What type of shepherds are there

Their long coats help to protect them from inclement weather, but it is also quite attractive. They do, however, shed heavily and require frequent grooming to promote proper skin and coat health. Bearded Collies come in a number of color combinations, including fawn, tri-color, black, brown and white. The history of the Bohemian Shepherd is cloaked in a bit of mystery, but we know that they were bred in France sometime during the 19 th century.

Bohemian Shepherds are noted for being sensitive and intelligent animals, and because they have a strong desire to please their owners, they are usually quite obedient and well-behaved, once provided with proper training. They are very energetic dogs, however, who are willing to work long hours while tending their charges. This can make them somewhat challenging for pet owners, as they require a great deal of exercise to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive.

There are two types of Bohemian Shepherds, rough-faced and smooth-faced. Those in the former group have a frilly ring of fur around their faces, while those in the latter group lack such hair.

Both varieties are lean and agile, which serves them well when tending sheep and other livestock. Collies are Scottish herding dogs, who have a long and interesting history. In fact, Lassie is arguably the most famous dog of all time. Collies are medium-sized, herding dogs excel in a variety of roles. They not only herd and guard livestock, but they are also skilled trackers, who can follow a trail for miles. They are remarkably intelligent, well-natured and gentle dogs, who also make great pets.

They do, however, require copious amounts of exercise, like most other shepherd breeds. There are two different types of collie. Rough-coated Collies have long, silky hair, while Smooth-Coated Collies have short, thick hair. They both come in a variety of colors and combinations, including tri-color, blue merle, white and sable. Both types will require frequent baths, brushing and grooming, although the smooth-coated variety is slightly easier to care for. While they may appear very similar to German Shepherds, East-European Shepherds are, in fact, an entirely different breed.

And while they descend from herding dogs, East-European Shepherds were primarily developed to work with police officers and military personnel, rather than tending sheep or cattle. They are very easy to train, and they typically enjoy pleasing their owner or handler. Most are remarkably loyal and courageous, which helps them to not only excel in military and police contexts but protection work too.

East-European Shepherds can make good pets, but few owners are willing to provide them with as much exercise and stimulation as they need. Icelandic Sheepdogs are smart and effective herding dogs, whose bravery belies their small size. And although these spunky dogs were developed to perform a variety of herding and flock-guarding tasks, they have very endearing personalities, which makes them popular among pet owners too.

Most will become obedient with proper training, although they can be quite vocal, which makes them unsuitable for apartment life. And, perhaps most importantly, which of these incredible Shepherd dog breeds is destined to be your new best friend?

Originally from Canada, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand. Nicole has a strong love for all animals and has experience caring for all types of dogs, from Yorkies to Great Danes.

Nicole even worked as a dog sitter during her travels through South America and cared for stray pups — something she holds close to her heart. Doggie Designer is reader-supported.

When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. The 12 Shepherd Dog Breeds 1. Height: inches Weight: pounds female or pounds male Lifespan: years.

Height: inches Weight: Up to 34 pounds female or up to 38 pounds male Lifespan: years. Height: inches Weight: pounds Lifespan: years. Contents The 12 Shepherd Dog Breeds 1. German Shepherd 2. Australian Shepherd Dog 3. Collie Dog 4. Welsh Corgi Dog 5. Old English Sheepdog 6. Australian Cattle Dog 7. Border Collie 8. Belgian Malinois 9. Finnish Lapphund Belgian Sheepdog Miniature American Shepherd Shetland Sheepdog Conclusion.

Nicole Cosgrove. Related posts Sep 28 Just like the Pembrokes , Cardigan Welsh Corgis are also prone to back injuries and disorders , so special care and vet visits must be made to avoid health complications.

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are also not as open to strangers as the Pembrokes, but they can be just as friendly with some time and patience.

They also have waterproof coats but are not as fit for the outdoors as Pembrokes. The Old English Sheepdog is instantly recognizable by their coat of shaggy hair that often covers their eyes. From the s to the s, the Old English Sheepdog became a show breed for wealthy families. The Old English Sheepdog is a fun-loving, friendly dog who loves to spend time with family.

Surprisingly, the Old English Sheepdog adjusts well to home and apartment life. Though this breed sheds little, the bulk of their fur means that they require long hours of grooming per week. This is including daily brushing and occasional visits to a professional groomer. The Old English Sheepdog also does not fare well for long hours alone; they quickly develop social anxiety, and as such, need to be with family almost always. The Spanish Water Dog is a woolly, intelligent, and even-tempered dog who feels most at home working with humans.

The most notable characteristic of the Spanish Water Dog is their curly, woolly fur. These coily fur strands wind around each other and grow out into cords. Because of this, farmers back in the day used to shear their dogs at the same time they sheared their sheep!

