Dog Tips Secret: Herding Dog Breeds

Berger Picard: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Berger Picard

The Berger Picard (pronounced bare ZHAY pee CAR), also known as the Picardy Shepherd, is a rare French sheepdog. The Berger Picard has a medium-length, tousled, rustic-looking coat and large, triangular, upright ears. The Berger Picard is tall, sturdy and muscular, but never bulky. The bouncy Berger Picard exudes joy and seems to smile; the shaggy beard and eyebrows only add to its charming appearance. This breed has an impish, almost humorous way about him.

The Berger Picard is confident, even tempered, protective and affectionate with its family. This herding breed is extremely athletic and needs copious amounts of exercise, making them excellent companions for active, outdoor adventurers. Without enough exercise and mental stimulation, the Berger Picard may become destructive as it attempts to burn off excess energy and alleviate boredom. The Berger Picard gets along great with respectively children and can usually coexist peacefully with most other dogs, but cats and other small, furry creatures are off limits due to the breeds high prey drive (instinct to chase).

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi—the Corgi with a tail—is lesser known than its cousin, the tailless Pembroke Welsh Corgi, but the breed is worth getting to know. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is utterly devoted to his human family and full of fun antics. This adaptable breed is a ready and able to do anything you want to do—just as long as you’re together.

The breed may be reserved with strangers at first, but given ample time will usually warm up to new friends and share some of the abundant love they shower on their family. They are naturally watchful, which can make them wonderful watch dogs, alerting to any sign of trouble with a quick bark. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi gets along great with other animals, from dogs to cats to horses to farm animals. They love children who are part of the family, and naturally look after them as part of the “flock.”

Finnish Lapphund

A “weatherproof” breed, the Finnish Lapphund is a tough and sturdy dog hailing from north of the Arctic Circle. Though traditionally used for herding reindeer, the Finnish Laphund is a compassionate, friendly breed that makes a devoted and loving family companion.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Often referred to as the "Laughing Dog," the Entlebucher Mountain dog belongs to the Sennehund family, a group of four herding breeds that hail from the Swiss Alps. Of the four breeds—which also includes the Bernese Mountain dog, the Appenzeller, and the Greater Swiss Mountain dog—the Entlebucher (or Entle) is the smallest.

Despite their smaller size, these herding dogs are extremely tough, sturdy, and energetic, making them a good pick for active families with older kids. Because Entles were bred as herding dogs, they're very protective of their people. Although they're loyal and loving to their families, Entles can be wary of or even aggressive towards strangers. Entles can also be aggressive towards other dogs, so it's important to begin socializing your Entle with strangers and other animals as early as possible.

It's important to note that Entles might not be the ideal dog for everyone. They require several hours of exercise each day; they can be stubborn, making training a challenge; and they're highly intelligent, so they can become bored—and rambunctious—easily. Because they need a lot of exercise—and space to run around—Entles are not recommended for people living in very small spaces or apartments.

Lancashire Heeler

The Lancashire Heeler is a feisty little dog that is full of character. This relatively rare breed from the United Kingdom is the smallest of all the herding dogs. They are known for being versatile and affectionate with their owners, but they can be less so with strangers or other dogs.

Appenzeller Sennenhund

Straight from the Swiss Alps comes the agile and versatile Appenzeller sennenhund. This medium-sized breed may look like a smaller and more compact Bernese mountain dog—which is also part of the sennenhund family, but this breed has characteristics all its own. Today the Appenzeller sennenhund is a relatively rare breed in North America but is more commonly found in Switzerland and greater Europe.

To better understand the Appenzeller Sennenhund, it helps to first understand the breed’s name. The term ‘Senn’ is a Swiss reference to herders, while Appenzell is a region in Switzerland. So sennenhunds are a group of dog breeds that were used extensively by Swiss herdsman. Due to regional differences, four separate breed entities arose under the term of sennenhund. The Appenzeller sennenhund comes from the Appenzell region of Switzerland and was used for herding animals, guarding farm property, and pulling carts.

Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan malamute may look like a wolf, but this large-breed Spitz is a loyal and hardworking dog prized for its strength and heart. Originally bred for such diverse tasks as hunting polar bears or pulling heavy sledges, the malamute is today a popular dog breed with families and active individuals.

It’s a common misnomer that Alaskan malamutes are the result of a wolf-dog hybrid breeding. While the breed we recognize today may have wolf ancestry, these dogs have been domestically bred and kept in the North American tundra for centuries. And despite their immense size and stature, they’re friendly and people-oriented—making them good family dogs, but poor guard dogs.

Swedish Vallhund

The Swedish Vallhund is a medium-sized, robust herding dog that hails from Scandinavia. The Swedish Vallhund’s short stature makes it an excellent cattle herder, as it is just the right size to nip at the heels of livestock to move them along, as well as balanced and agile enough to avoid kicking hooves.

At first glance, the Swedish Vallhund might seem small with its short legs, but it has the body of a larger dog that's sturdy, muscular, and substantial. Swedish Vallhunds have one of three types of tails: a natural bobtail (no tail), a stub tail, or a long, full tail. The sable coat is comprised of two types of hair, a medium-length, harsh-textured outer coat, and a softer, dense undercoat. The hair on the head and on the lower legs is shorter; the coat is slightly longer on the neck, chest, and back of the thighs.

Swedish Vallhunds are friendly, fearless, engaging companions with energy to spare. They are happiest when they have a job to do, whether that is herding or working on a farm, competing in a performance sport, or accompanying you everywhere you go. Swedish Vallhunds generally get along well with people, including gentle and respectful kids, as well as most other pets. Many Swedish Vallhunds have a tendency to “herd” family pets and kids with nips and nudges, so training to discourage this behavior is recommended. Swedish Vallhunds are known barkers, which makes them excellent watchdogs, but excessive barking might be problematic in urban settings.

