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Sheepdog: meaning, definitions and examples

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sheepdog

 

[ ˈʃiːpˌdɒɡ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

working animal

A sheepdog is a type of working dog traditionally used to herd and guard sheep. These dogs are known for their intelligence, agility, and loyalty to their owners. They are often trained to respond to various commands to control the movement of sheep.

Synonyms

border collie, collie, herding dog.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sheepdog

General term for a dog trained to herd and manage sheep. Suitable for general conversations or when the specific breed isn't emphasized.

  • The farmer's sheepdog kept the flock together.
  • They trained a new sheepdog for the ranch.
collie

Broader term referring to a group of herding dog breeds, not just border collies. Used when speaking about collies in general or within the context of herding.

  • Collies are known for their loyalty and herding skills.
  • She has a beautiful collie that loves to play.
herding dog

General term for dogs bred for herding animals. Appropriate when discussing the role or type of dog without specifying a particular breed.

  • A herding dog is essential for managing large flocks.
  • Herding dogs have a natural instinct to control the movement of animals.
border collie

Specific breed known for its intelligence and agility. Best used when talking about the breed's characteristics or specific examples involving this breed.

  • The border collie quickly learned new tricks.
  • Border collies are incredibly energetic and need lots of exercise.

Examples of usage

  • The sheepdog guided the flock of sheep across the field.
  • The farmer relied on his sheepdog to keep the sheep safe from predators.

Translations

Translations of the word "sheepdog" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cão pastor

🇮🇳 भेड़पालक कुत्ता

🇩🇪 Schäferhund

🇮🇩 anjing gembala

🇺🇦 вівчарка

🇵🇱 owczarek

🇯🇵 シープドッグ

🇫🇷 chien de berger

🇪🇸 perro pastor

🇹🇷 çoban köpeği

🇰🇷 양치기 개

🇸🇦 كلب الراعي

🇨🇿 ovčácký pes

🇸🇰 ovčiak

🇨🇳 牧羊犬

🇸🇮 ovčarski pes

🇮🇸 sauðahundur

🇰🇿 қойшы ит

🇬🇪 მწყემსის ძაღლი

🇦🇿 çoban iti

🇲🇽 perro pastor

Etymology

The term 'sheepdog' has been in use since the 1570s, derived from the combination of 'sheep' and 'dog'. Sheepdogs have played a vital role in agriculture for centuries, assisting farmers in managing and protecting their flocks of sheep. These intelligent and hardworking dogs have a long history of working closely with humans in rural settings.

See also: sheep, sheepishly.