- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dogs have been helping us at work for thousands of years, and herding is a common job for many dog breeds.
In fact, records of sheepdogs date back to 3000 BCE—so herding livestock is one of the first jobs dogs had after domestication.
Plenty of herding dog breeds still work full time, but others have different jobs as family companions. Some herding breeds can do well as pets, as long as they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation!
Read on to learn more about 14 top herding dog breeds below and discover the best one for you—whether you’re searching for a loyal livestock dog or family pet.
Characteristics of a Herding Dog
Herding dogs come in all sizes, and their personalities often depend on the type of livestock they were bred to work with.
For example, breeds meant to work with big animals, like cattle, will be strong-willed and tough, explains Dr. Paige Adams, a veterinarian with Etowah Pet Hospital and Border Collie enthusiast. Dogs bred to herd smaller animals, like sheep, are often gentler and more sensitive.
But despite their genetic differences, most herding dogs a few main traits in common.
- Athletic builds: Herding dogs have a combination of sturdiness and lean muscle for maximum agility in the field.
- Strong stamina: Their ancestors had to spend long days in a pasture or roving cross-country, so modern herding breeds tend to have plenty of energy to burn.
- High intelligence: Herding dogs are smart dogs, with excellent memories and the thinking skills to understand and recall complicated commands.
- Strong perception: Herding dogs need to have sharp eyesight to spot stray livestock and good hearing to pick up faint sounds, like a whistle from their handler in the distance.
How herding style affects a dog’s instincts
Some dogs have slightly different herding instincts, depending on the type of herding they were bred to do.
- Gathering: Gathering dogs want to round livestock into a group and bring them back to a handler. These instincts help a dog round up flocks for the night or move them to different pastures.
- Driving/Droving: Driving dogs want to keep livestock moving away from a handler. Historically, dogs with these instincts kept animals moving over long distances, like when driving cattle to market.
- Tending: Tending dogs keep livestock in a certain area and watch for predators. These instincts came in handy for keeping animals safe in a fenceless pasture.
Some breeds or individual dogs may favor one type of herding or have mixed instincts.
Australian Cattle Dog
- Size: Medium
- Coat type: Short
- Coat colors: Blue, red
- Herding style: Driving
- Best for herding: Cattle
Australian Cattle Dogs were bred in the 19th century to herd cattle in the Australian outback. You may also know them by their alternative name, heelers. They got this name from the way they herd: nipping at cows’ heels to get them to move along.
Modern heelers can thrive as pets when they get plenty of activity, including dog sports, hiking, or a hearty play session with their people.
Bearded Collie
- Size: Medium
- Coat type: Long
- Coat colors: Brown, blue, black, or fawn
- Herding style: Gathering and driving
- Best for herding: Sheep, cattle
Bearded Collies are one of the oldest dog breeds in the U.K. The word “collie” comes from the Gaelic word “useful,” and many modern ““Beardies” continue to live up to their namesake by herding sheep and cattle. Others make playful and perceptive family companions.
Whether your Collie works with livestock or keeps you company on the couch, their shaggy double coat needs regular grooming to prevent matting.
Border Collie
- Size: Medium
- Coat type: Medium
- Coat colors: Black and white
- Herding style: Gathering
- Best for herding: Sheep
Border Collies date back to the 1800s, making them a relatively young herding breed, but they quickly became one of the most popular sheep-herding dogs in the world, thanks to their athleticism, sensitivity, and extreme intelligence.
As pets, Dr. Adams explains that they need plenty of training, patience, and mental and physical activity to thrive.
“Border Collies are the ultimate velcro dogs,” Dr. Adams says. These dogs are affectionate and love being near you—but they might want to spend most of the day active together!
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Size: Small
- Coat type: Long or short
- Coat colors: Red, sable, fawn, black tricolor, red tricolor
- Herding style: Driving
- Best for herding: Cattle, sheep, ducks
Would you believe these squat, lovable dogs were first bred to herd cattle? Long before the Pembroke Welsh Corgi became Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite dog, they herded cows by nipping at their ankles. Their small size helped protect them from kicks!
Corgis have whip-smart minds and mischievous natures. As pets, they may use their ankle-nipping instincts to herd family members if they don’t get proper training and enough activity.
German Shepherd
- Size: Large
- Coat type: Short or long
- Coat colors: Red, black, tan
- Herding style: Tending
- Best for herding: Sheep
One of the most beloved dog breeds in the world, the German Shepherd dates back to the 1890s. Originally, they worked tending sheep and protecting them from wolves.
A modern German Shepherd’s protective instincts make them excellent dogs for herding or police work. They can also light up a family home, thanks to their sensitivity, loyalty, and high play drive—but they need plenty of regular physical activity and mental stimulation to thrive.
Old English Sheepdog
- Size: Large
- Coat type: Long
- Coat colors: Blue, grey, white
- Herding style: Driving
- Best for herding: Sheep
Don’t let the Old English Sheepdog’s plush, teddy bear looks fool you. These dogs are solid muscle underneath their shaggy coats, which helped them thrive as sheepdogs in 1800s England.
While many modern Old English Sheepdogs still have their herding instincts, many are perfectly content as gentle, playful companions. Just be ready to spend an hour or so on coat maintenance every week!
