The Complete List of Herding Dog Breeds

From windswept highlands to family farms, certain dogs are bred specifically to gather, guide and control livestock. Knowing how these working breeds differ in size, origin and temperament makes it easier to pick a companion that fits your land and lifestyle.

There are 48 herding dog breeds, ranging from Australian Cattle Dog to White Swiss Shepherd Dog. For each entry you’ll find below the Scientific name, Origin, Size (height cm / weight kg) so you can quickly compare history, region and typical dimensions.

How do I choose the right herding dog breed for my property or family?

Match the breed’s energy and working instincts to your situation: high-energy breeds suit large, active properties or regular herding work, while calmer varieties may fit family life better. Consider the type of livestock, grooming needs, space, and your ability to provide daily exercise and training before deciding.

What basic care and training do herding breeds typically need?

Herding dogs need consistent mental stimulation, regular exercise, early socialization and positive, task-focused training to channel their instincts. Routine vet checks, breed-appropriate grooming and clear rules at home help prevent problem behaviors and keep them healthy and responsive.

Herding Dog Breeds

Images and Descriptions

Australian Cattle Dog

A rugged and intelligent ‘heeler’ bred for driving cattle over long distances. Known for its loyalty and protective nature, this compact dog is famous for its endurance and mottled blue or red coat. It thrives on having a job to do.

Australian Kelpie

An incredibly energetic and intelligent sheepdog prized for its tireless work ethic. Kelpies are capable of working independently in harsh conditions, using their agility to run along the backs of sheep to get to the other side of the flock.

Australian Shepherd

Despite its name, the “Aussie” was developed in the United States as a versatile ranch dog. Praised for its intelligence and trainability, it excels at herding livestock and is a star in many dog sports. Their striking merle coats and eyes are famous.

Bearded Collie

A bouncy and charismatic herder known for its shaggy coat and boisterous personality. The “Beardie” was used for herding sheep and cattle in the Scottish Highlands, known for its enthusiastic, vocal style of working.

Beauceron

A large and powerful French herding dog, known for its versatility as both a flock driver and a guardian. The Beauceron is confident and gentle with its family but can be reserved with strangers. It is easily recognized by its distinctive double dewclaws.

Belgian Laekenois

The rarest of the four Belgian herding breeds, distinguished by its rough, tousled fawn coat. The Laekenois is a diligent and protective worker, originally used for guarding and herding linen fields and sheep.

Belgian Malinois

A high-drive, intelligent herder renowned for its work in police and military K-9 units. The Malinois is intensely focused and athletic, requiring a great deal of mental and physical stimulation to thrive. They are exceptionally loyal and protective.

Belgian Sheepdog

Also known as the Groenendael, this breed is the solid-black, long-coated variety of the Belgian herders. It is an elegant, intelligent, and sensitive dog that forms a strong bond with its owner, excelling at herding and protection work.

Belgian Tervuren

A long-coated Belgian herder with a striking fawn-to-mahogany coat and black overlay. The Tervuren is an intelligent, elegant, and energetic dog that loves to work, combining the drive of a Malinois with a more glamorous appearance.

Bergamasco Sheepdog

An ancient sheepdog from the Italian Alps, famous for its unique coat of felt-like mats, or ‘flocks’. This coat protects it from weather and predators. The Bergamasco is an intelligent, independent problem-solver, gentle with its family.

Berger Picard

One of the oldest French sheepdogs, with a distinctive scruffy appearance and lively personality. The Berger Picard is a loyal, good-natured, and observant herder with a sense of humor, known for its stamina and strong work ethic.

Border Collie

Widely considered the most intelligent dog breed, the Border Collie is a supreme sheep-herding specialist. It is famous for its intense, hypnotic “eye” used to control stock. This workaholic breed possesses incredible stamina and drive, needing a job to be happy.

Bouvier des Flandres

A powerful and rugged dog originally used for cattle droving and general farm work in Flanders. The Bouvier is a calm, loyal, and protective family companion with a weather-resistant coat and a formidable presence.

