Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs: How They Guard Sheep

by Cat Urbigkit

Like other livestock in the Rocky Mountains, sheep need protection from predators, such as coyotes and wolves. Guardian dogs help ranchers protect their flocks. But they are not the typical herding dogs, and they are not native to the region. The breeds were imported from Europe, where they have been guarding livestock for thousands of years. As puppies, they are placed in fleece and learn to identify with the smell of sheep. It isn't long before they meet their first sheep and mingle with the flock. With little training, the dogs instinctively know that their job is to keep a lookout for danger and now and then do some babysitting.  Cat Urbigkit's engaging photo-essay shows how guardian dogs form a bond with the sheep that lasts throughout the dogs' life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Childrens, Picture Books, Spanish Literature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Cat Urbigkit writes books for both children and adults from a working ranch in western Wyoming. Involved in journalism for more than two decades, Urbigkit focuses on the domestic and wild animals that share the same range in western Wyoming. She is also co-owner and editor of The Shepherd, a national sheep industry magazine, and is a columnist for Cowboy State Daily.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING I WANT: PICTURES OF PYRENEES OF ALL AGES FROLICKING WITH SHEEP.

[kittylou87 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I love this book! As a sheep rancher and someone who uses guard dogs this is amazing!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect example of an interesting and informative nonfiction book. Where were books like this when I was a kid? This book explains how guardian dogs are being used in the US due to protective laws for endangered, but predatory, species. Now that ranchers and farmers cannot poison wolves and coyotes and the like, they use these dogs, originally from European countries, to protect their flocks and herds.

The narrative is short, but still explains a lot about the different animals, and the author's note at the end offers more details on the particular breeds. And the photography is amazing, telling much of the story without words. We really enjoyed reading this book together and I am so thrilled that our girls have access to wonderful nonfiction books like this at our local libraries.

After recently reading the book Runt by Marion Dane Bauer, we discussed the practice of using poison to detract predators from attacking cattle and sheep. This book shows us how that cruel method can be avoided.

[Darius Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the super fluffy guardian dogs. It’s funny that they have a picture that’s pretty much the cover, but it’s flipped around. It is a long book, but worth it.

I kind of wish the list of dogs included a German Shepherd and an Aussie. Aussies and German Shepherds are guardian dogs, but there were no pictures of those kinds of dogs, and they weren’t listed in the words.

I can’t exactly say the author’s name, but to my vision, it seems like Cat-oo-BIG-kit.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the relationship between sheep and the dogs that guard them.

[Sharon Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat’s book gives kids a fun and insightful look at the world of sheep and guardian dogs.

[Zhānlìyàn Liú]

Title: Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs: How they Guard Sheep
Author: Cat Urbigkit
Illustrator:
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Helpfulness, animals, responsibility
Opening line/sentence: In Wyoming, Little Tuck watches over a flock of sheep as it grazes the high sagebrush plains.
Brief Book Summary: This book is about dogs and their roles with herding sheep. It teaches about human pet relationships in terms of work. This book is also very realistic as it uses actual photography.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: The Horn Book- Urbigkit, Cat Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs: How They Guard Sheep
32 pp. Boyds 2005. ISBN 1-59078-317-4
(2) K-3 Through hundreds of years of breeding, guardian dogs have developed the essential characteristics (loyalty, independence, hardiness) they need to protect sheep. Urbigkit seamlessly weaves a multitude of information into the story. Her clear photos capably demonstrate each aspect of the pups' growth, introduction to sheep, and graduation to working dog. An appended author's note describes six of the better-known breeds.
Farm Life/Husbandry/and Gardening; Animals--Dogs; Animals--Sheep
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature - Mandy Cruz
This appealing story about guardian dogs that protect sheep will have the reader smiling from start to end. We learn the origin countries of these dogs: Turkey, Hungary, Italy, and Spain. We discover that these dogs are often a mix of breeds, one of which is the Great Pyrenees. Guardian dogs receive very little training for their job of actually protecting their herd from predators. From the time they are born, they are encouraged to bond with their sheep, first by sleeping with their wool then by socializing, and these activities lead to emotional bonding. From then on, the dog's protective instincts guide them in their job. Guardian dogs become very attached to their sheep and can discern them from other herds, much like dogs that grow attached to their humans. The color photos are enchanting in that they show the soft sides of these dogs as they play with lambs and, as pups, cuddle with the adult sheep. A very early step in the movement to become environmentally aware, these dogs were brought to the United States when poisons were discontinued as a method of controlling predators. Reviewer: Mandy Cruz
Response to Two Professional Reviews: The reviews touched on the loyalty and guardian nature of the dogs. They mentioned the color photos, which were one of my favorite aspects to the book. They also touched on the relationship the dogs in the book have to the sheep.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The book is nonfiction and it teaches readers about herding dogs. The illustrations in this book are all photographs, which adds on to the nonfiction aspect of this book. The font is still large enough to make it an enjoyable and easy read for children.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would use this book to show children how there are different contexts for everything, even dogs. I would make a chart on the board for dogs and ask the students to help me brainstorm everything a dog could do for humans (pertaining to work and outside of work). Then I would tie this lesson into our classroom and teach students how this can be applied to anything else.

[Jenna]

This is a factual book with loads of pictures and it's all about guard dogs and different breeds of them and the things they do to help them become loyal to their herds. i loved this book becuase I love dogs, a child might find it helpful to read this book if they are asked to do a research assignemnt on an animal because it full of good informatoin on guard dogs. The pictures are the most cute thing tho.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fascinating book. The pictures and text are intriguing. My kids were interested the whole way through.

[Kiran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great photographs of working dogs doing what they do best. This would be a great selection for a child who is interested in dogs/animals and would like to learn more about what they do. Very cute.

[CFAITC]

This book explains how guardian dogs and sheep form bonds that last a lifetime.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about guardian dogs and plan to use this book the next time I have to teach a lesson on how Jesus is the Good Shepherd

[Debrarian]

Pretty photos.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fresh and friendly perspective on these important dogs. Thanks, Babel the pig for tarnishing my original opinion! Such a cute and informative book!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so , so adorable.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely photos!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the pictures and the dogs. Met the author at a visit to our school. She is a very nice lady, and the kids enjoyed her presentation too!

[Salsabrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful color photos and accessible text describe the important roles of guardian dogs in protecting sheep. Another wonderful example of the value of dogs!