Meet the Team

A woman in outdoor hiking gear crouches next to a black and white dog on a dirt trail in a forested area, holding a walking stick and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a backpack.

Catriona Maclennan-Dobson.

Founder/Head Shepherd

Having grown up around horses and dogs in the UK, Catriona came to Canada with her husband in 2011. This move was driven by a sense of adventure and the desire to work with livestock professionally. Since arriving here she has worked with animals ranging from bison in Colorado to falconry birds in Fort McMurray, finding her passion for sheep, working border collies and land management in 2018. In 2020 she spent her first summer herding sheep in the forests of Alberta, and has never looked back!

Our Dogs.

Our dogs represent a huge part of our success. They provide us with the ability to manage large flocks of sheep, in unfenced areas and over rough terrain.

A wet black and white dog standing on a fallen log in a grassy area with trees, underneath a rainbow on a cloudy sky.

Tess.

Tess is Catriona’s first dog. She was bought by her as a puppy in 2018. Since then Tess has seen many miles, in many different environments. She is the go to dog to get the job done, no one knows the job better! Creeping up in age, Tess is heading into semi-retirement.

A black and white Border Collie dog standing outdoors on a dirt path with greenery in the background.

Nell.

Nell joined Tess as the second pack member as a puppy in 2021. Full of energy and intensity, her drive to work is unmatched. Having suffered an injury in 2023, and subsequent surgery, she has been given a lighter workload. She’s probably one of the happiest dogs you’ll ever meet!

Close-up of a dog with black, brown, and white fur, standing among green grass and bushes, under a cloudy sky.

Meg.

Meg is the youngest dog in the High Country Shepherding pack. A Late bloomer she came to us as a puppy in 2022, but showed no inclination to work until a year old. At that point she really switched on, and now is becoming a very talented member of the team. She shows great promise to take over from Tess as Catriona’s main dog.

Gwen.

Gwen joined High Country Shepherding on a contract in Saskatchewan. She’s the only one of the pack not to be raised and trained by Catriona. Bought to help Tess out when Nell was injured and Meg too young to work, Gwen has really become a huge part of the team. She is a powerful dog, the sheep really pay attention to her!

Three dogs lying on rocky ground at sunset with a sky filled with dark and illuminated clouds.

Three border collie dogs sitting on a large hay bale outdoors, with a cloudy sky and distant landscape.

The Guardian Dogs.

Every year we have a team of between 2-4 livestock guardian dogs. These dogs are bonded to the sheep, they are bred specifically to protect the flock from large predators. These guys are BIG weighing in at around 100-130lbs.

A flock of sheep with a large dog among them, in a natural outdoor setting with green bushes and trees in the background.

A flock of sheep grazing on a grassy hillside under a cloudy sky, with some sheep walking along a dirt path in the foreground.

A large herd of sheep and dogs grazing and roaming in a grassy open field with trees and fencing in the background.

Shepherds.

Every year High Country Shepherding hires a number of seasonal shepherds to be out with the flock daily, these guys are tough! Long days of hiking and looking after the sheep. It’s hard work, but very rewarding! Hiring usually starts around November. If you are interested in herding, please reach out via the email in the ‘Contact Us’ section.

Two women sitting on a fallen tree trunk in a forest, smiling at the camera. They are dressed for hiking, with backpacks, hats, and outdoor clothing. One woman has long braided hair and is wearing a wide-brimmed hat, while the other has glasses and a baseball cap. Surrounding them are green foliage and trees under a partly cloudy sky.

A woman surrounded by a large group of sheep, filling a water trough for them.

Four people standing together outside on a cloudy day, dressed in rain jackets and hats, with a rural landscape and sheep behind them.