A sheepherder, with the help of a 'working dog', drive a herd of sheep down a coastal road in Half Moon Bay, California. The breed of dog (seen to the right of the sheepherder) is called 'Great Pyrenees'. Used as a livestock guardian dog, they are related to several other large European breeds including the Italian Maremma Sheepdog; the Hungarian Kuvasz; the Turkish Akbash and; the Polish Tatra. They are naturally noctural and very aggressive with any predators that may intend to harm their flock.....though, also, very gentle.

The sheep are used to clear brush. They have a reputation for eating vegetation that most other grazing animals wouldn't touch. The practice is called targeted grazing, and many municipalities like Half Moon Bay use it to keep vacant lots, steep back yards, parks and right-of-ways clear of brush. The Great Pyrenees guard dog blends in with the goats and sheep but is larger than some of them. He left all the brush searching to them however.

Tags:   shepherd herd herding Half Moon Bay sheep people grazing targeted grazing outdoor San Mateo County farm brush animal

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Dogs that have been trained in herding sheep are called 'herding dogs' or 'working dogs'. Their ability to be trained to act on the sound of a whistle or word of command is renowned throughout the world. There are heelers or driving dogs that can push the animals forward and there are headers or fetching dogs that can keep livestock in a group. They consistently go to the front or head of the animals to turn or stop the animal's movement.

Tags:   dog animal Half Moon Bay herding sheep heeler herd driving dog livestock

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Dogs that have been trained in herding sheep are called 'herding dogs' or 'working dogs'. Their ability to be trained to act on the sound of a whistle or word of command is renowned throughout the world. There are heelers or driving dogs that can push the animals forward and there are headers or fetching dogs that can keep livestock in a group. The breed of dog in this photograph is called 'Great Pyrenees'. Used as a livestock guardian dog, they are related to several other large European breeds including the Italian Maremma Sheepdog; the Hungarian Kuvasz; the Turkish Akbash and; the Polish Tatra. They are naturally noctural and very aggressive with any predators that may intend to harm their flock.....though, also, very gentle and can be trusted with small, young, and helpless animals of any kind.

Even though this Great Pyrenees blends in with the goats and sheep and looks very much like one of his flock, you can tell him apart from the others by his large wagging tail. His name is "Oso" which means 'bear' in Spanish.

Tags:   dog herd flock sheep goats herding herding dog Half Moon Bay Great Pyrenees guardian livestock breed heelers farm devotion duty working dog

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Only a few days old, this little lamb was brought to the fold (penned up) by the sheepherder in order to protect it from the larger animals in the flock.

Tags:   lamb herd flock fold sheepherder shepherd Half Moon Bay baby animal

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"I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and they know me".

Dogs that have been trained in herding sheep are called 'herding dogs' or 'working dogs'. Their ability to be trained to act on the sound of a whistle or word of command is renowned throughout the world. There are heelers or driving dogs that can push the animals forward and there are headers or fetching dogs that can keep livestock in a group. They consistently go to the front or head of the animals to turn or stop the animal's movement. This dog appeared to be both a heeler and a header. When the animals are at rest, as in this photograph, he remains among the herd as though he were one of them.

The breed of dog in this photograph is called 'Great Pyrenees'. Used as a livestock guardian dog, they are related to several other large European breeds including the Italian Maremma Sheepdog; the Hungarian Kuvasz; the Turkish Akbash and; the Polish Tatra. They are naturally noctural and very aggressive with any predators that may intend to harm their flock.....though, also, very gentle and can be trusted with small, young, and helpless animals of any kind.

Tags:   dog animal Half Moon Bay herd sheep goat shepherd herding dog working dog heeler driving dog fetching dog Great Pyrenees breed guardian gentle protection

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