Dogs In The Herding Group

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is low to the ground; however they are strong and sturdily built.  Their coat colors range from red, sable, blonde, black, and tan with or without white markings.  The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does not have a tail.  This breed can be traced back to 1107.  The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Old English Sheepdog is readily recognized with its beautiful profuse coat.  Their coat colors range from any shade of gray, grizzle, blue, blue merle, with white markings.  The breed is believed to be descended from the Scotch Bearded Collie and the Russian Owtchar.  The gait of the Old English Sheepdog is quite unique; they resemble a bear shuffling along.  This breed's body type is best described as square.  The Old English Sheepdog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888.

Old English Sheepdog

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Norwegian Buhund is part of the class of dogs referred to as Spitz.  A common feature of Spitz class dogs are prick up-ears and curled tails.   This is an energetic working dog; coat colors range from wheaten, pale cream, bright orange, to black.  The breed is from the coastlands of Norway.  The Norwegian Buhund is an old breed; they traveled with Vikings clear back to 900.  The American Kennel Club recognized the Norwegian Buhund in 2009. 

Norwegian Buhund

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Icelandic Sheepdog is playful, friendly, inquisitive, hardy, and agile.  The Icelandic Sheepdog was brought to Iceland by the Vikings; they helped with herding sheep, cattle, and horses.  This breed is Iceland's only native dog; it is also considered to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs.  The Icelandic Sheepdog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010.

Icelandic Sheepdog

Dogs In The Herding Group

The German Shepherd Dog has consistently been one of the most popular breeds in the United States.  The breed has often assisted law enforcement and the military.  Black and tan are the most common coat colors.  The German Shepherd Dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908.

German Shepherd Dog

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Finnish Lapphund was developed north of the Arctic Circle; the breed has the ability to live and work outside in this very cold environment.  Their coat colors range from black, blonde, brown, and tan; they have a very expressive face often compared to that of a teddy bear.  The Finnish Lapphund was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2011.

Finnish Lapphund

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a native of Switzerland.  The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is one of the four Swiss Mountain Dogs; it is also the smallest of the four.  This breed has been used for a very long time by Swiss farmers to move cows in the Alps from one pasture to another.  This breed is active with a high energy level.  The Entlebucher Mountain Dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2011.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Collie for many of us brings to mind a familiar name and face, "Lassie."  The Collie is large and active; but their appearance shows their elegance and grace.  This breed is loyal and affectionate.  Their lovely coat can be smooth or rough; with colors ranging from sable and white, tricolor, and blue merle and white.  The Collie has been around for centuries in Scotland and England, mainly used as a drover for cattle and sheep.  The Collie was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.

Collie

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Dogs In The Herding Group

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is low set with a deep chest and moderately heavy boned.  This breed is capable of great speed and endurance.  Their coat colors include red, sable, brindle, black, and blue merle; with white markings.  The Cardigan Welsh Corgi would nip at the feet of cattle to move them along; an impressive feat given their size.  The American Kennel Club recognized the Cardigan Welsh Corgi in 1935. 

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Canaan Dog is inquisitive, loyal, and loving with his family.  Their movements show their athletic abilities.  They have two color patterns; white with a mask or solid colored without white.  The Canaan Dog is a native of Israel and dates back to Biblical times.  This breed has been used during war times as mine detectors; proving their superiority to mechanical devices.  The Canaan Dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1997.

Canaan Dog

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Briard is a native of France; known for their power and agility.  They also possess an acute sense of hearing making them an excellent guard dog.  The Briard's long lovely coat can be any color but white.  This breed has a long history in France; tapestries depicting the Briard go back to the 8th Century.  The Briard is an independent thinker; so training will require your patience.  The tail of the Briard has a hook at the end known as a crochet; there are also two dewclaws on their rear feet.  The Briard was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1928. 

Briard

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Bouvier des Flandres is a great farm dog; they are agile, even-tempered and rugged.  This breed's double coat protects them from the elements; coat colors range from fawn to black with salt and pepper areas of gray and brindle.  It is most likely that the Bouvier des Flandres originated in Belgium.  Did you know in Belgium that in order for the Bouvier des Flandres to receive a championship title they must also have won a prize in a working competition as a police, defense, or army dog as well?  The Bouvier des Flandres was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1931.

Bouvier des Flandres

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Border Collie is often called the workaholic of the dog world.  This breed is the top notch sheep herder; they are prized for their intelligence, their extraordinary instincts, and working ability.  The Border Collie controls their stock with movements resembling stalking and they use their intense gaze referred to as "eye" to control their stock as well.  Their coat can be smooth or rough.  The Border Collie was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995. 

Border Collie

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Belgian Tervuren is a devoted to its family and work.  This breed has an elegant appearance with coat colors of rich fawn to russet mahogany with a black overlay.  The Belgian Tervuren makes an excellent guide dog for the disabled, or a therapy dog, and of course is great for herding.  The American Kennel Club recognized the Belgian Tervuren in 1959.

Belgian Tervuren

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Belgian Sheepdog is well-known for their work on battlefields; acting as message carriers, ambulance dogs, and even pulling machine guns.  Today the Belgian Sheepdog works in search and rescue,  as a guide dogs for the blind, and therapy dogs as well.  In other parts of the world the Belgian Sheepdog is called Groenendael or Chien de Berger Belge.  This is a protective breed, highly intelligent, and easily trained.  The Belgian Sheepdog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1912. 

