Did you know that herding dogs were once part of the working group until 1983? Unlike hounds or sporting breeds, herding dogs have a unique instinct: the natural ability to guide, gather, and control the movement of other animals.
Originally bred to manage livestock, these dogs are not only intelligent and focused but also incredibly loyal and eager to please. Their love for having a “job” makes them highly trainable and excellent companions for active families or individuals.
Let’s explore the wonderful world of herding dog breeds: smart, energetic, and joyful pets that thrive when working alongside their humans.
7 Herding Dog Breeds that are Easy to Train
1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
From herding sheep to providing their humans with a loyal and loving companionship, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are versatile canines. They’re athletic in stature and cheerful in nature, which makes them one of the most popular herding dogs.
Welsh Corgi is a dog with strong legs and a deep chest, traits that help this dog endure throughout the day. They love to work closely with their owners due to being sensitive in nature and highly trainable. One of their key traits is being watchful; with proper training, they make amazing watchdogs.
Apart from guarding livestock, Corgis also enjoy playing with their human family members and tend to get along well with family pets.
2. Border Collie
Border Collies are impossible to leave out when we’re talking about the easiest dogs to train that make amazing family dogs. Collies are delightful companions with smiley faces and a gentle nature. With their different types of coat colors, they never fail to make us want to take a minute to just admire them.
These dogs require a fair share of physical and mental stimulation due to being the smartest and most energetic breed. Each individual dog has its own personality, but one thing we can vouch for Border Collies is that they’re geniuses that can be taught a lot of games and tricks.
Collies are hugely motivated by treats and rewards, so keep the treat bag ready. Apart from mental games like quizzes, these fluffy dogs also enjoy playing fetch, agility training, and hide-and-seek.
3. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dogs are as unique as their names; from their different coat colors to their talent for herding, these dogs are truly awe-inspiring.
Originally bred in Louisiana, this dog’s name was inspired by the Catahoula Lake (meaning “sacred lake”). They’re amazing for country living and enjoy big, outdoor spaces to run around and feel close to nature.
These dogs were the companions of Native Americans and helped them navigate the diverse terrains full of forests, bays, and swamps with ease.
They make good-natured family pets, though they’ve been used for driving cattle, bay dogs, and guard dogs. They can be very bad dogs once they’re bored, so make sure they have a lot of mental enrichment opportunities in their environment.
They’re pretty good at learning tricks as smart dogs, so if you want a cute pup that keeps you amused, Catahoulas can be excellent companions for you.
4. German Shepherd
Do you know that one of the first canine movie stars was a German Shepherd? That’s right; let us introduce you to Strongheart, transitioned from a police dog to a movie dog and worked in the silent film The Silent Call (1921).
This is just one example of how good German Shepherds are at getting trained to do stuff. Their name is always mentioned among other herding breeds that are great at being trained. Apart from fabulous herding instincts, German Shepherds are also alert and enduring dogs that love to protect.
These big dogs (up to 26 inches tall and up to 90 pounds heavy) have an imposing and serious look, but they’re loyal pets that bond strongly with their humans. They learn new tricks and games with ease and are also perfect for dog sports like an agility course.
5. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are big dogs with a lot of talents; they’re good family pets, amazing police and therapy dogs, and great at herding livestock. They’re one of the easiest dog breeds to train, especially if early training is started from their young age.
As quick learners, there’s little that you can’t teach these canines. From running agility courses to solving puzzles, these herding dogs can master it all with positive reinforcement. Whether you want a farm dog for off-grid living or a robust companion for taking on hikes, Aussies won’t disappoint.
Australian Shepherds have a diverse history, just like their beautiful, dense, and speckled coats. The American Kennel Club mentions different possible origins. From the wolf-like herding dogs Spaniards brought to the New World, to the sheepdogs farmers in the Midwest and East sent to the West, Aussies have origins that demand a detailed study.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs have a strikingly unique appearance with lush, furred coats, perky ears, and fox-like faces. They’re one of the easiest dogs when it comes to obedience training and agility.
Also called Toy Collies, Little Lassies, and Shelties, these dogs originated from the Shetland Islands (Scotland) in the 1800s.
Shelties are farm dogs with a very alert and enduring personality, and make affectionate pets for families. Perfect for enchanted living in rural areas, they adapt to live anywhere they can get enough play and physical activity.
Shelties are very sociable dogs and can get along amazingly with family members of all ages, as well as other pets in the house. These pups are prone to excessive barking and other destructive behavior if you let them get bored.
7. Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dogs (also called heelers) stand out among the crowd due to their gorgeous thick coat that comes in red merle and blue merle varieties. They’re intelligent herding dogs bred to herd and protect cattle and other livestock.
These untiring farm dogs are built to help their farmer humans during long and hard summer days. They have a reputation for quickly nipping at the heels of livestock to herd them into one place. To control these nipping urges, socialize them from when they’re still little puppies.
As very loyal doggos, they’re great at obedience but also crave a lot of attention from their pet parents. They can be stubborn at times, but react well to reward-based training from an experienced owner. They can be trained to perform spectacular dog sports and enjoy activities like Frisbee, agility, and running.
Conclusion
Life with a dog that’s easy to train and offers you a reliable and affectionate companionship can be beyond rewarding. As a dog owner, keep your end of the bargain and make sure you provide your furball with enough attention, care, and physical and mental stimulation.
If you’re ready to make the move and adopt a new dog, find a rescue center that’s reputable or a breeder known for ethical practices to ensure you find a healthy canine friend.