Pyrenean Shepherd

Pyrenean Shepherds are cute dogs with shaggy faces and a longstanding history that might surprise you. While they’re far from being the most popular of today’s purebreds (according to the American Kennel Club, Pyrenean Shepherd breed popularity ranks at just 181 out of 193 breeds), these intelligent, curious dogs have a whole lot to bring to the table.

Also referred to as Pyr Sheps, Pyrenean Shepherds are herding dogs at heart, having been bred from the ancient line of dogs known widely as Pyrenees. They’re not quite as big and fluffy as Great Pyrenees, another breed from the same line, but Pyr Sheps do share some common traits, including an affinity for family and affection. Unlike Great Pyrenees, however, Pyrenean Shepherds love to go fast, and tend to excel in agility sports.

Canaan Dog

The Canaan dog is a primitive breed developed from ancient pariah dogs (wild dogs). If you like the look of wild canines, you will love the Canaan dog’s natural appearance—“designed by nature,” as the Canaan Dog Club of America eloquently puts it. The Canaan dog's square, balanced, medium-sized body moves with athletic grace.

Canaan dogs are naturally clean and take to housetraining quickly, making them wonderful house dogs. Although Canaan dogs are devoted and affectionate with their own families, they are generally reserved with strangers. In addition to being wary with people they don’t know, Canaan dogs are naturally alert, territorial, and vocal. Combined, these traits make the Canaan dog an exceptional watchdog and guardian.

Old English Sheepdog

Whether you need a working farm dog or a cuddly family pet, you’ll be happy with an Old English Sheepdog by your side. At the dog park, Old English Sheepdogs always steal the show thanks to their adorably messy hairdos. Their bubbly personalities only make them cuter.

Underneath their shaggy, fluffy coat, these dogs are all muscle. Old English Sheepdogs emerged from early types of herding dogs in England, where they historically helped farmers drive cattle and sheep to market.

Old English Sheepdogs are the original “shaggy dog.” They are adorable, playful, sociable, and obedient. As with any pet, Sheepdogs require an attentive and responsible owner who will give them the love that they need to thrive.

Hailing from Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands, the Shetland Sheepdog is a small active, and incredibly obedient and agile herding dog. Also known as the “Sheltie,” these dogs look strikingly similar to their larger cousins, the Collie. Despite their smaller stature, the Shetland Sheepdog is a hardy breed that has adapted over time to thrive within the harsh conditions of its native islands.

The Norwegian Buhund is a hardy, medium-sized, Nordic spitz breed that hails from Scandinavia. “Spitz” breeds, also called Northern breeds, are a type of dog indigenous to mostly cold and snowy regions. Like most spitz breeds, Norwegian Buhunds have thick double coats, wedged-shaped heads, upright triangular ears, and long tails that curl up and over the back. They come in two colors: wheaten (a wide range of tan hues) and black.

Although King Shepherds aren't officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, their massive size makes them standout among their close relatives: Shepherds and herding dogs. As their name implies, King Shepherds are giant shepherd hybrids, resulting from the cross-breeding of German Shepherds and Shiloh Shepherds.

The Icelandic sheepdog is the only known breed that originated in Iceland. This breed is distinguished by its prick ears and curled tail. This hardy, athletic, and intelligent breed was developed to herd livestock in the mountainous regions of Iceland.

The Belgian Sheepdog is the epitome of a hard-working herding dog. Highly trainable and extremely intelligent, it’s a breed that has been designed for hard work—but yet they have a sensitive, gentle temperament that craves human companionship, making them ideal family dogs.

A strong-willed, elegant breed, the Belgian Sheepdog is often referred to as “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” and with good reason. They are exceptionally loyal dogs that tend to be workaholics who aim to please and are ready for any adventure. As such, these eager, athletic dogs will always give their all when participating any sort of activity or sport...or just playing in the backyard with their favorite humans.

Miniature American Shepherd : Dog Breed Profile

The Miniature American Shepherd is a small to medium-sized herding dog. For such a small dog, this breed is known by a long list of names: Miniature American Shepherd, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Mini American and Mini Aussie. Whatever you call it, this breed is loving and charming family companion.

The Miniature American Shepherd is incredible versatile, happy to adapt to whatever lifestyle you live. Today’s Miniature American Shepherd feels equally at home whether herding goats, sheep or cattle on a ranch or farm; hanging in the backyard with the family in the suburbs; or even living in an apartment high-rise in a big city. As long as you provide enough attention, daily exercise and mental stimulation, the Miniature American will thrive and provide you with an endless supply of affection and entertainment.

Friendly and adventurous, the Miniature American is perfectly portable, happy to join you in anything and everything you do, from the kids’ soccer games to camping to beach outings and more. Miniature American Shepherds generally gets along great with kids, especially those who are taught to treat them with respect. Mini Americans are also usually amiable with other family pets, including other dogs, cats and horses, although if not brought up together, some Mini Americans might think it’s fun to chase the family cat. They are excellent watchdogs, although some might take it to the extreme and become problem barkers.

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Berger Picard: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Cardigan Welsh Corgi: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Finnish Lapphund: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Entlebucher Mountain Dog: Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Lancashire Heeler: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Appenzeller Sennenhund: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Alaskan Malamute: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Swedish Vallhund: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Pyrenean Shepherd : Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Canaan Dog: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Old English Sheepdog: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Shetland Sheepdog : Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Norwegian Buhund: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

King Shepherd: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Icelandic Sheepdog: Dog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Belgian Sheepdog Breed Profile | Dog Tips Secret

Miniature American Shepherd : Dog Breed Profile