centuries, certain breeds became known as herding breeds, as the role of the shepherd also evolved. Herding dogs were widely used throughout Europe, including in Britain, by the late 16th century. Dr Johannes Caius, the eminent physician of Queen Mary I, coined the phrase "shepherd's dog" in 1576, when he wrote a paper called "Of Englishe Dogges". He described a breed that wasn't "vast or big". He observed this didn't matter, as it didn't have to fend off "bloodthirsty" wolves, which were extinct in England by the 15th century. He described how the shepherd's dog reacted to "his master's voice", his whistling, or his "shrill and hoarse hissing". The dog herded the sheep wherever the shepherd commanded. They would "gather themselves together in a flock", while the shepherd followed behind "with little labour". Today, the most common breed for a sheepdog is the border collie, which has been bred for hundreds of years. It is a high-energy, high-drive, intelligent breed that moves rapidly to carry out its duties. Virtually unrivalled in terms of intelligence, instinct and endurance, this premier sheepdog lives for its job 24/7.   Border collie origins The modern-day border collie has its origins in the border between Scotland and England. The rough, hilly terrain required a sturdy and easily trainable dog with natural herding instincts. Until the 1860s, it was strictly a working dog, but its profile was raised after Queen Victoria revealed she loved the rough-coated collies she saw at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. The royal seal of approval raised the breed's profile at a time when dog shows were growing in popularity. Dog lovers took the collie into the show ring, where it demonstrated its prowess. Initially, shepherds in Britain supplied the early show collies from their litters of puppies. However, breeding show dogs was completely different from breeding a working dog. This was a turning point for the modern border collie, as the separation of working and show collies was underway by around 1900. Shepherds carried on breeding their working dogs based on their ability to herd sheep, while breeders put more emphasis on physical appearance. This led to a new show breed, the rough collie (the long-haired, Lassie-type dog), while the border collie continued to excel as a working dog. Sheepdog trials started in Britain in the 1870s, determining the best dogs, while selective breeding programmes created the perfect breed for training, working and durability. The border collie today is virtually unchanged from its ancestors in the 19th century. It still has an unparalleled herding instinct. Many working dog owners frown upon any organisation that prizes dogs' physical appearance over their working abilities.   Sheepdogs' importance to working farms The sheepdog is absolutely crucial to working farms today, not only in Britain but all over the world. Sheepdogs move sheep from one pasture to another, bringing them into the barn or pen. They separate individual sheep from the flock when necessary. As well as the border collie, other typical sheepdog breeds are the bearded collie and the kelpie. All with excellent herding instincts, they are easy to train and enjoy working, as their high intelligence means they need plenty of stimulation and exercise to keep them happy. A sheepdog helps the farmer to gather together and move livestock easily. While they are mostly used to herd sheep, they can also help with cows, pigs and even poultry. They also enable the farmers to use their land more sustainably and efficiently, as moving the sheep around is much simpler with a sheepdog. Modern farming methods have introduced quad bikes for farmers herding sheep on rough terrain, but sheepdogs beat them hands down. Dogs can work on rough, wet terrain, without damaging the soil. Of course, they are more environmentally friendly than a motorised vehicle. Sheepdogs can also sniff out injured or hidden sheep or can pick out the sound of sheep if any have escaped, pinpointing where they are. A dog can also separate a sheep who is injured from the rest of the flock for veterinary treatment, without causing alarm like a quad bike would. In addition, training a sheepdog and working with dogs every day is a rewarding and enjoyable pastime. There are always new challenges and more to learn. The farmers learn new skills along with their dogs. A sheepdog is also a great companion and guard dog, which is especially useful in remote rural areas.   Training a sheepdog Askham Bryan College, in York, has joined forces with the International Sheep Dog Society to launch a pioneering scheme to teach students sheepdog handling skills. The college has its own flock of 320 sheep for practical training. Students pair up with their own dogs, or with a dog borrowed from the trainer, Jackie Goulder, who believes using dogs makes everything so much easier. A sheepdog starts training at between six and 12 months. It needs to be fast and sturdy enough to herd the sheep and mentally mature enough to deal with being in close proximity to livestock. General obedience training can start as young as 12 weeks, but the dog needs to be at least six months before working with the sheep. Initially, they should work with a small flock of up to ten quiet ewes. Formal training with a larger flock commences at around ten to 14 months, depending on the individual dog's progress. The pressures of training a young dog can leave him exhausted, so initial sessions might be as short as 15 minutes. Training should be fun, so if the dog is getting tired and anxious, it's time to take a break - it can ruin a good dog if too much pressure is piled on from a young age. The age when a sheepdog is considered fully trained depends on the individual dog and also on the farmer's opinion, as their own views on what constitutes full training can differ. Similarly, there's no specific age when a sheepdog should retire. This should be when he is no longer able to do the job. A lot of retired sheepdogs are rehomed to live out their final years in a peaceful, loving home. Sheepdogs will work all year round, whatever the weather, even in the cold winter months. As long as they have the right food and a nice warm bed, they will enjoy their active lifestyle.   What other breeds are used as sheepdogs? Sheepdogs are used by farmers all over the world. While collies are the main breed in the UK, this differs in other countries. The main herding dog in Israel is the Bedouin sheepdog, also called the Canaan dog - an ancient breed that is the nation's national dog. Bigger and sturdier than a collie, it has a broader face and pointed ears. In Hungary, the long-haired Hungarian Puli, a medium-sized breed, is well-known for guarding livestock. Normally black, it is fast and agile, with an apparently inbuilt instinct of how to herd sheep. In Romania, a large, shaggy breed of mountain dog, the Carpathian Shepherd Dog is the most common breed for guarding the flock. Devoted and courageous, it protects the livestock and the farmer from predators such as bears and wolves and from thieves. Despite the advances in technology in the 21st century, it appears there will always be a place for sheepdogs on working farms.