What Is a Herding Dog Breed

All Herding breeds share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. These breeds were developed to gather, herd and protect livestock. Today, some like the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd Dog are commonly used for police and protection work.

What does it mean when a dog is herding?

As the name suggests, herding breeds were developed to gather, herd, and protect livestock such as sheep or cattle. That shared heritage means they all have the instinctive skill and drive to control the movement of other animals. To a herding dog, however, “other animals” means the humans in the house, too.

What are the characteristics of a herding dog?

General Characteristics Herding breeds are typically industrious, athletic, energetic, focused, highly intelligent, fast learners and loyal. These traits describe dogs who require daily exercise, both mental and physical, for their well-being.