It’s the Super Role: Working Dogs of Marin County
By Matt Dolkas,
Senior Manager, Marketing
February 6, 2025
It’s the big day for most American families. Living rooms across the country are stocked with mountains of nacho cheese and hot wings, seven-layer dips awaiting their moment of glory as eager Super Bowl fans gather around the glow of their TVs.
For most folks, this is the athletic and pop-cultural spectacle of the year. But for those of us here at the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (folks just call us MALT), the real athletic heroes never left the field: the working dogs of Marin County ranches.
If you’ve been fortunate enough to visit one of the many MALT-protected ranches, you may have also been lucky enough to have met some of our local working hands, the ones slobbering at your feet. Nothing comes close to the speed, loyalty, and work ethic of these scratch-loving ranch dogs. They’re the all stars of our local ranching operations.
With the world’s attention on the Super Bowl, we thought it was the perfect time to turn the spotlight on our own local legends and the crucial positions they play in Marin’s agricultural landscape. Each breed brings its own special skills to the field, working in harmony with our ranchers to protect and nurture the food and fiber that sustains our community.
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to meet the all-star lineup of Marin County’s working dogs:
Often considered the intellectuals of the dog world, border collies bring an intensity and focus to herding that’s unmatched. Originally bred in the border country between Scotland and England, these dogs can move livestock with their famous “eye” – a piercing stare that commands attention from even the most stubborn sheep. Their ability to read subtle body language and anticipate movement makes them invaluable on Marin’s expansive ranches.
Fun fact: Border collies can understand more than 1,000 words and can recognize objects by name, making them one of the most intellectually sophisticated dog breeds.
Standing guard over their flocks day and night, Great Pyrenees embody the role of protective sentinels. These majestic white dogs were traditionally used in the Pyrenees Mountains of France and Spain to guard sheep from wolves and bears. In Marin, they protect livestock from coyotes, mountain lions, and other predators.
Their distinctive nocturnal barking pattern isn’t just noise – it’s a sophisticated communication system that establishes territorial boundaries and warns off potential threats. Despite their imposing size, these gentle giants are known for their patience and nurturing attitude toward vulnerable lambs and kids.
Originally bred to handle the harsh conditions and stubborn cattle of the Australian outback, these tough, intelligent dogs excel at moving livestock in Marin’s varied terrain. Also known as Blue Heelers, they combine the stamina of a receiver with the quick thinking of a linebacker. Their unique speckled coat isn’t just for show – it helps them blend into dusty conditions and provides protection from the elements.
Fun fact: Australian cattle dog’s remarkable endurance comes from a heritage that includes careful crosses with wild dingoes.
Originating from the McNab Valley in Mendocino County, McNab shepherds represent a local solution to local challenges. Created by Alexander McNab in the late 1800s, these dogs were specifically bred for working California’s terrain and livestock. They combine the herding prowess of Scottish border collies with the adaptability and resilience needed for the state’s diverse landscapes. Unlike some herding breeds that rely on intense eye contact, McNabs are more flexible in their approach, making them particularly effective with both sheep and cattle in Marin’s varied agricultural operations.
In an era where food often travels thousands of miles to reach our plates, these working dogs are one of many keep players who help keep our food system local, sustainable, and deeply rooted in the community. They may not be competing for Super Bowl rings, but every day, they’re winning something more valuable: the preservation of our agricultural lands and the cultivation of real connection between people, animals, and the earth that feeds us.
Help protect the working and natural lands of Marin County.