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Herding
Dogs
German
Shepherd
When humans began to raise sheep and cattle, they needed help
keeping their herds together and driving them to market. Herding
dogs were bred and trained to perform both these tasks.
Some breeds were developed to herd sheep, others specifically
to work cattle, while others herded both or herded other animals.
These strong, active, medium-to-large dogs played a crucial
role in community economies, rounding up strays and keeping
loss of stock to a minimum.
The breeds known as cattle drovers move large animals by nipping
at the backs of their legs and heels, while other breeds herd
by staring down their charges and barking.
Having a herding dog as a pet demands ingenuity and a commitment
to aerobic-level exercise, lest the dog become destructive.
The owner must understand that the dog's instinct to herd
may extend to humans.
However, because these dogs are genetically programmed to
work closely with human shepherds, most of the breeds take
to training quickly. They shine in agility contests, herding
trials, Flyball, and obedience competition. Just keep in mind
that raising a herding dog is like raising a gifted child:
you must always keep one step ahead of her.
The oldest known cattle-herding breeds still active today
are the long, low-slung Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh corgis.
These foxy-faced canines have been driving cattle for more
than a thousand years. Other cattle herders include the giant
schnauzer and the Bouvier des Flandres, now often used as
guard dogs, and the Australian kelpie and Australian cattle
dog, which herded both cattle and sheep.
Among the breeds developed to herd sheep are the Belgian sheepdog,
briard, puli, Polish Owczarek Nizinny, bearded collie, Border
collie, Canaan dog, Old English sheepdog, Shetland sheepdog,
rough- and smooth-coated collies, German shepherd, and the
American-bred Australian shepherd.
Bearded
Collie
Herding
Dogs
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Bearded Collie
Belgian Sheepdog
Border Collie
Bouvier des Flandres
Briard
Canaan Dog
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Collie
German Shepherd
Giant Schnauzer
Herding Dog Mixes
Old English Sheepdog
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Polish Owczarek Nizinny
Puli
Shepherd Mixes
Shetland Sheepdog
 
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