How to Identify If Your Dog Is a Herding Breed
Herding dogs, also called stock or working dogs, were originally bred to manage livestock through instinctual behaviors that guide, gather, and protect animals. While many now live as beloved pets, their innate traits remain evident. Understanding these traits can help you determine if your dog is a herding breed and how to best meet their needs.
Common Herding Behaviors
Dogs with herding heritage often display a set of instinctual behaviors, even outside of a working farm environment. These include:
- Nipping: Dogs, especially puppies, may nip at the heels of people or other pets as a way to control movement.
- Circling: A tendency to move in circles around people, animals, or objects, mimicking livestock gathering.
- Poking: Using their nose to prod others to move.
- Barking: Vocalizing to influence movement or respond to activity, particularly in the case of breeds like the Huntaway.
- Chasing: An urge to pursue moving targets such as children, runners, or vehicles, driven by the herding instinct.
- Shadowing: Following their owner closely or 'stalking' them throughout the house.
- Walking Behind: Staying just behind a person’s path as if guiding from behind.
- Protectiveness: Being observant and watchful, often alerting their family to perceived threats.
Breed Identification
Several dog breeds fall under the herding category. If your dog’s breed matches one of these, there's a strong likelihood they are a herding dog:
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Border Collie
- Bearded Collie
- Belgian Malinois
- Briard
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Old English Sheepdog
- German Shepherd Dog
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Bergamasco Sheepdog
- Bouvier des Flandres
Even mixed-breed dogs with herding ancestry may display some of these behaviors.
Regional Variations
Herding breeds were developed in various regions for specific livestock and terrain challenges:
- Australia and New Zealand: Kelpies, Koolies, and Australian Cattle Dogs managed vast flocks over open land.
- Finland: The Finnish Lapphund was used for herding reindeer.
- Europe: Belgian Malinois, Briards, and Bergamascos worked on multi-purpose farms.
- Wales: Short-legged Corgis were well-suited for nip-and-dodge cattle driving.
Training and Stimulating a Herding Dog
Herding dogs are intelligent, high-energy, and thrive on mental and physical challenges. They require:
- Regular Exercise: Walks alone are often not enough; they need play, sports, or jobs to burn energy.
- Mental Engagement: Training sessions, obedience routines, and interactive toys are essential.
- Dog Sports: Agility, flyball, and herding trials simulate real herding tasks.
- Household Tasks: Retrieving items, learning commands, or even DIY obstacle courses can satisfy them.
Recognizing and Managing Problematic Behaviors
Without enough stimulation, herding dogs can develop issues such as:
- Overzealous herding of family members or pets
- Obsessive chasing or barking
- Anxiety or destructive behaviors
Owners should address excessive nipping or chasing early, preferably with help from professional trainers familiar with herding breeds.
Basic Herding Commands
If you wish to engage your dog in herding or simulate the activity, consider training with common herding commands:
- Come by: Circle livestock clockwise
- Away to me: Circle counterclockwise
- Stand or wait: Stop or pause
- Cast: Gather the herd
- Get out/back: Create distance from livestock
- Hold: Maintain the livestock’s position
- Look back: Retrieve strayed animals
- Walk up: Approach slowly
- That will do: Stop working
Suitability as Pets
Herding dogs make loyal, intelligent, and alert companions when their needs are met. They’re ideal for active households and owners who appreciate training and engagement. However, they may not suit sedentary lifestyles.
Conclusion
If your dog displays herding behaviors or belongs to a recognized herding breed, you likely share your home with a working dog at heart. Giving them purpose, consistent leadership, and an outlet for their instincts will ensure they thrive both on and off the field.
