The Herding dogs also known as many other names, such as stock dog, shepherd dog, working dog, and sheep dog. This herding dog breeding group has some of the most popular breeds of dogs today. Animal husbandry dogs are a favorite of many active pet parents because of their funny nature.
Sometimes people do not adapt these dogs for entertainment purposes, but sometimes they are trained for breeding purposes. They can also keep a herd of animals such as sheep, cattle, and deer. Every dog breed has a unique way of raising livestock. In this guide, you will find a list of herding dogs, which you can adopt at home.
Top 10 Popular Herding Dog Breeds
1. German Shepherd Dog
In the United States, the German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular dogs for companionship. They are loyal, smart, and hard-working herding dogs who enjoy spending time with their families.
The GSDs are large and intelligent and have a strong defense; care must be taken to purchase they from reputable breeders. To prevent excessive protection and aggressive behavior, these herding dogs should be socialized and obediently trained from an early age.
German Shepherd Dog should be with family and in constant contact with the people around them, and under the supervision of other pets. They require enough exercise every day. Otherwise, they become a storm or a high sting. To maintain shedding and keep the coat beautiful, you need to brush them around a few times a week.
Breed Overview
- Height: 22 to 26 inches
- Weight: 50 to 90 pounds
- Life expectancy: 7 to 10 years
- Litter size: 1 to 15 puppies
- Puppy price: $1,500 to $5,000 USD
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2. Australian Shepherd
Despite the name, Australian Shepherd breed originated in the United States, and it is a very popular breeding dog. They excel in a wide variety of dog games, like obedience, animal husbandry, and agility.
Nowadays, Australian Shepherds are still placed in the sorcery on ranches around the world, but they are also among the most popular companion dogs and breeds. They are fast, agile, and have a tone of endurance. If you are fond of dog games, the Australian shepherd offers a lot of fun in the course of agility.
Plan to exercise for at least an hour every day, and that does not mean walking comfortably in the neighborhood. They have plenty of time for training and companionship. Australian shepherds are very dedicated dogs, but they can protect their family and beware of strangers.
Breed Overview
- Height: 18 to 23 inches
- Weight: 40 to 65 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years
- Litter size: 6 to 7 puppies
- Puppy price: $ 1000 to $ 2000 USD
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3. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdog herding dogs are active, intelligent, and love to work with their families. They have a very great personality with a joyful, energetic, and obedient nature. This popular family pet prefers to stay busy, works well in small homes, and is content to sleep alone all day, but still requires exercise.
Shetland Sheepdogs have a wedge-shaped head and small, eye-set ears. These breeds are well known for their sweet and cheerful personalities and have a playful and loving personality. All the traits that make them popular pets.
They are full of strangers. Consequently, these breeds are better watchers and more likely to greet outsiders. While not aggressive, some shelters can be strict on people they do not know, whether adults or children. Shelters can work well in small houses or apartments as long as they are exercised and controlled in a fenced yard.
Breed Overview
- Height: 13 to 16 inches
- Weight: 15 to 25 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
- Litter size: 4 to 6 puppies
- Puppy price: $1,000 to $2,000 USD
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4. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known for his sleek looks and powerful personality. They have short legs, but they make great hiking companions and enjoy many dog games. This breed is considered a chondroscopic dog characterized by slightly bent limbs and prone to back problems.
Colors range from a rich red or fawn to sable with black or white markings. As the dogs of the surrounding farm, they undoubtedly hunt and protect the home as well as livestock. It is more likely to sound the alarm and dig or chew if left alone or not exercised sufficiently.
Breed Overview
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Weight: 22 to 30 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12 to 13 years
- Litter size: 6 to 8 puppies
- Puppy price: $600 to $2,000 USD
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5. Collie
Collie dogs are humble, loyal breeds that behave well with children and other animals as well. Besides this, Collies have a gentle, playful, and friendly temperament. They prefer to shed seasonally. They require daily exercise to stay healthy.
Collies are not harmful to other animals, pets, seniors, and kids, but they bark when it is necessary. It is one of the best herding dogs with various colors, such as fawn, black, blue, grey, and white. Moreover, they need plenty of grooming for better growth. Collie dogs also tolerate wet weather.