Briard

A large, shaggy French sheepdog with a heart of gold. The Briard was used to both herd and guard flocks, showing a combination of intelligence, spirit, and loyalty. Its long coat and ‘peek-a-boo’ hairstyle are hallmarks of the breed.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The older of the two Corgi breeds, distinguished by its long, fox-like tail. Bred as a low-to-the-ground cattle drover, the Cardigan is a sturdy, loyal, and intelligent companion, a bit more reserved than its Pembroke cousin.

Catalan Sheepdog

A herding dog from the Catalan Pyrenees region of Spain, known for its long, shaggy coat and intelligent, courageous nature. It was traditionally used to manage flocks independently and makes a loyal, active family pet.

Collie

Famous from “Lassie,” this breed comes in Rough (long-haired) and Smooth varieties. Collies are intelligent, gentle, and devoted family dogs that were originally bred for herding sheep in the Scottish Highlands. They are known for being graceful and expressive.

Croatian Sheepdog

An agile and alert herding breed with a distinctive curly black coat. The Croatian Sheepdog is a versatile and highly trainable worker, known for its intelligence and boundless energy. It forms a very close bond with its owner.

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

A unique breed created by crossing German Shepherds with Carpathian wolves. It possesses the trainability of a Shepherd with the stamina and pack mentality of a wolf. It is a versatile working dog used for herding, tracking, and search and rescue.

Dutch Shepherd

A versatile and intelligent herding dog from the Netherlands, known for its distinctive gold or silver brindle coat. The Dutch Shepherd is a highly trainable and loyal companion, excelling in herding, police work, and various dog sports.

English Shepherd

A classic, all-purpose American farm dog descended from British collies. The English Shepherd is a confident and intelligent worker, capable of herding livestock, guarding the homestead, and being a loyal family companion.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

The smallest of the four Swiss Mountain Dogs, this breed is a compact and energetic cattle herder. The Entlebucher is known for its loyalty, self-assurance, and characteristic tri-color coat. It’s an agile and tireless worker.

Finnish Lapphund

Originally used by the Sámi people to herd reindeer, this Spitz-type breed is calm, friendly, and intelligent. The Finnish Lapphund is a hardy dog with a thick double coat, known for being a gentle and devoted family companion.

German Shepherd Dog

One of the world’s most recognized breeds, the German Shepherd is a versatile herder and all-purpose worker. Renowned for its intelligence, courage, and loyalty, it excels in roles from police and military work to service and family protection.

Icelandic Sheepdog

Iceland’s only native dog breed, this charming Spitz-type herder was brought by Vikings. It uses its voice to herd sheep and ponies in the rugged Icelandic terrain. It’s a cheerful, friendly, and inquisitive dog with a thick, weatherproof coat.

Koolie

Also known as the Australian Koolie, this is a versatile working dog prized for its stamina and intelligence. Unlike many herders, they are known for being silent workers, adaptable to herding cattle, sheep, and goats with great agility.

Lancashire Heeler

A small but sturdy dog bred to both herd cattle and hunt rats. This short-legged “heeler” is affectionate and playful, with a distinctive “heeler smile.” It is an alert and intelligent companion that is always ready for action.

McNab Shepherd

A hardworking herding dog developed in California for ranch work. Known for its stamina, intelligence, and cat-like agility, the McNab is a tireless worker that can be controlled by voice, whistle, or hand signals from long distances.

Miniature American Shepherd

A small herding dog developed from smaller Australian Shepherds. This breed packs all the intelligence, energy, and herding instinct of its larger cousin into a more compact body, making it a popular choice for dog sports and active families.

Mudi

A rare and versatile Hungarian herding dog, the Mudi is an energetic and intelligent all-purpose farm dog. It excels at herding sheep and cattle, serving as a watchdog, and participating in dog sports. It has a distinctive wavy-to-curly coat.

