Different species of dogs are used in herding flocks of sheep. Without using dogs, raising the woolly animals would often be impossible. These dogs are generally all called “sheep dogs” regardless of what species they are.
Years ago in many pasturelands of America located close to mountains or forests, a serious problem developed with coyotes killing great numbers of lambs and sheep. Rarely could the sheep dogs they used then stop the coyotes for fear of their own lives, and owners and shepherds didn’t know what to do about it.
In searching for an answer, they heard that in parts of Europe where wolves were killing sheep, the problem had been solved by using “guard dogs” that could live right with the flocks and protect them. In the country of Yugoslavia, flocks of sheep were accompanied by dogs that looked almost like the sheep themselves, both in size and the color of their fur. More searching found the same answer in other parts of Europe, although the dogs were not all the same kind.
Some of the dogs were brought to America and put in with flocks of troubled sheep. It was soon observed that these European dogs did not behave like the usual American sheep dogs. They were very friendly with their woolly companions, walked and slept among them, and worked their way through the flocks without frightening them or causing them to run off.
At nighttime the coyotes learned something too. These dogs were not afraid of them but chased them away and even killed them if they got in a fight. The owners and shepherds happily discovered that their loss of sheep to coyotes was greatly reduced. Ever since then guard dogs have been used in large numbers wherever there are coyotes.
It is interesting how friendly these dogs are with the sheep. This is due partly to the fact that from the time they are puppies they live with the sheep, look very much like the sheep, and grow up apparently thinking they are all one family. They lie down together and rub against each other in a friendly way, and the dogs will even lick the sheep on the mouth, just like a kiss.
This is another example of the wonders of God’s creation. The dogs’ protective ways over the sheep remind us of the Bible’s warnings to us about Satan. He is likened to a wolf who is seeking to catch sheep (people) and harm them.
But the Lord Jesus Himself assures us, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:27-2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28)). Do you know Jesus as your Good Shepherd?
ML-01/02/2005
JANUARY 2, 2005