A herding dog breed is a type of dog that has been bred to herd livestock. Some common herding dog breeds include the Border Collie, the Australian Cattle Dog, and the Welsh Corgi. These dogs are known for their intelligence and their ability to instinctively know how to herd animals.
Herding dogs are used on farms and ranches all over the world to help keep livestock in order. These dogs are trained to work with farmers and ranchers, and they play an important role in keeping animals safe and out of danger.
If you’re thinking about getting a herding dog breed, it’s important to do your research and choose a breed that will fit well into your lifestyle. Herding dogs are active and require lots of exercise, so they’re not the right fit for everyone.
But if you have the time and energy to commit to a herding dog, you’ll be rewarded with a loyal and intelligent companion.
List of Herding Dog Breeds
Below is a list of the Herding Dog Breeds recognized by the AKC – American Kennel Club:
Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd, also known as the Aussie, is a medium-sized herding dog breed. Aussies are intelligent and eager to please, so they’re easy to train. They need plenty of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie is a large herding dog breed. They are loyal and affectionate, and they make great family pets. Bearded Collies require a lot of exercise, so they’re not the right fit for everyone.
Belgian Sheepdog
The Belgian Sheepdog is a large herding dog breed. They are intelligent, loyal, and make great family pets. Belgian Sheepdogs require a lot of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is a medium-sized herding dog breed. They are intelligent and hardworking, and they excel at sports and other active activities. Border Collies need a lot of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Bouvier Des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres is a large herding dog breed. They are intelligent, loyal, and make great family pets. Bouviers require a lot of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Canaan
The Canaan Dog is a medium-sized herding dog breed. They are brushers, which means they enjoy herd by pushing them with their body rather than nipping at their heels. This makes them great for working with larger animals such as cattle. Canaan Dogs are intelligent and loyal, and they make great family pets.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is available in a wide variety of colors. However, the most popular and well-known colors are red, sable, brindle, and blue merle. Other colors include black, tan, fawn, and white.
Collie
Collies are a type of herding dog that is known for its intelligence, gentle temperament, and trainability. The breed was made famous by the Lassie movies. They are also one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Collies are bred to herd livestock, but they can also make excellent family pets. They are typically medium-sized dogs with thick coats. Collies are very active dogs and need plenty of exercise, but they are also very gentle and loving. If you are looking for a loyal and loving companion, a Collie may be the perfect dog for you.
Entlebucher
The Entlebucher mountain dog is a breed of dog that is native to the Swiss Alps. They are a medium breed, typically weighing between 25 and 30 pounds. They are considered to be one of the most versatile breeds of dogs, as they are good at both herding and protecting livestock, as well as being excellent companions.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world. They are known for their intelligence, obedience, and strength. They can be used for many different purposes, such as guarding property, herding livestock, or performing search and rescue operations.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small herding dog breed. Originating in Pembrokeshire, Wales, it is one of two breeds known as a Welsh Corgi. The other is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and both descend from the Teckel family.
Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the “Sheltie,” is a breed of herding dog that originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. The breed was originally developed to herd sheep and other livestock, but today they are primarily kept as pets and companions. Shelties are intelligent, quick to learn, and eager to please, which makes them excellent candidates for obedience training and other dog sports. They are also known for their friendly, outgoing personalities and their love of people.
While the Shetland Sheepdog is an excellent companion and family pet, they are still a working breed at heart and need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. A daily walk or run is a good way to meet their exercise needs, and they also enjoy playing fetch and other games.
Shelties are generally good with children and other pets, but like all dogs, they need early socialization to prevent them from becoming fearful or aggressive around new people and animals.
Are Herding Dogs Easy to Train?
Herding dogs are some of the easiest dogs to train. They are intelligent and eager to please, so they learn quickly. Herding dogs require a lot of exercises and mental stimulation, so it’s important to keep them busy and engaged. If you can provide your herding dog with plenty of exercise and stimulation, they will be happy and well-behaved.
Here are some tips for training your herding dog:
- Start with basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Herding dogs are quick learners and will pick up these commands quickly.
- Exercise is important for herding dogs. Be sure to give your dog plenty of opportunities to run and play.
- Herding dogs need to be mentally stimulated, so it’s important to keep them busy with interactive toys and games.
- Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a herding dog. Be sure to give your dog plenty of praise and treats when they do something good.
With proper training and socialization, herding dogs make great family pets.