The Complete List of Farm Dog Breeds

Across farms and rural homesteads, dogs are integral to daily work — from moving livestock to deterring predators and keeping buildings free of pests. The right dog can save time, reduce stress on animals, and fit the routines of a busy property.

There are exactly 30 farm dog breeds, ranging from Airedale Terrier to Tibetan Mastiff; for each breed you’ll find below the Scientific name, Primary role, Weight (kg) so you can compare size and function at a glance — you’ll find below all the entries and details.

How do I choose the right farm dog breed for my property?

Match the breed’s primary role and temperament to your needs: herding breeds suit livestock management, guardian breeds protect flocks, and terriers handle vermin. Consider climate, available space, exercise needs, and whether you need a trained working line or a milder companion. Meet dogs in real farm settings when possible and ask breeders or rescuers about experience with livestock.

What basic care and training do farm dog breeds typically need?

Most need consistent early socialization, basic obedience, and job-specific training (herding commands, livestock tolerance, or guardian behaviors). Secure fencing, routine veterinary care, parasite control, and enough daily physical and mental activity are essential to prevent problem behaviors and keep working ability sharp.

Farm Dog Breeds

Images and Descriptions

Border Collie

Intensely focused herder prized for intelligence and stamina, moving sheep and cattle with eye and verbal cues. Alert, energetic and trainable, originated on Britain’s border hills and commonly used across UK, Australia, New Zealand, and global sheep farms.

Australian Shepherd

Versatile herding and stock dog known for drive, responsiveness, and endurance with strong trainability. Medium-sized, originally developed in the United States for ranch work despite name, common on North American farms for mustering cattle and general ranch tasks.

Australian Cattle Dog

Rugged, high-energy cattle handler bred in Australia to drive cattle over long distances. Loyal, alert and tough, weighs moderately, excels at mustering and yard work, widely used on Australian and ranch-style farms where stamina and bite inhibition are needed.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Small, long-bodied herding dog developed to nip heels and move cattle and sheep on Welsh farms. Bold, energetic and clever, well suited to smallholdings for herding and farm chores; popular across the UK and known worldwide as a working breed.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Older Welsh herding breed with a heavier build, used historically for moving cattle and guarding stock. Loyal, watchful and adaptable, common on British small farms and increasingly kept worldwide where compact, hardworking herders are needed.

Belgian Malinois

Energetic, intelligent herding-descended working dog used for livestock moving and general farm tasks when trained. Highly driven, versatile, and loyal; widely used on large farms and ranches for handling stock, protection, and general utility in many countries.

German Shepherd

Versatile herding and utility dog used on farms for moving stock, guarding property, and general work. Intelligent, trainable and protective, developed in Germany; found worldwide on farms, working lines favored for stamina and working temperament over show lines.

Old English Sheepdog

Brawny, long-coated herding dog historically used for driving sheep and cattle on English farms. Affable, hardworking and steady, better suited to large pastures and rural life; known for intelligence and endurance in British and temperate farm settings.

Shetland Sheepdog

Small, agile herder from Scotland’s Shetland Islands bred to move sheep in harsh terrain. Intelligent, responsive and affectionate; commonly used on small farms and crofts for herding duties, agility, and as a reliable, hardworking companion in northern climates.

Australian Kelpie

Hardworking, agile herding dog developed in Australia for mustering sheep across vast stations. Independent, high-energy and extremely trainable, widespread on Australian and international farms for light-to-heavy stock work and versatile yard to paddock duties.

New Zealand Huntaway

Distinct New Zealand working dog bred specifically to hunt and drive sheep by voice across rough terrain. Loud, bold and tireless, prized on NZ and some southern hemisphere farms for mustering large flocks over hills.

Pyrenean Shepherd

Small, nimble herder from the French Pyrenees used to move sheep and guard flocks with speed and alertness. Energetic, intelligent and vocal; common on French mountain farms and valued for agility in difficult terrain.

