Would you take your dog into a field with sheep and lambs in?

[Circletime27]

We have some lovely countryside accessible from our home, all with public rights of way through them. However, the fields now have sheep and lambs in. We’re new to dog ownership (pup is 7 months old). Our friends frequently walk their dog (on lead of course) through these fields. Our puppy is good around livestock ie.he won’t bark at them. We walked through 2 of the fields today as they were empty. We got to the 3rd field which had sheep and lambs in and I couldn’t bring myself to go in there, it didn’t feel right so we came home. I don’t know if we’re being silly or not. Our pup is from a farm and I know his mum and brother are always in the fields with the sheep (that’s where our pup has had his experience with livestock from as we take him back their to play).

No

No.

On a short lead it's fine but only if they do not bark

No-the sheep will be scared and defensive regardless of how well under control your dog is.

No and not on a lead either frightened sheep miscarry and often die of complications.

No I wouldn’t chance it.

Only on a short lead.

No No No.

(We have always done so on public footpaths, sheep are used to dogs on leads)

Only if you want it shot..

Lead or no lead. No absolutely not.

I'm not sure how many times it needs reiterating to dog walkers to keep thier dogs away from livestock.

Agree with Haggis, your presence, and that of the dog will be enough to worry them.

No not even on a lead

No if your dog in any way upsets (worries) the livestock you are liable for any loss and a hefty fine

No.

Only if the dog is on a lead and walk directly through it to the the other side.

On a short lead if previously well tested.

If you have a friend with sheep try to arrange a controlled introduction so the dog can learn to ignore them.

I take our puppy into the poultry every day and it is amazing how quickly they learn to ignore temptation. I wouldn’t use someone else’s livestock though without their permission and a good idea what they drink in case it goes wrong.

No! Please please don't.

Even if your dog isn't aggressive the sheep will still be scared and could end up dying.

I know someone (very stupid) who failed to control their dogs and (quite rightly) ended on the hook for £15K to pay for the farmer's loss when a number of pregnant sheep were killed.

Your puppy's mother is a trained sheepdog which is entirely different.

Absolutely not, and no one should be doing so, on a lead or not.

No. No. No.

No. What if the lead snapped or the dog pulled the lead out of your hand.

I have known a couple of peoples dogs get lost after the dog has pulled and the owner has tripped and dropped the lead.

Accidents happen to the best of us, even when careful. So no I wont ever take my dog into with sheeps and lambs.

No. I can’t believe you are asking.

I live in sheep country. My dogs don’t chase sheep but I’d still never have them off lead in a sheep field. But I’d happily walk through a field of sheep/lambs with my dogs. Probably wouldn’t if they were going to yap at the sheep, but if they’re not remotely interested in the sheep I would.

No it's not worth the risk

Yes. There are sheep everywhere round here (Cumbria), not just in fenced off farmers' fields but on the estuary and on the fells. We walk our dog past them all the time, as does everybody else, always on a lead and always at a safe distance. Our dog doesn't bark and shows no interest in them whatsoever. The sheep don't bat an eyelid. Neither do the farmers if they see. They would of course if a dog were off lead and causing trouble.