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sheepdog

American  
[sheep-dawg, -dog] / ˈʃipˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /
Or sheep dog

noun

  1. a dog trained to herd and guard sheep.


sheepdog British  
/ ˈʃiːpˌdɒɡ /

noun

  1. Also called: shepherd dog.  a dog used for herding sheep See Border collie

  2. any of various breeds of dog reared originally for herding sheep See Old English sheepdog Shetland sheepdog

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sheepdog

First recorded in 1765–75; sheep + dog

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sheepdog Bowie, a collie and Australian Kelpie mix, has been farmer Thomas Conway's right-hand dog on his cattle and sheep farm in Park, County Londonderry, for the last four years.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

Sheepdog Mugs would track home enough of the beach to fill a small sandbox.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 27, 2021

The livestream captured Fitzgerald outside the Tower Theatre wearing clothing identifying himself as "Sheepdog" with a group called "Sons of ‘76."

From Fox News • Mar. 16, 2021

Paul Irwin, the founder of Sheepdog Bloodhound, a watchdog group that polices apps for predatory behavior aimed at kids, said the problem with the random chat apps is that the interactions start as private.

From Washington Post • Nov. 22, 2019

Does anyone know the terms of a 'Kirkaldie Association's Preliminaries,' for 'Working Sheepdog Trials?'

From Lad: A Dog by Terhune, Albert Payson

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