English Shepherd

Versatile American farm dog used for herding, vermin control, and family farm duties. Intelligent, adaptable and hardworking, developed in the U.S. from British stock; prized on small farms and homesteads for its all-around utility.

Border Terrier

Small, tenacious terrier from Britain bred to eliminate vermin and foxes around farms. Affectionate, energetic and fearless, commonly kept on farms and smallholdings for ratting, rabbit control, and as a lively working companion.

Jack Russell Terrier

Bold, energetic terrier developed for hunting and vermin control on farms. Fiercely determined, intelligent and athletic; commonly used by farmers for rodent control, flushing animals, and general barn chores where a spirited small worker is required.

Rat Terrier

American-developed terrier prized on farms for rat and vermin control, alertness and loyalty. Small-to-medium, energetic and trainable; commonly found on North American farms where efficient barn and yard vermin reduction is necessary.

Airedale Terrier

Largest terrier, historically used on farms for vermin control, guard duties and general work. Bold, intelligent and versatile, found on British and international farms where a larger, hearty terrier can manage rats, foxes and occasional livestock protection.

Lakeland Terrier

Hardy British terrier bred in the Lake District for bolting foxes and controlling vermin on sheep farms. Spirited, independent and agile; commonly kept on upland farms for rodent work and as a resilient, weather-tolerant worker.

Komondor

Large Hungarian livestock guardian with distinctive corded coat, bred to protect flocks from predators. Calm, territorial and devoted; widely used on European and global farms for night guarding and stock protection in open pastures.

Kuvasz

Hungarian livestock guardian known for independence, courage and protective instincts. Large and powerful, historically worked guarding flocks and property; commonly used on European farms and estates for livestock protection and territorial security.

Anatolian Shepherd

Turkish livestock guardian bred for independent guarding of sheep and goats over vast ranges. Strong, protective and aloof with predators, widely used across Turkey, Central Asia and increasingly on ranches worldwide for guarding livestock.

Great Pyrenees

Massive, calm mountain guardian developed to protect flocks in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. Gentle with stock but formidable to predators, patient and independent; commonly used on European and North American sheep farms for flock protection.

Maremma Sheepdog

Italian livestock guardian bred for independent flock protection in open pastures and mountainous terrain. Loyal, courageous and reserved with strangers; historically used on Italian farms and now common internationally for guarding sheep and free-ranging stock.

Akbash

Turkish white livestock guardian bred to watch and defend flocks at night and during grazing. Calm, independent and protective, used across Turkey and on ranches worldwide for guarding sheep and goats against predators.

Kangal

Powerful Turkish livestock guardian celebrated for protective instincts and strong bite force, used to deter wolves and predators. Loyal, independent and territorial; widely deployed across Anatolia and increasingly on large ranches for serious livestock protection.

Central Asian Shepherd

Also called Alabai, massive guardian from Central Asia bred to protect flocks and homesteads from large predators. Independent, fearless and strong; commonly used across Central Asia and adopted by large-scale livestock operations elsewhere.

Tibetan Mastiff

Ancient Tibetan guardian bred for high-altitude flock and property protection, imposing and independent with strong guarding instincts. Calm with family but wary of strangers; used on Himalayan and some international farms for night guarding and predator deterrence.

Spanish Mastiff

Large Iberian guardian bred to protect sheep and cattle from wolves and thieves across Spain’s rangelands. Calm, devoted and formidable to predators; commonly used on Spanish and European farms where extensive grazing demands steadfast guardians.

Polish Tatra Sheepdog

Robust Polish mountain guardian bred to guard flocks in the Tatra region, protective and independent. Gentle with family but suspicious of strangers; commonly used in Poland and neighboring countries for livestock protection in mountainous pastures.

Estrela Mountain Dog

Portuguese livestock guardian from the Estrela Mountains bred to guard flocks and rural property. Loyal, calm and watchful with strong protective instincts; commonly used on Portuguese farms and adopted internationally for guardian roles on larger estates.