Unlike most other herding breeds, who are clad in long, unruly fur, Anatolian Shepherds have relatively short hair when compared with other shepherd breeds. There are two types of Bohemian Shepherds, rough-faced and smooth-faced. Even so, they love their jobs and have the instincts to make them a top-tier sheepherding dog breed. Even if the shepherd dog has never seen a livestock in his or her life, you may still notice these instincts in day to day life. But unlike the other two dogs, the Belgian Shepherd sports a signature solid black coat. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We'll cover 11 great types of shepherd dogs here! Highlights: Intelligent, Versatile, Agile. This by far the most common of all types of German Shepherd. Disclaimer; Affiliate Disclosure; Search for: Menu. Their name isn’t as accurate as it should. The Briard is a shepherd breed that packs all the top qualities of a family dog into a large fluffy dog. Fortunately, the versatility and skills of these dogs made their transition in society smooth. They were truly France’s most versatile farm dogs. According to folklore legend, they were once the working dogs of fairies. They are quick learners and as a result, very obedient dogs. However, a GSD should be happy playing endless games of fetch in the backyard with your older kids. Shady is 2 years old in this photo, has an aggression problem toward other dogs, but loves rubbing on me an slepping under the sheets with me. The reality is, many shepherds were also tasked with guarding and raising. Skip to content. Highlights: Active, Intelligent, Hard-working.

They are very energetic dogs, however, who are willing to work long hours while tending their charges. Belgian Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs with a strong eagerness to work and please. In fact, it was so confusing that the breed standard changed so that Dutch Shepherds would only be brindle, thus making it easier to distinguish. These shepherds were bred for the unique farming conditions of the country. Small to medium-sized dogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are packed with personality, and they usually make quick friends with everyone they meet. Highlights: Energetic, Loving, Protective. TheSmartCanine.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Believe it or not, the Belgian Malinois is often described as a smaller “super-charged” German Shepherd. Highlights: Faithful, Energetic, Obedient. They descend from their more well-known German counterparts, but, thanks to the work of the breeders who developed these dogs, they’re larger and better-suited for cold temperatures.

Check out the video from ViralBe below! They took with them their dogs, which were described as small spitz-type herding dogs. They’re easy to train and highly devoted to work, thus making them attractive shepherds. What makes them unique is their ability to protect and herd, as intended by the French farmers of the past. More specifically, we’ll be looking at shepherd dogs. It’s an important factor because that particular region of the UK was freezing cold. Hence, the name. As such, the lands were filled with sheep. In fact, they’re known to be highly affectionate and bright. Beaucerons are not the most obvious sheep-herding dogs that first comes to mind. Typically, shepherd breeds are best-suited for families that have large, fenced yards in which the dogs can burn off plenty of energy and bark to their heart’s content. They’re outgoing dogs and thrive on human interaction. Shiloh Shepherd: Are Shilohs the Ultimate Family Dog? Highlights: Adaptable, Docile, Intelligent. Throughout many generations, the Caucasian has made its way all over Eastern Europe – to Iran, Armenia, Turkey and more. But while all shepherd dogs are herding breeds, not all herding breeds are shepherd dogs. Though they first got their start as flock guardians, they eventually evolved into herding dogs that did multiple jobs on the farm. Also known as the “Dog of the Vikings,” Icelandic Sheepdogs are thought to have been originally developed by the marauding mariners in the late 9th or early 10th century. Rough Collies are much like their many collie cousins, that is, they’re a superior shepherd dog breed. They have long been praised for their intelligence, work ethic, and alert personality. Put them on a farm and their ingrained herding instincts will kick in. To top things off, the shepherd has extremely good hearing and sight. Their lively temperaments made them excellent at pushing sheep. Both varieties are lean and agile, which serves them well when tending sheep and other livestock. This is why they’re mistakenly called Australian Shepherds today. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Interestingly, they’re the only breed in the world to hail from Iceland. Still, these dogs tend to share many similar qualities. In the past, nearly all domesticated dogs were bred for a purpose in society. Likewise, some sheepdogs also did some herding. Their energy can be a bit contagious, thus making them ideal pets for active owners. Nevertheless, you can expect a trainable and obedient dog that loves to communicate with humans. In the home, they would protect the kids too! These are the best in no particular order. And while they can be a little protective of the pack, know that it’s solely because of their love for the family. For example, it’s not uncommon for herding dogs to nip at the heels of small kids or adults. Plus, the high intelligence meant they were relatively easy to manage and train. By the 1900s, the rise of industrialization took away most of the farm lands. Local Californian ranchers eventually bred the Basque’s dogs into the modern Aussie. All of which, served a crucial role in nurturing the modern human-dog relationship. The loyalty of these dogs are high and they’ll bravely protect all the members of the pack, including other dogs or pets.

The first ancestors of these shepherd dogs were called Smithfields. Just be sure that you are prepared to provide them with plenty of exercise, and you’ll likely find that they make great family companions. The Shiloh Shepherd combines the best of herding and sled-pulling. display: none !important; Though, many believe they have other European roots. The Border Collies are certified workaholics. The Material contained herein may not be reproduced without the prior written approval of the author. Height: 20 to 22 inches (at the shoulders), Ideal Activities for the Breed: Herding, agility, tracking. In fact, they’re still used to guard livestock, as well as people and property in the modern world. In fact, they were brilliant multi-purpose farm dogs in China. Shetlands are very much like their cousins, the Rough-coated Collie. That’s right, Pembroke Corgis would pull fairies into battle fields, among other things. Instead, Beaucerons were silent herders. But thanks to their long history of excellence in herding, they will need plenty of mental and physical stimulation. The dog’s cheerful vibe and energy will certainly bring a smile to your face. Types of shepherd dogs, which are variations of, similar to and/or often confused with the German Shepherd Dog. The evolution of the Laekenois job didn’t stop there. For example, they’re actually not that old. We don’t recommend the Border Collie for everyone. Though the Bohemians have been known to succeed with agility, tracking, search & rescue, therapy and so much more. They may also have too much energy for small children. One cannot deny the Dutch Shepherd’s eerie resemblance to America’s favorite shepherd, the GSD.

They require an unreal amount of mental and physical stimulation. But as long as this is kept in check, Borders can make great family dogs.