Norwegian Buhund

An ancient Spitz-type breed used by Vikings as an all-purpose farm dog for herding and guarding. The Buhund is a cheerful, energetic, and intelligent dog that is known for its confidence and love of family.

Old English Sheepdog

Famous for its profuse shaggy coat and ambling, bear-like gait, the OES was used for driving cattle and sheep to market. Despite its size, it is an agile and good-natured dog with a playful and clownish personality.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The more popular of the two Corgi breeds, known for its foxy face, low-slung body, and naturally bobbed or docked tail. Bred for herding cattle, the Pembroke is an intelligent, outgoing, and affectionate companion.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Known as the “PON,” this is a medium-sized, shaggy herding dog from Poland. With a lively but level-headed temperament, the PON is an intelligent and confident worker that is also a loyal and loving family member.

Portuguese Sheepdog

This lively and devoted herding dog from Portugal is known for its long, shaggy coat and intelligent expression. Nicknamed the “monkey dog” for its antics, it is an exceptionally bright and loyal breed dedicated to its flock and family.

Puli

An ancient Hungarian sheepdog famous for its naturally corded coat, which provides protection from weather and predators. The Puli is an agile, intelligent, and quick-witted herder that is fiercely loyal to its family.

Pumi

A compact Hungarian herding dog with a whimsical expression, corkscrew-curled coat, and terrier-like agility. The Pumi is an intelligent, energetic, and vocal breed, always ready for action and excelling at herding and dog sports.

Pyrenean Shepherd

A small but tenacious herding dog from the Pyrenees mountains of France. Known for its incredible energy and intelligence, this breed is a dedicated worker and a loyal, watchful companion that thrives on having a challenging job to do.

Saarloos Wolfdog

A cross between a German Shepherd and a Eurasian grey wolf, created to be a more natural working dog. The Saarloos is cautious and independent, retaining strong pack instincts. It requires experienced handling but is fiercely loyal to its family.

Samoyed

A beautiful Spitz-type dog bred by the Samoyedic people of Siberia for herding reindeer and pulling sleds. Known for its thick white coat and famous “Sammy smile,” this breed is friendly, gentle, and sociable.

Schapendoes

A lightly-built Dutch herding dog with a long, shaggy coat and a friendly, cheerful temperament. The Schapendoes is an agile and tireless worker with a remarkable jumping ability, making it an excellent sheep-herder and family pet.

Schipperke

A small, fox-like Belgian dog historically used on canal boats as a watchdog and ratter, but also classified as a herder. The “little captain” is curious, confident, and energetic, known for its mischievous and questioning nature.

Shetland Sheepdog

The “Sheltie” looks like a miniature version of a Rough Collie and was bred on the Shetland Islands for herding small sheep. Shelties are exceptionally intelligent, playful, and loyal dogs, known for being vocal and excelling in obedience and agility.

Spanish Water Dog

A rustic, multi-purpose breed from Spain used for herding, hunting, and fishing assistance. It has a distinctive woolly, corded coat that protects it in all weather. This dog is intelligent, loyal, and has a high aptitude for training.

Swedish Lapphund

An ancient Spitz-type breed developed in Sweden for herding and guarding reindeer. The Swedish Lapphund is a versatile, lively, and attentive dog known for its eagerness to please and its loud bark. It’s a loyal companion with a thick black coat.

Swedish Vallhund

Known as the “Viking Dog,” this ancient breed is a small, powerful herder with a Corgi-like appearance. Used for driving cattle, the Vallhund is an energetic, intelligent, and friendly dog with a great sense of humor.

Tornjak

A large and powerful mountain dog used for both guarding and droving livestock. The Tornjak is calm, intelligent, and fiercely protective of its family and flock. It has a long, thick coat that protects it from harsh weather conditions.

White Swiss Shepherd Dog

A breed that shares its ancestry with the German Shepherd but was developed separately to maintain its white coat. It is a loyal, intelligent, and versatile herder, known for having a slightly gentler and more mellow temperament than its German cousin.