Sheep and Track Dogs The following information is based on a combination of resources from people, books, the internet, television, and personal experiences. Never practice any treatment on your lamb you are uncomfortable with. A track dog is a dog trained to chase sheep around an inclosed track. The sheep run from the dog, getting exercise and conditioning the muscle they already have. The difference between having a dog chase sheep, versus a person or other object (4-wheeler) chasing the sheep is adrenaline. The fear of being attacked by a dog causes adrenaline to raise through the bloodstream of the sheep, making them run even faster. The faster they run, the better workout they get. The Track The sheep track is like a smaller version of a track used for track and field events. It is oval-shaped with long straightaways on either side and 4 turns throughout. Fencing is placed both on the outside edge of the track and the inside edge of the track, creating an oval-shaped opening in the middle. Usually, the handler will guide the dog(s) from the inside of the track. Special care must be taken in order to prevent running sheep from smashing into the fencing, especially when going around corners. To do this, it's best to prevent the sheep from seeing out of the track by using a material like plastic from an above ground swimming pool, indoor/outdoor carpet, or even heavy industrial-type belting. Depending on the material used to cover corners will determine how much damage may be done to the sheep if they do run into the fencing. Net wire fencing will do fine on the straightaways, while 4"x4" square panels 8 feet tall in the outside curves will prevent escape. 4 to 4 1/2 feet tall fencing for the inside of the track work best in case you need to get over it quickly to the sheep. The Dog The track dog isn't just any ordinary dog. The track dog must be properly trained and in proper condition to work sheep. The majority of dogs used when tracking sheep are from the herding group of dogs. Some of the most popular track dogs are Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Australian Kelpies, Belgian Sheepdogs, and Australian Cattle Dogs. The Routine The majority of those who track their sheep recommend tracking every other day to give the muscles time to rest. To start your sheep on the track, begin with two lambs. This helps the lambs feed off each other's fear and tends to keep them from jumping into the fence so much, which they will do the first few times they are ran. After they are used to the track, the really fast ones can be put in by themselves, so they get that full sprint going wide open. The ones that drag a little can be put together so the dog can keep both moving without one sprinting away from the other. |
This page was last updated on: January 7, 2005
Sheep and Track Dogs The following information is based on a combination of resources from people, books, the internet, television, and personal experiences. Never practice any treatment on your lamb you are uncomfortable with. A track dog is a dog trained to chase sheep around an inclosed track. The sheep run from the dog, getting exercise and conditioning the muscle they already have. The difference between having a dog chase sheep, versus a person or other object (4-wheeler) chasing the sheep is adrenaline. The fear of being attacked by a dog causes adrenaline to raise through the bloodstream of the sheep, making them run even faster. The faster they run, the better workout they get. The Track The sheep track is like a smaller version of a track used for track and field events. It is oval-shaped with long straightaways on either side and 4 turns throughout. Fencing is placed both on the outside edge of the track and the inside edge of the track, creating an oval-shaped opening in the middle. Usually, the handler will guide the dog(s) from the inside of the track. Special care must be taken in order to prevent running sheep from smashing into the fencing, especially when going around corners. To do this, it's best to prevent the sheep from seeing out of the track by using a material like plastic from an above ground swimming pool, indoor/outdoor carpet, or even heavy industrial-type belting. Depending on the material used to cover corners will determine how much damage may be done to the sheep if they do run into the fencing. Net wire fencing will do fine on the straightaways, while 4"x4" square panels 8 feet tall in the outside curves will prevent escape. 4 to 4 1/2 feet tall fencing for the inside of the track work best in case you need to get over it quickly to the sheep. The Dog The track dog isn't just any ordinary dog. The track dog must be properly trained and in proper condition to work sheep. The majority of dogs used when tracking sheep are from the herding group of dogs. Some of the most popular track dogs are Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Australian Kelpies, Belgian Sheepdogs, and Australian Cattle Dogs. The Routine The majority of those who track their sheep recommend tracking every other day to give the muscles time to rest. To start your sheep on the track, begin with two lambs. This helps the lambs feed off each other's fear and tends to keep them from jumping into the fence so much, which they will do the first few times they are ran. After they are used to the track, the really fast ones can be put in by themselves, so they get that full sprint going wide open. The ones that drag a little can be put together so the dog can keep both moving without one sprinting away from the other. |
The Lambinators 4-H Club of Scioto County, Ohio |
75 ft long in the straightaways |
24 ft wide from outside to outside |
42 inches wide lanes |
5 ft wide at the top of the curves |
Gate |
Gate |
A Rough Plan for Building a Sheep Track |
