The Herding (Pastoral) Group

Intelligent and Energetic

A Herding dog  (known as the Pastoral breed in the UK) has either been trained in herding or is a member of a breed developed for herding. Some herding breeds work well with a flock or herd of any kinds of animals; others have been bred specifically to work with certain kinds of animals and have developed physical characteristics or styles of working that enhance their ability to handle these animals. The most common herded groups include sheep, cattle and even reindeer. It is not unusual for poultry to be handled by dogs.

There has been a blurring of the term "herding dog" to include dogs whose primary function is the protection of livestock rather than herding. The German Shepherd is an example of this, having been originally bred as a herding dog but as a result of its size, strength and agility is now more commonly used as a guard dog, especially by the police, the military and security firms.  The German Shepherd is still classified as a herding or pastoral dog by both the UK and United States Kennel Clubs.

Herding dogs do not guard flocks but move them.

Due to their intelligence and beauty, herding dogs are often chosen as domestic pets. These dogs have been bred as working dogs and require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog   Australian Cattle Dog   Australian Shepherd   Bearded Collie 
Beauceron   Belgian Malinois   Belgian Sheepdog   Belgian Tervuren    Bergamasco
Border Collie    Bouvier des Flandres   Briard   Canaan Dog   Collie   Estrela Mountain Dog
Finnish Lapphund  German Shepherd    Komondor   Lancashire Heeler   Norwegian Buhund
Old English Sheepdog   Polish Lowland Sheepdog   Puli   Samoyed   Shetland Sheepdog
Swedish Vallhund    Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)   Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)