Their origin is also a bit confusing, with various theories claiming their beginnings in Turkey or Northern Africa. Nonetheless, they have made their place within the Iberian Peninsula as sheepherders or waterfowl retrievers. These days, Spanish Water Dogs also find their way to police forces and disaster rescue. The Spanish Water Dog does well as a family pet. These dogs are intelligent and eager to please , with good hunting and guardian instincts. This also means that one must put themselves on top of the pack hierarchy to keep their Spanish Water Dog from being too territorial or overprotective.

Notably, the Spanish Water Dog must never be combed or brushed , as brushing might just pull on the curled furs and cause pain.

Bathing should involve plenty of conditioner and a gentle shampoo. Fortunately, this breed never really sheds, which makes them one of a few hypoallergenic dog breeds. The Beauceron is a tall, rugged dog, standing at 27 inches at the withers. Their name comes from the Beauce region of France. Beaucerons do not hail from Beauce, oddly enough, they hail from the province of Brie. They were originally developed as hunting dogs in the s but were soon bred for herding work.

Interestingly, like several French shepherd breeds, the Beauceron has an extra dewclaw on each of their hind legs. They are levelheaded dogs, protective of their families, and full of energy.

The Beauceron is especially strong-willed and almost bows to no master. This breed is not for inexperienced dog owners! As usual, they must be socialized very early in life. If they are put in their place within the pack hierarchy as soon as possible, this counteracts their natural need for being the Alpha. Without proper training, they might assert dominance over children in the family, which could induce stress in both the kids and the dog.

They also need at least 40 minutes to two hours of exercise daily, as well as a wide yard or farmland for them to run around in. They are another old breed hailing from Picardy in Northern France. The breed has existed since the Middle Ages, leading many to believe that the Berger Picard is the oldest of the French herding dog breeds.

They were officially recognized in France in the s and were registered by the American Kennel Club in Berger Picards are a medium-sized breed with a rough, thick, strong coat that may come in red, blue, grey, or fawn.

They also have a long tail that ends in a slight J-curve, and tall, erect ears. Berger Picards tend to be skittish, and as such, easily become overstimulated. Therefore, a steady hand, lots of socialization, and positive reinforcement are important to ensure the Berger Picard grows up happy and healthy. They also require daily pack walks , if there are other dogs in the household. Berger Picards respond poorly to harsh voices, so it is important to be kind, consistent, and firm in their training.

They can adjust to a small apartment as long as they are sufficiently exercised. Their name says it all; the Finnish Lapphund hails from Finland, with the Saami people, far north in Lapland. They were first used as reindeer herders and were bred to dodge lanky reindeer legs and horns. Finnish Lapphunds nearly went extinct just before World War II, but enthusiasts banded together and saved the breed from disappearing.

They are extremely agile and can go from walking to a full sprint in no time at all. Finnish Lapphunds have coarse, long topcoats and fluffy undercoats that keep the cold out.

They come in all sorts of colors, ranging from white to red to brown to black. Finnish Lapphunds crave family affection, are good with kids, and are wary of strangers. They are not guard dogs, though; they will bark at strangers but not attack.

Finnish Lapphunds also need the daily exercise required of most herding breeds. They react poorly when left alone, so someone should always keep an eye on the Lapphund, lest they become anxious and display destructive behavior. As long as one can handle the shedding and the barking, Finnish Lapphunds make great additions to a close-knit family. The Bouvier des Flandres is a smart, burly, barrel-chested dog bred to keep up with heavy-duty farm work. This breed hails from Flanders, also known as the Flemish area of Belgium.

They can grow up to 27 inches tall and weigh 95 pounds. They have a rough outer coat and a thick undercoat that can withstand the cold of the Belgian mountains. Aside from herding and guarding cattle, they were also used to help pull carts. Bouviers des Flandres also served in both World Wars as messenger dogs and sentries.

Bouviers des Flandres seldom bark and have a generally calm demean or. However, as herding dogs, they may tend to herd more than they should. They might start nipping at bikers and joggers if they are not given enough things to do.

Fortunately, Bouviers learn quickly under the hand of an experienced dog owner or a professional trainer and learn to take on a leash quickly. To most people, the Puli dog may resemble a friendly, four-legged mop. They were bred to be sole companions high up in hill ranches, so they tend to latch on to one person. Pulik plural of Puli are intelligent and assertive ; sometimes may be a bit too intelligent for their own good!

They always return to their owners, whether they are out investigating something or simply going for a romp. Given the density of their corded coat, Pulik tend to overheat if the weather is too warm. They also need to be carefully watched if they are going for a swim, as the cords can weigh down and tire out a swimming Puli. Though their coat is thick and presents a grooming challenge, Pulik are impressively agile and acrobatic and love to run around in wide-open spaces.

While many dogs may be up to the task of shepherding a flock, there are few that are genetically predisposition for the task.