|
The Herding Group was originally part of the Working Group of dogs. That changed in 1983 when they were given their own group by the American Kennel Club. The main trait these dogs have in common is that they were bred to aid farmers in herding and protecting livestock.1
You’ll recognize many of the dogs in this group, like german shepherds, border collies, and corgis!2 Herding dogs are very active, intelligent, and loyal. They’re used to working day in and day out – which means they need constant activity to keep them entertained.
This can cause problems if they’re owned by families that can’t meet their activity needs. It can cause them to get bored, frustrated, and become neurotic. Hours of playtime, like fetch or jogging, several times a week will keep them calm.3
Some of these breeds can get very territorial and protective due to their strong bond with their owners. German shepherds especially need strong leadership from their owners so that those around them stay safe.3
Herding dogs have been used for thousands of years to aid farmers with their livestock.4 Nowadays, you’ll find just as many of them as members of non-farming families. The more popular breeds of this group are:
Do you have a herding dog at home? Let us know what kind!
All the best,
Chris & the WERC Team
Sources & Further Reading
-
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/herding/page/3/
-
http://www.animalplanet.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds/herding-dogs.html
-
https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/herding-dog/
-
https://dogtime.com/reference/71397-what-is-the-herding-dog-group
|
