Sheepdog breeds are highly intelligent and originally bred to herd and protect livestock. These high-energy breeds will keep you on your toes. In addition to herding livestock, these breeds were bred for intelligence and to work closely with humans.
Some of the most popular pet herding breeds are:
The most popular smaller herding dog breeds are:
The American Kennel Club (AKC) currently recognizes 32 breeds of sheepdogs in the Herding group. The AKC organizes dogs into groups based on the tasks a particular breed was originally bred for. Initially part of the Working Dog group, a more specific grouping for herding breeds was created in 1983.
Herding dog behavior
Instinctively, herding dogs are driven to control livestock by herding and protecting them, so these dogs thrive working on farms. Some herding breeds, such as Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, thrive in protection work, such as the Schutzhund, and various police work roles like narcotics detection and corpse searches.
Main characteristics of herding dog breeds:
- high energy
- very clever
- loyal
- athletic
- asset
- protective
- fun to train
- industrious
- very attentive to their managers
Training is a must for sheepdogs, and they will need to go beyond basic obedience skills, especially since they tend to nip as part of their instinctive behaviors. You must work to minimize this tendency from the start. Bored herding dogs can often be a behavioral challenge and may begin to herd children or even adults without solid training and proper outlets for their instinctual drive. Also called herding dogs, they are sensitive to sound and especially movement, so they can hunt wildlife and even cars; therefore, adequate and appropriate training and stimulation and engagement are essential.
Since the needs of sheepdogs are best met by giving them a job, they do best in an active family with time to devote to meeting their mental and physical needs. But even if your working dog doesn’t have a herd to tend to, he can still show genius with mental/physical activities that you can try in your backyard or with a class/group.
The best activities for breeding dog breeds:
The American public has come to love intelligent, family-oriented sheepdogs like Lassie, the Collie, and Rin Tin, the German Shepherd. More recently, we fell in love with Chaser, the Border Collie of behavioral psychologist John W. Pilley, who knew over 1000 words! Today, these intelligent and feisty dogs are part of many families.
Sheepdog breeds make great companions, but they’re not couch potatoes, spa divas, or walking dogs: Sheepdogs require plenty of mental stimulation and physical activity to thrive. emotionally, physically and behaviorally. Herding is in their DNA, so finding a job for your herding dog will keep you both active and happy in the long run.
