The Best Dogs for Herding Cattle

Heelers, Headers and Backs

• Australian cattle dogs nip at the cattle's heels and are consequently called "heelers." The koolie dog nips at heels, stares down the cattle by getting in front of them and looking at them, as well as jumps on the cattle's back if necessary. Koolies are said to "head, heel and back." A border collie uses the stare-down tactic, which is referred to as "headers."

Mixed Breeds

• Sometimes mixed breeds make the ideal cattle herders. A cross between the Australian shepherd and Australian cattle dog, which are often referred to as Texas heelers, as well as rough collies mixed with German shepherds are effective cattle herding dogs and are especially popular in the Midwest.

Hangin' Tree Cow Dog

• The hangin' tree cow dog is a cattle dog that gathers, retrieves and herds. This dog is considered the ultimate cowboy's dog. This breed was developed by Gary Ericsson and his son Choc and is a combination of 1/4th Australian shepherd (toughness and great ability); 1/4th kelpie (for herding instinct, short hair and endurance); 3/8th border collie (intelligence and herding instinct) and 1/8th Catahoula hog dog (trailing and locating cattle and for his short hair and herding instinct). The hangin' tree cow dog is hard-hitting and resilient and fears no cattle. It will stand up to any type of cattle and is capable of managing and handling them. This dog can have slick hair or short hair and tolerates the heat well. It is also capable of shedding mud and burs easily. The hanging' tree cow dog is sturdy and can take abuse from cattle, such as being kicked.

Welsh Corgis

• Cattle dogs must be fast and able to endure long hours of work. A shorter breed of dog, such as the Welsh corgi, is a herder and was bred to be short enough to avoid a cow's kicking feet.

Australian Cattle Dog

• The Australian cattle dog was bred so that it would be capable of functioning in the rugged outback of Australian, where it herds cattle. This dog is considered a natural and excellent cattle herder because every physical characteristic about it, including its eye color, coat, physical structure and temperament, were bred with the purpose of developing a fine cattle breeding dog.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

• Another good cattle herding dog is the Australian stumpy tail cattle dog, which is partially descended from the dingo, which is a wild dog that has never been fully domesticated. The dingo was crossed with a Smithfield, which is a long, black-and-white dense-coated dog that has a bobbed tail. The stumpy tail cattle dog controls cattle very well. They often nip at people's heels in an attempt to ride herd on them.

As Pets

• Cattle dogs are beautiful and intelligent dogs and are frequently family pets. They like to be kept active. Otherwise, they become bored and engage in bad habits that the family isn't going to be happy about.