Jackie the Sheep Dog

Meet Jackie, a border collie in the mountains of southern Italy. She's still learning her commands. Watch as she demonstrates some of the most important ones with the sheep.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• jackie
• border
• collie
• italy
• molise
• sheep
• shepherd
• shepherding
• mountains
• dogs
• maremma
• maremmano
• sheepdog
• cheese

[wombab143]

Nice vid.  Interesting that the commands are all in English. How come?

[dgritzer]

The herding system was developed by the Scottish, so the same English commands are used around the world with only minor variation. Maybe there are other herding systems I don't know about, but I'm pretty sure this is the main one. Although what's funny is that in Itay I had to say the English commands with a faux-Italian accent for the collie to understand! So "Come-by" ended up being "Coom-by".

[dgritzer]

Actually, in the video it basically sounds like "Come-by", but I did have to tweak my pronunciation for her to understand. In the video you can hear it on "Walk on". I wouldn't normally say it like that.

[kateshv]

possibly a dumb question, but, I was surprised to see the BC playing with the guard dogs, the Pyrenees. Would not the Pyrenees ordinarily view the BC as a predator?

[dgritzer]

it's a good question. I think because the maremmani have been around the collie since they were born, they are aware that it doesn't present a real danger to the sheep, although the sheep don't seem able to figure that out.

[vegasdave901]

This is the first time I've heard of the Maremma. Beautiful dog. Look like Pyrenees but probably not as bit. Are they for protection while the BC works the flock?

[dgritzer]

Yes, they are for protection. Major guarding instinct. They are raised with the sheep from when they are puppies. Mario, the owner of this flock had to personally introduce me to each dog before I would be safe around them. After that they are like big cuddly teddy bears.

[chia8219]

You have to search "pastore maremmano abruzzese" :)

[harrykitty]

Brava, Jackie!

[nikicole0319]

HAHA at 1:25 i thought they were sheeps

[RaceCar511]

Viva Italia!

[lockie2000]

i have a maremma Appollo beautiful dog but since we live in Sydney and he is not used for farm work we have to walk him alot. we got him at 18 months old because his last owners abused him (the pricks), but as i saw in the commement below it is true that you have to introduce people to him like i did with my two friends and now he is a big cuddly teddy bears too.

[zubery]

I did a search for the maremma on youtube and this was the only video I found. Seems they are rare. I have an OES and angora rabbits that live outdoors. We just found out that we have cougars on our hilll and land so I was researching livestock guardian dogs. Wonderful video by the way.

[edieqq]

Jackie is obviously a well loved little lady. Our border collie is a (smiley) sheep dog, too. Thanks for posting such a beautiful video!