Some people adopt a dog as a pet, while others choose one to get their work done. A dog can be a perfect companion, herder, and even a therapy dog at once. But again, not ALL pups.
Herding dogs are strong and muscular ones with heading and heeling skills. They protect livestock from bears, wolves, and bobcats with aggressive eye contact and girgling sounds.
We have to admit that these cattle dog breeds reduce our workload and keep the flock in direction even when we are away. They don’t hunt your sheep, ducks, goats, or rabbits at all and consider them a part of their family.
So yeah, they are gems actually.
All herding dogs are unmatched when it comes to guarding livestock, but they differ in their temperament, protective instincts, and grooming needs.
One may have a high exercise requirement, and others may not tolerate extremely hot and cold environments. So choose a farm dog breed that meets your lifestyle and livestock requirements.
We have listed the top 9 dog breeds that aid farmers in daily life, and also like to have a consistent job. Read the details to find your stock dog that does the whole work while you rest.
Top Dog Breeds That Master Herding and Aid Farmers Daily
1. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd is one of the smart, loyal, and highly energetic dog breeds. They were originally bred as working dogs near Pyrenese mountains, where Bosques shepherds noticed them. They named these dogs Pyrenean Shepherd, but people started calling them Aussie later.
Aussie is a top herding dog with beauty and brains, though it is not a native Australian breed. They have sharp eyes and a lengthy double coat that attracts many pet parents.
These guarding dogs have a high prey drive due to their herding history, so they chase moving objects, vehicles, and predators. You can burn off their excess energy by playing fetch and tug of war games with them.
Honestly, they love their owners but are wary of strangers. They require a lot of training and early socialization to behave well around children and be a guardian dog.
Australian Shepherd sheds a lot and requires daily brushing and baths every 4 weeks. So this dog is not for someone too busy or not ready to take care.
2. Border Collie
Border Collie is the fastest dog breed with 30MPH and the smartest dog breed. Their agility and innate herding instincts make them perfect farm dogs. Collies, which translate as “sheepdog,” are also wonderful family pets, but they demand a lot of attention.
This working dog breed is highly energetic and requires mental stimulation, as noted by Orvis. They like to have a job all the time, and if there is not any, they become “self-employed.
Collie chases the moving animals and tries to keep themselves busy. Honestly, they show their destructive behaviour like chewing furniture, making noises, and nipping when left locked.
But proper training and early socialization help to cope with this behavioral issue. Collie is good for herding cattle, but also the best companions for hiking and camping.
They can withstand the cold weather due to their thick double coat, but often experience heatstroke in hot climates. The snow clumping is common in the curly fur of Border Collie which is important to take off, and it is quite a task.
3. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is an athletic and muscular dog breed. This working dog is known as “Blue Heelers” and “Red Heelers” because they nip on the feet of livestock to guide them.
ACD was bred when Annglo-Australians was in need of a dog that could survive the cold climate of the western grasslands in the 1800s. Then Harry and Jack crossbred the Dalmatians and Elliote’s ACD to produce the dog with strong herding skills that we see today.
Australian Cattle Dog is the best farm dog breed due to their strength and loyal nature. They require at least 2 hours of exercise daily for mental stimulation and to maintian healthy weight. So ACD is not a good choice for someone who lives in an apartment.
Honestly, ACD is not a low-maintenance dog because of their double coat and high energy levels.
They are protective toward their owners, but you might be disappointed to see that ACD is not a cuddle companion. They like to focus on work, so make sure to keep them busy with work or other dogs.
4. Shetland Sheepdog
A Shetland sheepdog is a highly intelligent, active, and bright small dog breed. These little pups are also known as “Sheltie” and many people adopt them as family pets.
They were originally bred for herding sheep and ducks for the farmers of Shetland Island in Scotland. Don’t get fooled by their small stature because they tend to bark a lot. So yeah, it’s more in a little pack.
Shelties are independent and like to chase moving objects due to their herding history. “They can work all day and do not need supervision,” Susan Greene Bintliff shared with the AKC.
These working dogs are all good but have long fur that requires grooming every 8 weeks and daily brushing. Yes, their sensitive nature toward family members attracts many apartment owners, but make sure to meet their high exercise demands.
5. Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is not entirely “English” because it also has blood of Scottish and Russian breeds. Apart from this, OES used to herd both sheep and cattle back in Germany.
This large dog is highly intelligent, adaptable, and affectionate. Honestly, it looks cute due to the long fur that covers its face, but this coat is also a hesitation for many owners.
They are truly jolly and fun loving comapnsions as they look, and that’s why they are becoming a part of many households. Old English Sheepdog barks excessively when predators approach the flock, which is beneficial for livestock farmers.
OES is a large breed, and excessive weight gain creates trouble for them in moving, so keep a check. They are easy to train due to their eager-to-please nature, and positive reinforcement also works.
6. Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Sheepdogs (Groenendael) are intelligent and watchful dogs with innate guarding and herding instincts. They have a history of serving as service, watch, and message dogs for both world wars.
These working dogs are also used for search and resuce mission by police, as per PetMD. These medium-sized pups learn very quickly, so you can tell why they have such a history.
The Belgian Sheepdog is energetic but also loves to be a couch potato with you. They crave love and make strong bonds with children, so make sure to train them not to herd your kid or other pets.
You can take them for jogging, hiking, and camping as they don’t mind and love outdoor adventures. But they shed a lot especialy during the shedding period, and require daily brushing to remove dead hairs.
7. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi, also known as Corgi, is a smart and playful herding dog breed. This working dog breed has a long body and very agile (short) legs.
They were bred for herding cattle and sheep, but soon became pets due to their affectionate nature. They have a royal history as Queen Elizabeth had two Corgis, and they love to be around their owners and please everyone.
Corgi is easy to train when socialized at an early age with livestock and farm life. Their small size makes them perfect for apartments, but they require physical activity for mental stimulation.
They start to chew and dig, so play treibball and take them for walks to change this destructive behaviour.
8. Bearded Collie
This medium-sized dog breed is also called “Highland Collie” and “Mountain Collie”. You can clearly tell why they are named bearded by looking at their furry beard and mustache.
We cannot deny their cuteness as they have worked as show dogs, but they are actually a herding dog breed.
They are naturally curious and require regular exercise for mental stimulation. Honestly, they get distracted very easily, so positive reinforcement is the only solution.
They are friendly with kids, but supervision is important if Collie is not trained yet. They are high-maintenance dogs and require brushing daily, so be ready if you are planning to get a bearded dog.
9. German Shepherd
A German Shepherd is an all-in-one dog that can herd livestock, be a perfect comapnion and also a service dog. They are super smart, active, intelligent, and one of the most popular dog breeds in the US.
German Shepherds require training in the early days, so you can use treats and rewards to engage them. These dogs are very affectionate and friendly with children, especially when they have nothing to herd.
These are highly loyal companions and don’t trust strangers at first. They are highly alert and sense predators miles away due to their protective instincts.
Honestly, they do shed a lot during spring and fall, like many other long-haired dogs, so regular grooming is a MUST.
Conclusion
We cannot deny the fact that herding dogs actually reduce the workload and protect flocks. The above-mentioned dog breeds are all muscular and agile to keep the herd in direction.
But a dog breed only makes a part of the dog’s behavior, while the majority of it depends on its training, food, and active environment.
So you can train a herding dog to be a pet or a perfect property guard. Make sure to teach them “heading” to turn and “heeling” skills to push the herd forward.
