Dogs That Shepherd Sheep

Since humans first began domesticating wolves to create modern-day dogs, dogs have been used for a number of jobs. One of these jobs is herding animals such as sheep, and around the world many dog breeds have been bred for this task. Today, many of those breeds are no longer actively used for the task, having been replaced by more effective herding breeds.

  1. Australian Shepherd

    • The Australian Shepherd likely comes by its name in a round-about way. Sheep herders from the Basque region of the Pyrenees Mountains brought the breed to the U.S. by way of Australia in the 1800s. The Australian Shepherd was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as the Australian Shepherd, despite not being recognized in Australia. It is an active, intelligent breed that is still used today for sheep herding.

    Border Collie

    • The border collie originates from the U.K. and is one of the top herding breeds in the world. High energy, intelligence and a drive to work hard make it a breed well-suited for herding. The breed is easy to train and herds using a stalk and stare method, controlled often by whistles or commands from the farmer.

    Beauceron

    • The Beauceron is the sheep-herding dog of choice in France. It is one the country's oldest breeds, likely dating back to the 16th century. Like all good sheepdogs, the Beauceron is an intelligent, high-energy, hard-working breed. It also has a protective nature, making it a suitable watchdog.

    Bernese Mountain Dog

    • The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, powerful Swiss herding breed. It is a muscular, long-coated breed and fits well into the colder Swiss climate. In addition to being an energetic, intelligent herder, the breed is used as an all-purpose farm dog. Its size and power allow it to be used to pull carts, herd cattle and sheep, and be an effective protector of the farm.

    Briard

    • The Braird is an old French herding breed that has been depicted in tapestries since the 8th century. It is a large, muscular breed with a thick, straight coat that gives it a shaggy appearance. It is energetic, intelligent and naturally reserved around strangers, making it a good herder and guard dog.