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).

Thanks everyone. I couldn’t hand on heart say I’m 100% sure he wouldn’t bark but we have been on lots of footpaths that run alongside fields and he’s never barked and as I explained he’s had lots of practice on the farm. We’ll stick with our gut instinct.

No, and I also can’t believe you are even asking.

Yes but slowly on a short lead and if any sheep/lambs start moving we stop and let them move away at their leisure so no panic.

Depends on the dog. Could you control it and I mean walk at a heel all the way home if the lead snapped?

If not then no

Sorry but do none of you live rurally? You literally wouldn’t be able to go anywhere with your dog in some places. We live close to the South Downs way for example, and there are plenty of sheep fields on a major bridleway - clearly dogs WILL be walked in these areas! A well controlled dog on a lead will not terrify sheep.

On a short lead on a public right of way - yes.

Please don’t. Sheep are unbelievably flighty and so so stupid. If your dog for some reason barks or scares them, they are as likely to run into a hedge or fall over or just die. Did I mention how stupid they are?

No

Dogs and farm land don't mix

lazylinguist we have walked in fields With sheep in before but that was on really open countryside when walking up mountains. Areas we know very well and we’ve seen countless dogs. The sheep always run out of your way (if you’ve got a dog or not). Today felt quite different as it was an enclosed field with sheep and lambs in it and I don’t think people walk through very frequently.

yes it’s fine, just on a short lead straight through the field

I’m saying this as you have a pup, an older controlled dog with a known temperament is different

No, your instinct ws right. Just why would you?
They are livestock not a family day out attraction and the farmers livelihood. Sheep can be spooked over the slightest thing and miscarry.
Its not worth the risk to you and your dog either, having your dog cost you ££££ or worse getting shot.

We have sheep and I'm quite happy to walk my dogs through, they are sheep trained and under control, sheep on footpaths generally don't bother with walkers unless they are harassed and chased. Keep your dog on a lead and under control, stick to the path and the sheep will calmly move out of the way. Sheep tend to abort after the stress of being chased, not by someone walking through the field, otherwise we'd never be able to bring them in!

No of course not

Just to add I’m so surprised so many people are saying no!
I’ve grown up in the country side and get why the OP is asking (and it’s great you’re conscientious and checking) but it’s normal to walk through public footpaths with sheep in the fields with dogs on a leash.

Timetospare I wondered how long it would take before I got a reply like that-slightly longer than usual for this board. Yes I’m asking because I’m a responsible dog owner and from the mixed replies I’m getting it seems like a perfectly reasonable question.

Sorry OP, I just read the title and wouldn't have been so short if I'd read the whole OP

SoapIsYourFriend you can jog on with your stupid emoji too.

Thanks everyone who has taken the time to reply thoughtfully. I appreciate the information. We will continue as we are, get some more experience and training behind us and hopefully we’ll be able to enjoy the local countryside in the years to come (outside of lambing season at least).

No!

Some sheep are ok with dogs, but it’s dogs THEY know.

Sheep are prey animals and easily spooked. This can cause them to abort their lambs or even severely hurt and kill themselves trying to get away from dogs aka predators

Yes, on a lead. Of course that’s fine.

Have you ever watched sheep being gathered in? The farmer doesn’t politely ask the pregnant ewes to pop into the trailer to be moved.

SoapIsYourFriend apology accepted, no need to jog on 😄

Big no from me

I’ve never seen a sheep run into a hedge, fall over or die simply on seeing a dog (being chased by them, yes)! They’re stupid but not quite that bad.😃

I’ve never seen a sheep run into a hedge, fall over or die simply on seeing a dog (being chased by them, yes)! They’re stupid but not quite that bad.😃

This ^ 🤣🤣🤣