sheepdog
sheepdog — 名詞
1. a dog whose job is to guide, gather, and move sheep from one area to another, su
牧羊犬
受訓練協助管理羊群的狗
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.
Ayesha watched the sheepdog guide the flock into a fresh field before sunset.
Ayesha 看著牧羊犬在日落前將羊群引導到一片新的草地上。
guide + flock + field — typical objects and direction
The farmer trained his young sheepdog to follow whistle commands from across the valley.
農夫訓練他那隻年輕的牧羊犬，讓牠能聽從遠方傳來的哨聲指令。
trained + to follow + whistle commands — training context
Stefan's sheepdog worked all morning to bring the sheep down from the hillside pasture.
Stefan 的牧羊犬整個早上都在工作，把羊群從山坡牧場帶下來。
Without a sheepdog, managing a large flock on a big farm is very difficult.
沒有牧羊犬的話，在大型農場管理一大群羊是非常困難的。
Every spring, the sheepdog is kept busy moving ewes and their newborn lambs between fields.
每年春天，牧羊犬都要忙著把母羊和新生的小羊從一個牧場趕到另一個。
- 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
2. a type of dog that belongs to a breed traditionally used for herding or guarding
牧羊品種
經過培育、擅長牧羊的狗品種
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.
The Old English sheepdog has a thick, shaggy coat that needs regular grooming.
Old English Sheepdog 擁有厚實蓬亂的毛髮，需要定期梳理。
Old English sheepdog — breed name used with physical description
Wei adopted a sheepdog from the local animal shelter and named it Buster.
Wei 從當地的動物收容所領養了一隻牧羊犬，取名為 Buster。
adopted from shelter — pet adoption context
Mert's sheepdog has a natural instinct to circle around anything that moves quickly.
Mert 的牧羊犬有一種天生的本能，會繞著任何快速移動的東西打轉。
Sheepdogs are known for their intelligence, high energy, and strong desire to work.
牧羊犬以聰明、精力充沛和強烈的工作欲望而聞名。
Constanza chose a sheepdog because she wanted an active dog that stays loyal.
Constanza 選擇養牧羊犬，因為她想要一隻活潑又忠誠的狗。
- 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.