Comments on: Career paths in shepherding

by: fatagina

Sat, 07 May 2005 08:52:39 +0000

well as an australian who already herds sheep for a living, I can’t iamgine that you could possibly have to worry about herding sheepr in the winter over there. they’d most likely just be put into a shed over the long cold winter months. after all, if there’s snow on the ground, where are the poor sheep going to find their grass?

by: very metal

Fri, 06 May 2005 22:48:29 +0000

Some bad news, but not the end of the world, I guess.

by: Alois

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 23:58:15 +0000

Becky–

I have a friend in upstate NY who really is a shepherdess (and loves it). Also an expert dog trainer, one of the best in the US.

If you’d like to read more, here’s her (highly informative) website.

by: Becky

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 21:52:25 +0000

Kaleberg, I was kinda hoping for a pastoral gig. Thanks for your insights–I (and Sarcomical) may have to consider a different career.

Thanks, Joe N. I will certainly not lay off the clip art!

Deidre is free to have her own cult, as long as she doesn’t mess with mine. Is there any chance for my cult? I just have to wait until the housing bubble bursts.

by: Sarcomical

Mon, 21 Mar 2005 18:12:31 +0000

hah! i’m laughing because, do you know how many times i’ve said i just want to go herd sheep in greece or something when i’m frustrated?

*sigh* seems like a decent gig. especially when you break it down like that.

by: Joe N.

Sat, 19 Mar 2005 21:11:35 +0000

Hey! Lay off the clip art! That’s a cute little critter!

by: Kaleberg

Sat, 19 Mar 2005 04:42:16 +0000

Having recently returned from New Zealand, it appears that the sheep herding business has gone a bit more high tech. Shepherds live in houses with electricity, running water, sewage hookups, telephones and internet access. Most of them have cell phones, and the rolling hill country has fairly good coverage.

A lot of the work involves taking the sheep here and guiding the sheep there. The shepherds we saw tended to get about using four wheel all terrain vehicles towing small carts, each equipped with four well trained sheep dogs. These are not pet dogs, and those among us familiar with dogs as house pets would find their training austere.

Still, all this training pays off. For example, we had to stop while the sheep blocked the road. As the ATV approached, the shepherd made a hand signal, “deploy dog two”, and dog two jumped off the cart and began nipping the sheep through the gate on the far side to clear the road for us. We were impressed.

So, don’t think of sheep herding as some old fashioned, pastoral, lie on your ass and wait for the cows, I mean sheep, to come home sort of job. It’s modern, it’s high tech, it’s shepherding today!

by: Cathy

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 06:17:02 +0000

I’m really disapointed about the cult thing. Is there any chance?

Now Deidre wants a cult. She already thinks she’s a goddess

by: yoko

Thu, 17 Mar 2005 00:24:08 +0000

mmm… sheep’s milk cheese….

by: Splurge

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 22:44:26 +0000

Oy! Becky! Don’t burst my bubble! In my dream, shepherds don’t pay taxes! (specifically because of the problem I’m facing right now!)
And Clair, that is a good question! It may actually be possible to train sled dogs to herd themselves… I hadn’t thought of that! But, I think there would be a certain amout of awe in watching a great big moose with huge antlers running around, herding dogs.
I’m sticking with the moose option!