Breed Overview
- Height: 22 to 26 inches
- Weight: 50 to 75 pounds
- Life expectancy: 10 to 14 years
- Litter size: 4 to 6 puppies
- Puppy price: $1,200 to $1,500 USD
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6. Australian Cattle Dog
A loyal but independent, loving Australian cattle dog is a perfect match for anyone who shares his or her emotions, intelligence, energy, and activity.
They have oval brown eyes that glow with attention and high-tipped ears; an Australian cattle dog draws all its attention to you. Its back is curved and broad, its snout is short and sharp, and its slightly bushy tail hangs loosely behind it.
Australian Cattle Dogs behave well with both families and animals. Furthermore, they require vigorous exercise every day and have a playful and outgoing temperament. The breeds are easy to train and groom. Interestingly, they tolerate all types of weather, whether it is too hot or too wet.
Breed Overview
- Height: 17 to 20 inches
- Weight: 35 to 50 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years
- Litter size: 1 to 7 puppies
- Puppy price: $ 400 to $ 700 USD
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7. Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois dogs are mainly used in police and military work as well as to compete at the highest levels in many performance dog games. Although they are not recommended for new owners, they are one of the most loving herding dogs and make an amazing companion for a really active family.
Belgian Malinois breed coat is relatively short and straight, with a tight undercoat as strong as it is weather-resistant. Their hair is a little longer around the neck where it forms the collar, and it is on the back of the tail and thighs. Belgian Malinois need experienced owners to treat themselves. They are the native herding dogs of Belgium.
Breed Overview
- Height: 22 to 26 inches.
- Weight: 40 to 80 pounds
- Life expectancy: 14 to 16 years.
- Litter size: 5 to 6 puppies.
- Puppy price: $3,400 to $9,000
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8. The Old English Sheepdog
Old English Sheepdog is one of the most depressed herding dogs. Although they look like giant teddy bears, these breeds love to explore and do exercise every day. However, they are quieter than most breeding breeds and have a more polite demeanor. Especially when they live with young children, they are quite patient and kind with them.
The breeds originated from England and are not a hypoallergenic breed. Old English Sheepdogs have an enjoyable, sociable, loving, and adaptable temperament. They require medium exercise and trainability, as they are easy to train. The dogs are generally excellent at indoor manners, so their playfulness is usually not a problem when it comes time to sit indoors. Prospective Old English sheepdog owners should keep in mind that there is a necessary commitment to regular grooming.
Breed Overview
- Height: 20 to 24 inches
- Weight: 60 to 100 pounds
- Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years.
- Litter size: 5 to 12 puppies.
- Puppy price: $1,200 to $1,500
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9. Puli
The Puli is a unique breed of dog due to the thick strands in its coat. Their fur grows naturally that way but needs plenty of care to maintain it. Despite all the heavy hair, Pulik is a clever dog who is light on his feet. They have the same coat as the commandore, which is an incredibly hard-working breed.
Pulik are smart, hard-working, playful dogs who have a sense of humour and are extremely loyal to their families. Its double coat rarely comes off in black, white, or grey. Puli dogs have an outgoing, playful, and wilful temperament. They do not bark unnecessarily and require a lot of grooming.
Breed Overview
- Height: 16 to 17 inches
- Weight: 25 to 35 pounds
- Life expectancy: 10 to 15 years
- Litter size: around 5 puppies
- Puppy price: $600 to $ 800
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10. Bearded Collie
Bearded Collie look like they may be lazy dogs, but they usually go out a lot and they like to run around and play with humans and children as well. It is a medium-sized animal breed with a strong body, floppy ears, and beard facial hair as a part of its long, shaggy coat. Bearded Collie herding dogs are not hypoallergenic.
They need two to three hours of exercise every day in the form of walking, running, hiking, and so on. A Bearded Collie is generally a healthy dog, but sometimes he also suffers from various health problems, such as allergies, hip dysplasia, and many more. You need to give attention to their diet and nutrition.
Breed Overview
- Height: 20 to 22 inches
- Weight: 45 to 55 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
- Litter size: average 7 puppies
- Puppy price: $ 1500 to $ 2000 USD
ALSO READ: Bearded Collie
If you want to keep these herding dogs at home, then it is necessary to be aware of the breed’s significance, which is discussed in this guide.
Hope, you liked reading the guide. If you think we have missed something or have any suggestion, please drop your valuable opinion in the comment section below.