The Herding Group

Your family lifestyle and home environment, as the herding breed will need plenty of exercise and activity
The amount of time you can spend with your dog
The necessity of an enclosure to keep your herder from running off

	Australian Cattle Dog The Australian Cattle Dog is the product of six decades of crossing various breeds in an attempt to produce a herder solid enough to work in the rugged Australian terrain and climate. This scrappy, 19- to 20-inch versatile dog can work not only cattle, but also ducks, goats, and horses with skill and style. The breed maintains the appearance of the wild and unrefined, but he looks to be exactly what he is - a fearless and determined working dog, who is very good-natured.
	Australian Shepherd This well-known member of American ranches was not developed in the hills and plains of Australia but rather born and bred in the United States. This breed has existed in America for at least a century and has become a necessity on countless American farms and ranches. He is a tireless, agile, and loyal working dog who is able to manipulate and control cattle and sheep herds by nipping at their heels. He is an attractive, hard-working dog with a gentle, loving nature who is devoted to his family.
	Bearded Collie Possibly one of the oldest breeds of Britain, the Bearded Collie is an unspoiled, active dog that possesses the heartiness and agility of a true working dog. A lover of children and people, he has always been a working dog of exceptional ability and has also enjoyed popularity as a companion and showman. A shaggy, gentle, playful breed, the Bearded Collie loves playtime and requires lots of attention and exercise.
	Belgian Malinois The Belgian Malinois is a hardy working dog of gifted intelligence, courage, and ability, comparable in the home and in the field. The breed is a diligent guardian and demonstrates an even, proud temperament. Although not as popular as his look-alike cousin, the German Shepherd Dog, the Belgian Malinois has many wonderful virtues to offer an owner: he is protective, strong, affectionate, trustworthy, and an overall undemanding companion. He can be sharp and is often used as a police service dog.
	Belgian Sheepdog This longhaired, black variety sheepdog, also known as the Groenendael, is recognized by the American Kennel Club as the Belgian Sheepdog. Not just a sheepdog, the breed's versatility and inherent protective qualities make him an ideal watchdog and family guardian. Like all the Belgian herding breeds, the Belgian Sheepdog excels at a number of pursuits, including obedience, herding, sledding, agility, search and rescue, and police work. The breed's refined, yet rugged, good looks make him an effective showman as well.
	Belgian Tervuren A longhaired, fawn-to-mahogany-colored herding dog of Belgium, the Tervuren folk are thoroughly convinced that this is the most talented of the Belgian Sheepdogs. A multi talented and agile worker, he is often used as a police, military, or guide dog. The Belgian Tervuren is one of the most delightful of the shepherding breeds. Owners find him loyal, affectionate, and responsible.
	Border Collie A strong-eyed premier sheepherder of the old-type collie, the Border Collie is deemed the closest purebred representative of the old collies of Scotland, believed to be the "first" collies. The fertile, grazing border area between England and Scotland has been patrolled by the Border Collie for centuries. A rugged working dog, the Border Collie is full of exuberance and independence and possesses razor-sharp intellect and instincts. He would sacrifice all for the safety of his flock, whether animal or human, and is a very affectionate and close-bonding companion. A tireless worker, the mid-sized Border Collie needs to be put to a task at all times to avoid becoming bored, which makes the breed a natural police dog. The breed's refined, yet rugged, good looks make him an effective showman as well.
	Bouvier Dev Flandres The Bouvier, once instrumental to the subsistence of the Belgian cattle herder, today herds new admirers for his guardianship and reliability as a family dog. Rough, strong, and compact, the Bouvier is affectionate and delicate with the people he loves, especially children. Famous for his work as a police dog, cart puller, ambulance, and messenger dog in Europe during the World Wars, the Bouvier is a quick learner who understands his tasks and performs them with devotion.
	Briard Like many other strongly built herders, this sizable, handsome dog with his distinctive long coat has power without coarseness. Protective by nature, the Briard makes a good family dog and has a high requirement for human companionship and attention. An intelligent, stubborn dog, the Briard does best with a firm but loving owner who will make sure he is properly trained and socialized.
	Canaan Rescued from the Negev Desert after 2000 years, the survivors of this breed were obtained and bred successfully to provide over 400 dogs to protect distant settlements and act as war dogs. Gaining a popular revival in Israel, he is both a guard dog and a herder, aloof with strangers but loving with his family. He tends to be very vocal but is easily trained. He stands between 20-25 inches and is predominately white or white with patches of black.
	Collie The familiar Collie, due to his sweet, intelligent nature and role in movies and television as Lassie, is one of the most popular breeds and the quintessential children's companion. He is easily trained and obedient and enjoys lots of activity, faring well in obedience and agility competition. A natural watchdog, the Collie comes in two coat varieties, rough and smooth, and has a tendency to bark, which can be corrected while young. An athletic and adaptable dog, today's Collie tends to please his owner at home and in the show ring rather than in the pasture.
	German Shepherd One of the youngest and most versatile of the herding breeds, the German Shepherd traces his ancestry back to the 1890s. Although originally a herding dog, the German Shepherd's talents have proven limitless, as his proficiency in a myriad of tasks such as guardian, guide dog, police dog, search and rescue dog, and military dog speaks volumes about his popularity. A well-bred German Shepherd, given proper socialization and training, offers his owner the best of all possible worlds. He is ideally a friendly family dog who can also provide ample protection to person and property.
	Old English Sheepdog Originally developed as a cattle drover, this breed emerged in England sometime in the mid-1700s. The shaggy-coated, bobtail Old English Sheepdog is a medium-sized, powerful dog that is also quite agile and athletic. A faithful, yet self-sufficient companion, he is intelligent, trainable and even-tempered. Although by nature a herder, not a fighter, he makes an excellent guardian due to his size and fearlessness.
	Puli The distinctive Puli, known for his dense, weather-resistant coat made of woolly cords, is a smaller-sized herding dog native to Hungary where he originally guarded and herded sheep. An intelligent, stubborn breed, the Puli needs a firm owner who not only has the time to devote to training, but also has the time to keep the Puli's profuse coat groomed. One of the more unusual looking of breeds, the Puli is a playful dog who is surprisingly light-footed and quick and enjoys being an active member of the household.
	Shetland Sheepdog A small Collie-type dog native to the Shetland Islands, the Shetland Sheepdog is very popular today as both a pet and a show dog. The breed's expression and temperament, sweet and unaffected, reveal his gentle and unceasingly loyal personality. An excellent family dog, the Sheltie enjoys plenty of play and exercise and gets along wonderfully with children. They will also let the whole family know just how happy they are by barking almost incessantly while at play.
	Welsh Corgi Cardigan There are two known Welsh Corgi breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a low-to-the-ground, short-legged dog whose size and stature make it possible for him to excel at driving livestock by nipping at the animals' heels. The Cardigan is a smart and trainable dog that enjoys a challenge and is more than eager to learn. They are superb companions, not only because of their handy size, but also because of their athleticism and enthusiasm.
	Welsh Corgi Pembroke The other half of the Welsh Corgi breed, the Pembroke is one of the oldest breeds documented, with references dating back to A.D. 920. A favorite of British royalty, he is a medium-sized dog of a low stature whose moderately long and low body suggests substance and stamina. He is full of energy, quick, cunning, and loving. He is a natural at obedience and excels at other formal exercises like agility, herding, and tracking. He is valued by many as a household pet.