ABSTRACT
Sheep have a long history in their relationships with mankind. They were domesticated approximately 8000 years ago in the Middle East and since have accompanied humans in their migration and colonization of various parts of the world. Their gregarious nature, their ability to develop bonds at an early age and their docility were key factors favouring such a relationship. Sheep are indeed characterized by pronounced sociality and the existence of a strong bond between the mother and her young. In both cases they are terribly distressed if isolated from each other. Therefore, it is not surprising that the first experimental work on behaviour focused on these aspects (Alexander, 1958, 1960; Colias, 1956; Moore and Moore, 1960). And it still is, even though the issues nowadays are different.
