German Shepherds, Border Collies and any breed with the word “cattle,” “sheep” or “shepherd” in their name were originally bred to work alongside the Shepherd as a shepherd, drop or both. Herding dogs make great pets: they are intelligent, quick learners, and adapt well to domestic life. If you are thinking of getting a herding dog, you have a huge choice of breeds, with different personalities but with some personality traits.
driving prey
Although herding dogs were bred to protect and control livestock, they do have a strong prey drive. This is a basic personality trait, but when put into practice, the Shepherd controls this instinct with training. Herding requires the dog to “chase” the cattle to control its movement, but the last terrible part of the hunt never happens. This is because the dog is intelligent and will obey his master’s commands. You’ll notice that your care dog, whether it’s an Australian cattle dog or an Anatolian shepherd, loves to chase.
High intelligence
The Border Collie is often considered the most intelligent dog breed in the world. The German Shepherd and Shetland Sheepdog also make it into the top five. Due to the complex and demanding nature of herding, only the most intelligent dogs were used for work. Later, offspring of the original Shepherd Dogs inherited this intelligence. High intelligence is both a blessing and a curse for dog owners. While training an intelligent dog is a rewarding and exciting experience, your foster dog will not be happy if he is under stimulation. Herding dogs excel in agility trials, flyball and other dog sports.
Low boredom threshold
One of the most common problems that comes with owning a highly intelligent dog is minimal boredom. While some dogs, particularly those raised solely for companionship, are happy to laze around all day, your care dog will not accept that. If you don’t provide as much mental stimulation as agility training, your dog will soon find ways to entertain himself, and you may not be happy with his choices.
action instinct
You’ll notice that your Sheepdog, whether he’s a Border Terrier or an English Poodle, likes to “work.” His instinct to control the movement of his flock is still strong, even though he is a domestic pet. He’ll try to round up family members, nip at the legs of people who run by, and maybe even chase cars. If you’ve noticed that the cat is lucky for you, it’s because he’s waiting for your next move so he can take care of you.
loyalty
Unlike hounds and sled dogs, herding dogs were bred to work with a shepherd and just about anyone else. This calls for a high degree of loyalty. Those dogs who were not devoted to their shepherds were usually considered to be poor shepherds, and were certainly not used for breeding. A herding dog is a “one-man” dog. He’ll stick by your side, won’t pounce on strangers and will always have an eye on you. For this reason, these dogs make excellent watchdogs and watchdogs.
Written by Simon Foden
PetWave: Herding dog breeds Net Pet Magazine: Cattle Herding Dogs Science Daily: Canine intelligence on par with human two-year-olds, canine researcher says Northwood Dog Training Club: Which breed or type? Veterinary Partner: Herding Dog Heritage