Belgian Sheepdog

 

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Belgian Malinois is one of the four types of Belgian sheepherding dogs.  This is an alert and active breed; often used by police and military as a working dog.  The Belgian Malinois resembles the German Shepherd; but has a more elegant build and has a lighter bone structure.  The Belgian Malinois was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959.

Belgian Malinois

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Beauceron is a French breed of dog for herding.  The Beauceron is obedient, gentle, faithful, and easy to train.  This is an old breed of dog in France,  with a manuscript dating back to 1578 referencing this breed.  They are mainly used to herd sheep in France; but also herd cattle. The Beauceron was recognized by AKC in 2007.

Beauceron

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Bearded Collie was originally bred as a companion and servant of man.  Did you know that "collie" is the Scottish word for dogs that herd sheep?  Well the Bearded Collie is aptly named and does a great job herding sheep.  This breed is considered to be one of Britain's oldest breeds.  The Bearded Collie was recognized by AKC in 1976. 

Bearded Collie

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Australian Shepherd is an all around farm and ranch dog.  You may think this breed originated in Australia because of its name; however it is most likely from the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain.  The Australian Shepherd is an energetic dog with strong instincts for herding and guarding.  The Australian Shepherd of today is still a ranch dog; but it also is used as a guide dog for the blind, hearing dog for the deaf, pet therapy dog, drug detector, and search and rescue.  The Australian Shepherd was recognized by AKC in 1991.

Australian Shepherd

Dogs In The Herding Group

The Australian Cattle Dog is a cattle herder; and has the willingness and endurance level to work all day long.  This breed loves the open spaces.  The Australian Cattle Dog is a cross between the Dingo(native dog in Australia) and Highland Collie.  The Australian Cattle Dog was recognized by AKC in 1980.

Australian Cattle Dog

The Herding Group

The Herding Group is one of the eight dog group classification recognized by the American Kennel Club.  The Herding Group was formed in 1983.  The members in the Herding Group were once part of the Working Group.  Even though most members now in the Herding Group are not exposed to farms; they have the natural instinct to herd.  Over the next several days we will take a closer look at those wonderful dogs that are part of the Herding Group.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Dogs In The Working Group

The Tibetan Mastiff is a beautiful large imposing dog.  This breed is a guardian and they are also independent thinkers.  The Tibetan Mastiff female only has one estrus cycle a year; because of that most puppies are born in December or January.  This breed has large powerful jaws and is very fond of wood; so keep that in mind or your furniture will be nothing more than favorite chew toys.  The Tibetan Mastiff was recognized by AKC in 2006.

Tibetan Mastiff

Dogs In The Working Group

The Standard Schnauzer originated in Germany.  The Standard Schnauzer is the oldest of the three schnauzer breeds.  Their dominate characteristic is their moustache and beard;  it is also how their name was derived (schnauze is a German word meaning moustache/beard).  The Standard Schnauzer was originally placed in the terrier group (because of their vermin hunting);  in Germany they were always considered part of the working group.  The Standard Schnauzer was recognized by AKC in 1904.

Standard Schnauzer

Dogs In The Working Group

The Siberian Husky comes from Northeast Asia and was used as a sled dog.  They have an incredibly dense coat thanks to their very cold origins.  They are a high energy level dog; so be sure to exercise them regularly.  The Siberian Husky was recognized by AKC in 1930.

Siberian Husky

Dogs In The Working Group

Did you know the Samoyed has black lips?  This breed is alert, as well as a hardy and eager worker.  Their beautiful coat is pure white, white and biscuit, or cream and biscuit.  The Samoyed has the distinction of being called a true primitive dog; their are no traces of wolf or fox in their genetic makeup.  In the past this breed was known as a reindeer herder and a sled dog. The Samoyed was recognized by AKC in 1906.

Samoyed

Dogs In The Working Group

The Saint Bernard is well-known for rescuing those lost in the treacherous Saint Bernard Pass.  Their highly developed sense of smell is why they were able to find those lost in the snow.  Saint Bernard coats are either short or long; both coats types shed (a lot!!!!!!!!) Saint Bernards drool as well, some more than others but they drool.  They are devoted to their families.  The Saint Bernard was part of the first ten breeds recognized by AKC; they were recognized in 1885.  The Saint Bernard Club of America is one of the oldest Specialty Clubs in the United States; founded in 1888.  The Saint Bernard has a heritage to be proud of; I am proud they have been part of my life for so many years.

Saint Bernard

Saint Bernard Puppy

Dogs In The Working Group

The Rottweiler is intelligent, powerful, and possesses a born instinct to protect.  Their coat color is black with markings of rust or mahogany.  The Rottweiler is believed to have descended from the drover dogs of ancient Rome.  From its early beginnings, the Rottweiler has always been a guard dog; it is still used today in law enforcement.  The Rottweiler was recognized by AKC in 1931.

Rottweiler

Dogs In The Working Group

The Portuguese Water Dog is another member of the Working Group that is quite at home in the water.  Their coat is waterproof and they have the stamina to swim all day long.  Their coat may be wavy or curly; and range in colors from black, white, or brown.  The Portuguese Water Dog is not only a swimmer but a diver as well.  In  the past while accompanying fishermen, they would dive into the water and retrieve fish nets, herd fish into nets, and simply dive for fish.  The Portuguese Water Dog was recognized by AKC in 1983.

Portuguese Water Dog

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