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It is believed that humans tamed sheep about 7,000 years ago and cattle 10,500 years ago. Scientists believe dogs were domesticated 32,100 years ago. Somewhere in the future, someone came up with the idea to train dogs to graze sheep and cattle, changing their natural instinct to hunt these predatory animals and their instinct to be guided by the alpha in their flock. Today, the world is full of brave and intelligent herding dogs, including herding dogs and at least 30 species of shepherd dogs or shepherds. Here are some of the best herding dog breeds that are indispensable on sheep farms, cattle farms or even reindeer farms.
1. Corgi
Corgis gained fame because they are loved by Queen Elizabeth II, who has kept them from childhood. But corgi were bred not to pamper them, but for herding dogs. The fact that they are small and the cattle means nothing. The dog chases the huge animal, biting it on the heels. Indeed, Her Majesty’s corgi would not mind stepping on her heels if she did not budge.
There are two breeds of corgi, the Welsh Pembroke and the Welsh cardigan. The Cardigan Corgi has a long tail, while the Pembroke Corgi has a short tail. The Pembroke’s head also looks “more foxish”. Both dogs are long-bodied, but the Cardigan is slightly larger. Its shoulder height ranges from 10.5 to 12.5 and weighs 25 to 38 pounds. The Pembroke Corgi is 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 20 to 26 pounds.
2. Giant Schnauzer
Another herding dog, the Giant Schnauzer’s appearance is unmistakable. It is a fairly large dog, the largest of the three schnauzer breeds, up to 27.5 inches tall and weighing up to 77 pounds. Its deep chest and strong front legs allow the dog to keep up and guide its bovine charges to the ranch. But, of course, his elegant head with a flat forehead, mustache and mustache on his chin – the word “schnauzer” comes from the German word for dog mustache – all this betrays this faithful dog. The origins of this herding dog can be traced back to 15th century Germany, when it was bred from other herding dogs, crossed with smaller schnauzers.
3. Finnish lapphund
This Spitz-like dog with a fluffy tail twisting over its back was bred in Finland by the Sami to herd reindeer. It is a medium-sized dog, with shoulder heights ranging from 18 to 20 inches and usually weighing between 44 and 47 pounds. It has a square skull and a vulpine rather than a wolf profile. Its long, fluffy coat keeps it warm during arctic winters, and its powerful hind legs keep them in step with the deer they graze. Another reindeer herding dog, the Lapinporokoira, is very similar, although its tail is kept curved towards the hip rather than towards the back.
4. Shetland Sheepdog
This little shepherd dog is a miniature version of the collie. At just 14 inches tall at the shoulders and weighing between 14 and 16 pounds, it has the same beautiful, long, coarse double coat and long body with feathering on the forelegs and a lush mane. The only difference is that more colors are allowed than collies if they are going to be shown. The dog was bred in the Shetland Islands in the 1700s and is known for its intelligence and dedication to its human.
5. Border Collie.
Known for its intelligence and responsiveness, the Border Collie was bred to herd sheep in 18th century Britain. It is a medium sized dog, measuring 18 to 21 inches at the shoulder and weighing 30 to 44 pounds. This can usually be indicated by his black and white color, although other color types are allowed if the dog is shown. Its coat can be short or long, with strong hind legs and a smooth and graceful gait that aids it in sheep farming.
6. Briard
One of the largest herding dogs, weighing 75 pounds, the Briard was bred in 13th century France to graze and guard all types of livestock, especially sheep. Named after the city of Bree, it is not only large but also muscular, with abundant fur that even covers the eyes and ears of the dog. The coat is dry and slightly wavy for protection from the elements. The best thing about a dog is its powerful front and hind limbs, which give it speed and allow it to keep up with its men. Another cool feature of the Briard is that it has double fingers. Despite its size, the dog gets along well with children, as well as with sheep.
7. Bouvier de Flandres
Another large dog that resembles a Giant Schnauzer, this dog originated in 17th century Belgium to graze cattle. Unlike the schnauzer, its coat is coarse, curly and slightly sloppy. The Bouvier of Flanders has a beard and bushy eyebrows instead of a mustache. As befits a herding dog that works on a cattle ranch, it has a powerful body, deep chest and strong neck, shoulders and hips. This brave dog not only knows how to graze livestock, but also served as a messenger dog during the First World War.
8. Pumi
This playful little dog with funny, curly, erect ears was bread in 11th century Hungary to graze cattle. It was bred from the bullet, a type of shepherd known for its dreadlocks. The pumi is a type of herding dog that is a slightly smaller dog that is 13 to 19 inches tall at the shoulde
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and weighs 18 to 29 pounds. He also lost his bullet dreadlocks and his coat is now just thick and curly, with a curly tail that matches curly ears.
10. Australian Cattle Dog.
This sturdy, strong herding dog with a simple appearance is one of the best dogs for driving Australian cattle into barnyards, which is a challenge given the terrain and climate of the island continent. He makes up for with his stamina and endurance what he might lack in speed. This herding dog was allegedly bred from a variety of breeds, including the dingo, a wild Australian dog. This medium sized dog is not only exceptionally hardy but also durable. The oldest Australian herding dog, Bluey, is believed to have lived to be 29 years old. Even if they don’t live that long, Australian Cattle Dogs live several years longer than most other breeds.
11. Australian Kelpie
Although this name is associated with a mythological creature, there is nothing otherworldly about this type of shepherd dog. Like the Australian Cattle Dog, it has a low profile appearance, with erect ears, strong hindquarters and limbs, a powerful neck, deep chest and intelligent expression. Its tough outer coat withstands harsh weather conditions and its thick undercoat keeps you warm. The coat of the Australian kelpie is solid, and the black kelpie is called “thorns”. Its backstory is interesting because it descended from a pair of English collies that were shipped to Australia in 1870. The offspring of this pair were mated to an aboriginal named Kelpie, and she gave her name to the entire breed.
12. Laquenois
This large and unique looking dog is the least known of the Belgian Shepherd Dogs. Its height at the shoulder ranges from 22 to 26 inches and weighs about 62 pounds, its coat looks curly but is actually tough and pleasantly rough to the touch. Its front feet are round and its hind feet are oval, and its toes are curved. The ears are triangular, erect. One interesting feature of this dog was that it not only guarded and tended the sheep, but also guarded the linen. One aspect of making flax was to leave it in the sun to bleach, and Laquenois made it their mission to make sure it wasn’t stolen.
13. Tervuren
This dog is another type of shepherd dog bred in Belgium. Bred in the 1800s to graze all kinds of livestock, it looks like a long-haired German shepherd, and while its shoulder height is roughly the same at 22 to 26 inches, it is less massive at around 62 pounds. Like the German Shepherd, the Tervuren has a powerful, muscular hindquarters, but does not have such a downward slope of the back. It looks a lot like another Belgian Shepherd named Groenendael. Breeders distinguish between the two dogs, insisting that Tervuren has black hair tips, giving the dog the appearance of a German shepherd.
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