Herding Group...We're Always On the Move

Who Are We?...
We're the Herding Dog Group

We're the Herding Group, some of the most energetic, intelligent dogs recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club). As a group, we were formerly categorized as Working dogs, but received the Herding Group designation in 1983 by the AKC. We were bred to work with man and control the movement of animals, specifically sheep and cattle.

Our group contains some of the most intelligent and independent minded dog breeds, and our common trait is our herding instinct. Some of us were bred to herd sheep and work with shepherds, while some of us were bred to drive sheep and cattle over long distances. These days with jobs for herding dogs not quite as plentiful, some of us still work. Many of us are now companion and family dogs, and yes, our herding instincts are still working just fine, thank you.

Some of our roots of origin can be traced back to Sweden, France, Hungary, Australia, Belgium and New Zealand. Some of our breeds originated centuries ago, on the England/Scotland border, and some breeds were brought to Wales by the Celtic people in the year 1200. Some of our breeds also arrived in North America, brought over by the Spaniards.

Collie dog, a member of the AKC Herding Group

Collie dog, a member of the AKC Herding Group

We're dog breeds that are pretty well known. Most people can recognize the beautiful Collie, and the talented guard dog/police dog, German Shepherd. We've been part of popular culture for quite some time. Pembroke Welsh Corgi's are part of England's royal family, and Queen Elizabeth II has a fondness for us and owns several at all times.

Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd of radio, film, and television fame, entertained millions of fans from the 1920's through the 1950's. The Lassie film and television series starring a Collie dog, started with the 1943 Lassie Come Home movie, an academy award-winning film. And almost anyone growing up in the 1960's remembers the television series, Lassie, about a collie dog and her young master, Timmy Martin. Lassie had a talent for alerting people to trouble..."what it is girl"?, and running back to the farm, barking for help. In the 1995 film Babe, the Border Collie played a prominent role in the story line. Babe the little pig wants to be a sheep pig and herd his farmer's flocks..."move along there, ya...big buttheads". With the help of two border collies, wouldn't you know, Babe wins the sheep herding competition.

We take our celebrity status and notariety in stride because we're some of the most intelligent dogs in the canine kingdom.

Within the Herding Group
We Have Two Different Types

As sheep herders, we were originally bred to move flocks of sheep. Our group of dogs includes the Bouvier des Flandres, and the Old English Sheepdog, and we just love being active. We're strong, hard working breeds full of stamina and speed that's necessary to meet the demands of our outdoor job. We learned to work with shepherds and respond to his whistle command, but we're also independent minded, having learned to rely on our own judgment when it came time to move the flocks.

As cattle and sheep drivers, we were first bred to move the herds, and some of us were bred with lower, sturdier bodies than our sheep herding counterparts. We're a bit smaller and lower, full of stamina and endurance, capable of moving our charges over long distances. The Welsh Corgis (Cardigan, and Pembroke) and the Australian Cattle Dog are three of our group's breeds with excellent "driver" abilities.

How do we move the herds? We all have our own methods of moving the animals. Some of us stare directly at the herds, while some of us stalk them. We also bark, jump, and push to get them going. Nipping at the animal's heels to get their attention is another very effective technique we've perfected. The tricky part is avoiding getting kicked when everyone starts moving.

Our Training and Socialization Needs

Since we do rely on our herding instincts, our training and socialization needs are important. Because we'll try to round up anything that moves, we need firm, consistent training.

Some of our herding group dogs, such as the Collie and German Shepherd, are more sensitive to sound, so we can be more easily distracted by certain training methods.

We can be independent, and strong-minded, so we'll require your patience and understanding. We will need to be socialized at an early age, to learn what behavior is permissible in your family.

What Are Our Good Points?

Did we tell you that as members of the Herding Group, we're intelligent, good-natured, and energetic? And we also make great family pets, and love getting plenty of exercise. We're loyal dogs to our owners, and are distrusting of strangers.

What Are Our Not So-Good Points?

Some of our breeds are prone to barking. That can be a good thing when we're out in the fields rounding up livestock, but not such a good thing when we're living in a suburban neighborhood. Many of us are not suitable for city living, and some of our breeds should only be raised by experienced dog owners.

We do need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay out of trouble, otherwise we can become destructive. Digging holes, yowling, climbing fences, and chewing on things are some of the bad habits we can exhibit if we're bored!

Are We Kid Friendly?

As dogs in the Herding Group, some of are breeds are kid friendly and can be kept as family pets, and include the German Shepherd, and Collie. Some of our breeds such as the Welsh Corgi, and Old English Sheepdog do better with families who have older children, as we tend to try and herd youngsters.

Are We Hypoallergenic?

Some of our breeds in the Herding Group are prone to moderate to heavy shedding, which might cause allergy sufferers to experience symptoms. We'll need plenty of brushing, particularly in the Spring and Fall, when we shed our coats. The AKC has not listed any dogs from our group that allergy suffers might want to consider.

More Herding Group Breed Information

Here's a listing of dog breeds in the Herding Group:

Australian Shepherd (Herder)	Australian Cattle Dog (Driver)
Bearded Collie (Herder)	Belgian Malinois (Herder)
Belgian Sheepdog (Herder)	Belgian Tervuren (Herder)
Border Collie (Herder)	Bouvier des Flandres (Driver)
Briard (Driver)	Canaan Dog (Herder)
Cardigan Welsh Corgi (Driver)	Collie (Herder)
German Shepherd (Herder)	Old English Sheepdog (Herder)
Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Driver)	Polish Lowland Sheepdog (Herder)
Puli (Herder)	Shetland Sheepdog (Herder)

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