Sheepdogs on Erin’s Isle

In Ireland, sheep are everywhere except in the biggest cities. You see them on the mountains, alongside the rural roads, even sometimes on the rural roads, taking their time grazing and sauntering. They don’t seem to be bothered by the cars, but pull up near one and ty to take a picture and they sprint away.

And in Ireland the sheep are colorful. Ever wondered why that is?

Some almost look tie-dyed

The real key to sheep is a good sheepdog.

And Joe Joyce knows everything there is to know about training sheepdogs. You see he has both, sheep and sheepdogs. And he knows what goes in to training them to gather the sheep.

“We use a combination of whistles, voice commands and hand signals,” he says. “It’s ll about moving the sheep left and right and bringing them on. The better the dog is, the easier my work.”

Joe is known for his dog training as he trains and sells sheepdogs all over the world.

And in the spring there are always babies around who need holding.

Gail and Betty holding the spring lambs.

As for moving sheep in Ireland, it can be done by boat, truck, herding. In he past they even used th country’s only cable car to move a few at a time.

Dursey Cable Car, Beara Peninsula

Loading sheep on the ferry from Clare Island to Westport.