Herding dog Totally Explained

Everything about Herding Dogs totally explained

A herding dog is a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to a breed developed for herding. In Australia and New Zealand they're known as working dogs irrespective of their breeding. Some herding breeds work well with any kinds of animals; others have been bred for generations to work with specific kinds of animals and have developed physical characteristics or styles of working that enhance their ability to handle these animals. Commonly mustered animals include cattle, sheep, goats and reindeer, although it isn't unusual for poultry to be handled by dogs.
The term "herding dog" is sometimes erroneously used to describe livestock guardian dogs, whose primary function is to guard flocks from predation and theft. Herding dogs don't guard flocks but move them.
In general terms when categorizing dog breeds, herding dogs are considered a subcategory of working dogs, but for conformation shows they usually form a separate group.

Herding behavior

Dogs can herd other animals in a variety of ways. Some breeds, such as the Australian Cattle Dog, typically nip at the animals' heels (for this reason they're called heelers). Others, notably the Border Collie, get in front of the animals and use what is called strong eye to stare down the animals; they're known as headers. The Koolie has been observed to use both these methods and also to jump on the backs of their charges. Koolies are therefore said to head, heel, and back. Other types such as the Welsh Sheepdog and English Shepherd are loose eyed, working more independently. The Australian Kelpie is an adaptable breed that can find, hold and drive various livestock. Some strains of this breed perform better with cattle than others.
All herding behavior is modified predatory behavior.
Most herding breeds have physical characteristics that help them with their work, including speed and endurance. Shorter breeds, such as Welsh Corgis, were bred so that they'd be out of the way when cattle, their primary charges, kicked at them.

Basic herding dog commands

Come-bye - go to the left of the stock, or clockwise around them.
Away - go to the right of the stock, or anticlockwise around them.
Stand, wait, down or sit - stop.
Cast – gather the stock into a group. Good working dogs will cast over a large area.
Find – search for stock. A good dog will hold the stock until the stockman arrives. Some will bark when the stock have been located.
Hold – keep stock where they are.
Bark, or speak up - bark at stock. Useful when more force is needed, and usually essential for working cattle.
Look back - return for a missed animal.
In there - go through a gap.
Walk up - move in closer to the stock.
That'll do - stop working and return to handler.

These commands may be indicated by a hand movement, whistle or voice. There are many other commands that are also used when working stock and in general use away from stock.

Herding dogs as pets

Due to their intelligence and beauty, herding dogs are often chosen as family pets. These dogs have been bred as working dogs and must be kept active. They retain their herding instincts and may sometimes nip at people's heels or bump them in an effort to 'herd' their family, and need to be trained not to do so. Often such dogs are regarded as dangerous. Their activity level and intelligence makes them excellent canine athletes.

Breed list

Herding breeds include the following:

Aidi

Akbash Dog

Alpine Shepherd

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Kelpie

Australian Koolie

Australian Shepherd

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael, Laekenois, Tervueren, and Malinois)

Briard

Catahoula Leopard Dog

Catalan Sheepdog

Central Asia Shepherd Dog

Collie breeds (see specific breed)

Croatian Sheepdog

Cur (Blackmouth Cur, etc)

Dutch Shepherd

English Shepherd

East European Shepherd

Entlebucher Sennenhund

Farm Collie/Farm Shepherd

German Coolie

German Shepherd Dog

Giant Schnauzer

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

McNab

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Mudi

Newfoundland

Norwegian Buhund

Old English Sheepdog

Old German Shepherd/Altdeutscher Schaeferhund

Ovelheiro Gaucho

Patagonian Sheepdog

Picardy Shepherd

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Polish Tatra Sheepdog

Puli

Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog

Samoyed

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

Welsh Corgis:

White Swiss ShepherdFurther Information

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