Shetland Sheepdog
- Size: Small
- Coat type: Long
- Coat colors: Black, blue, merle, sable, tricolor
- Herding style: Tending
- Best for herding: Sheep, ducks
The Shetland Sheepdog may resemble like a miniature Rough Collie, they have a slightly different ancestry. They originated in the Shetland Islands in the early 20th century, where they worked tending sheep and alerting farmers to potential danger.
Modern Shelties still have a sharp bark that may not thrill your neighbors. But their devotion, spirit, and will to please make them impossible not to love.
Australian Shepherd
- Size: Medium
- Coat type: Long
- Coat colors: Black, blue merle, red merle, red
- Herding style: Driving
- Best for herding: Sheep, cattle
The Australian Shepherd has a misleading name, as they were first bred in America, not Australia, in the 1800s. These dogs worked by driving cattle and sheep to their grazing grounds.
These dogs make beloved pets around the world, thanks to their bright personalities and trainability. Plus, their stumpy tails make their whole back end wags when they’re happy!
However, due to their high energy, their bodies and brains need vigorous activity through pastimes like dog sports or hiking.
Belgian Sheepdog
- Size: Large
- Coat type: Long
- Coat colors: Black
- Herding style: Tending
- Best for herding: Sheep, cattle
The Belgian Sheepdog is a sister dog to the Belgian Malinois, but these dogs stand apart thanks to their long, solid black coats and lion-like “manes.” They were first bred in the 1800s to tend sheep and cattle.
Today, Belgian Sheepdogs also thrive at other jobs, like police work or search and rescue, due to their intelligence and strong working drive. They also make loyal and spirited companions for families who want an active dog.
Australian Kelpie
- Size: Medium
- Coat type: Short
- Coat colors: Black and tan, blue, red, red and tan, chocolate, fawn
- Herding style: Gathering, driving
- Best for herding: Cattle, sheep
Australian Kelpies may not be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), but they have gained popularity as working dogs on farms and excel at different herding styles.
As pets, Kelpies are intuitive and loving “velcro dogs” who want to do everything alongside you. But they can have a stubborn streak, which means they need an experienced dog parent to train them.
Finnish Lapphund
- Size: Medium
- Coat type: Long
- Coat colors: Any solid color
- Herding style: Gathering
- Best for herding: Sheep
The Finnish Lapphund is an ancient dog bred by the Sami people of Lapland to herd reindeer in frigid conditions.
Modern Lapphunds still have their herding instincts, and some now work with sheep instead of reindeer. These friendly, sensitive dogs make good companions for active families, but their fluffy coats require frequent brushing and maintenance.
Icelandic Sheepdog
- Size: Small
- Coat type: Long, short
- Coat colors: Black, chocolate, tan, red, grey, cream
- Herding style: Driving
- Best for herding: Sheep
Another working breed built for cold weather, the Icelandic Sheepdog has worked driving sheep since 874 CE.
These small, gentle dogs can also make ideal best friends for people who want a friendly and loyal pup. Just keep in mind they’re very vocal dogs, so prepare for plenty of barking.
Puli
- Size: Medium, small, toy
- Coat type: Long
- Coat colors: Black, grey, white
- Herding style: Gathering, driving
- Best for herding: Cattle, sheep
The Puli comes from Hungary, where they were carefully bred to herd sheep and cattle over hundreds of years. This breed has a corded coat that might make them look like a walking mop—but it keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer without slowing them down.
Puli pet parents will have to put plenty of maintenance into this breed’s unique coat, but these dogs are friendly, playful, and great with kids.
Briard
- Size: Medium
- Coat type: Long
- Coat colors: Any except white
- Herding style: Gathering, driving, tending
- Best for herding: Cattle, sheep
The Briard comes from France, where they were bred as all-around herding dogs for a wide variety of livestock.
While modern Briards are rare in the US, they still thrive as adaptable herding dogs and make loyal and affectionate pets. They can have an independent streak and often make good guard dogs.
Best Cues To Teach Your Herding Dog
Whether they’ll be working dogs or family pets, all herding breeds need regular training to exercise their minds and learn their roles.
“A dog that chases livestock for fun or treats kids like sheep isn’t safe or effective in either role,” Dr. Adams says.
Most herding dogs learn variations of the same basic commands—and these commands can also work well for pets. Examples include:
- That’ll do/All done: This command gets the dog to stop their current command or leave the sheep. It works the same way as the “leave it” command, Dr. Adams explains.
- Steady/take time: This command tells a dog to approach livestock slowly and carefully. It can also come in handy when getting your dog to slow down on a leash or at the dog park.
- Walk in/go in: This command tells your dog to walk forward. It can also be useful for directing your dog’s movements when they’re off leash.
- Come by/go by: This command asks the dog to run around the flock clockwise from their handler.
- Away to me/way to me: This command asks the dog to run counterclockwise from the handler. Both this command and “come by” can help channel your dog’s energy while running in the backyard.
Don’t have any sheep hanging out at home? You can substitute training these commands with a herding ball.
To get started, search for herding classes and programs in your area. For example, the American Herding Breed Association (AHBA) offers classes with real livestock and a test program to gauge your dog’s skills. You can view upcoming classes by state on their event calendar.
