The shepherd and his dogs care for sheep on the fells. Traditionally in the Dales the breeds would be Swaledale, Dalesbred or Roughs.

These are hardy breeds of sheep that can live and thrive on high fells, often over a thousand feet up. Shepherds would cover acres on foot, but today might be seen on a four or two-wheeled motorbike.

The sheep are gathered in from the fell at lambing time, shearing time, before tupping time and if heavy snow is expected. They will be on the fell all year with feed supplemented in the worst of the winter. Different farmers have rights or "gates" for sheep on fells. Farmers identify their sheep by marking them.