Who is a shepherd or goatherd and what do they do? A shepherd or goatherd specialises in taking care of, and breeding, different types of sheep and goats. Other herdsmen/women may do the same with cattle.
What are the activities of the shepherd or goatherd job? Guiding, watching over, feeding, cleaning and sometimes providing treatment and first aid in minor diseases or wounds to, the animals under his/her care. S/he takes special care that the animals do not get lost, eat poisonous plants or drink polluted water. S/he is in charge of mating the animals and takes care of them during births. S/he takes special care of the young, milks the nursing females, castrates the males, shears the lambs and also slaughters and skins the animals for market. S/he cleans the pens and folds or other housing used for the herd.
Where is it done and under what conditions? Mainly done outdoors. S/he has to take long walks everyday in search of good pastures and water for the animals. S/he can suffer from insect stings and get sun stroke due to the long exposure to the sun.
What tools/equipment do they use? Specially trained dogs to help him/her in the guiding and safeguarding the sheep or goats.
What do you need to succeed? There is no special education required to do this job; however, you must have some practice in caring for animals. You must be watchful to avoid potential risks to the herd. Career development is only possible within industrial farms where you can rise to become foreman/woman or herd manager.