HERDINGĀ GROUP
Breed Examples
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD | AUSTRALIAN KELPIE | BEARDED COLLIE | BELGIAN SHEPHERD (MALINOIS, TERVUREN), BERGER PICARD |Ā BORDER COLLIE | BOUVIER DES FLANDRES | BRIARD | CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI | DOBERMAN | DUTCH SHEPHERD |Ā GERMAN SHEPHERD | MUDI | PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI | ROUGH COLLIE | STANDARD SCHNAUZER
WHAT WE BRED THEM FOR
When humans began domesticating livestock, we needed help controlling and moving them from place to place. That's when we began selecting dogs for their herding abilities. This group goes as far back as 55BC. These dogs had to work closely with a shepherd and, of course, be reliable around the livestock.
Before you read on ...
These group pages introduce you to ten newly described dog groups based on the latest science. Knowing what type of 'job' is in your dog's DNA can offer valuable insights into the type of life they'd most enjoy.Ā
Treat this as a guide and a starting point for further research into the breed of dog to best suit you and your lifestyle. You'll find informationĀ specific to individual breeds here.
Note: this isn't a guarantee of how any individual dog will behave in future.
WHY YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH A HERDING GROUP DOG
Robin to Your Batman
Ready to heed the call for any mission on the horizon. They'll not rest as long as there's an adventure to be had.
Attentive
They're keenly aware of their environment, as well as your emotions and instructions.
Responsible
Their type A personality keeps their "I's" dotted and their "T's" crossed with rules, routines, work and games.
WHY THEY CAN BE HARD TO LIVE WITH
Bossy
They're a regulator, here to establish law and order by managing the living room, neighbourhood, park or wherever they find themselves.
Workaholic
Their mental and physical ambitions can make them a little overwhelming and exhausting at times, especially if you a prefer a quiet, indoor lifestyle.
Clingy
They're very person-focused which can be a little too much for some.
YOU MAY NEED COACHING TO HELP WITH
- Chasing fast-moving objects like cars, bikes, skateboards, joggers, cats and children
- Their controlling behaviour with other pets or family members
- Over-reacting to lights, shadows, sounds and motion
- Excessive barking
- Nipping feet and legs (people's and other animals')
YOUR RELATIONSHIP SURVIVAL KEY
Be prepared for their herding genetics leading to a need to micromanage the world.
Offer structure and some form of 'job' to do to satisfy their instincts for work.
Fulfil their almost supernatural propensity for complex learning by finding new things for them to do (eg fetching the remote, tidying their toys, finding your keys).
Embrace the awesomeness of having a canine wingman at your side.
