sheepdog

sheepdog — noun

1. a dog whose job is to guide, gather, and move sheep from one area to another, su

1.名詞B1
釋義

a dog whose job is to guide, gather, and move sheep from one area to another, such as into a different field or a holding pen.

例句

Ayesha watched the sheepdog guide the flock into a fresh field before sunset.

guide + flock + field — typical objects and direction

The farmer trained his young sheepdog to follow whistle commands from across the valley.

trained + to follow + whistle commands — training context

同義詞
  • herding dog

    broader term — includes dogs that herd cattle, goats, or other livestock, not only sheep

  • shepherd dog

    less common synonym, used mainly in older or regional English

用法筆記

The term emphasises the dog's trained function more than its breed. A mixed-breed animal that has learned to herd sheep is still called a sheepdog.

常見錯誤

❌The shepherd guided the sheep across the road.' (when referring to the dog)
✅The sheepdog guided the sheep across the road.
💡shepherd is the person who handles the dog; sheepdog is the dog itself.
❌I saw a German Shepherd herding sheep in the field.
✅I saw a sheepdog herding sheep in the field.
💡German Shepherd is one specific breed; sheepdog is a broader term for any dog that herds sheep.

2. a type of dog that belongs to a breed traditionally used for herding or guarding

2.名詞B1
釋義

a type of dog that belongs to a breed traditionally used for herding or guarding sheep, such as the border collie, Old English sheepdog, or Belgian sheepdog.

例句

The Old English sheepdog has a thick, shaggy coat that needs regular grooming.

Old English sheepdog — breed name used with physical description

Wei adopted a sheepdog from the local animal shelter and named it Buster.

adopted from shelter — pet adoption context

同義詞
  • collie

    narrower — refers specifically to long-haired herding breeds from Scotland and northern England

  • herding breed

    broader category — includes any breed of dog developed for managing livestock

用法筆記

Frequently combined with a breed name before the word, as in 'Old English sheepdog' or 'Belgian sheepdog.' The focus is on ancestry and physical type, not necessarily on current training.

常見錯誤

❌Border collies are a breed of shepherd.
✅Border collies are a breed of sheepdog.
💡shepherd refers to a person; sheepdog refers to the dog breed.