Edit: I’m learning a lot about sheep dogs.
No, dogs know what a dog is, and also what a not-dog is. They clearly make distinctions, behave differently towards different things, and so on. They are neither as dumb as some people think, nor as smart as other people think.
Cats too, by the way, despite some claims to the contrary out there. Neither dogs nor cats act with the same behaviors they use with others of their species as they do with others of other species.
Pretty sure all dogs think all things that walk are just big or small, smart or dumb dogs.
They’re well aware they are not dogs.
I don’t think so. My border colli does the same with our chicken and with our kids.
Yeah the Aussie I used to have would heard my chickens as well. Was worried he’d kill them when I first got chickens… But walked outside one day and saw he had hopped the fence to their run and was laying in the middle just watching them peck around him. Never worried after that
Depends on the type of sheep dog. Herding types like border collies definitely know sheep are different.
But the big, fluffy, white sheepdogs were bred to hang around with the flock so they might see the sheep as their pack which they defend.
That’s pretty much how we think about dogs.
I don’t think so. Sheep don’t smell like dogs.
Also I’ve never seen a dog try to make lamb-puppies
I don’t know. Have you ever watched competitive sheep herding? I wouldn’t want to step in between that dog.
Of course there’s competitive sheep herding. Why not.
Only casual, social sheep herding for me.
I was a pro herder once. Even made it to the top. Till the accident. Now i train the bad kids to be the best sheep herders in the city. All they need is a shot!
I’m fine with competitive sheep herding but I’m definitely not dipping into Ranked.
I hear the sheepherding meta is toxic this season.
I saw it at a Scottish Games.
