sheepdog

American  

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

Or sheep dog

noun

1. a dog trained to herd and guard sheep.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of sheepdog

First recorded in 1765–75; sheep + dog

Example Sentences

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

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

Sheepdog Firearms, a Birmingham, Alabama-area gun range, offers police-style training to people looking to protect their churches.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 16, 2019

Intelligent and picturesque, workmanlike and affectionate, the Old English Sheepdog combines, in his shaggy person, the attributes at once of a drover's drudge and of an ideal companion.

From Dogs and All about Them by Leighton, Robert