Are You Ready to Take on a Herding Dog?
Shepherd dogs are a group of breeds identified by the American Kennel Club in 1983 and are one of the most popular breeds in the world. They have a wide range of looks. From the stocky corgi to the curliest Spanish water dog. They can act as exercise buddies or astute protectors. Is this the best breed for you?
What are the main characteristics of a sheepdog? Sheepdogs are known for their high energy, loyalty, strong prey drive, and alertness.
Today, sheepdogs are no longer limited to working on the pasture. They have many jobs, from search and rescue to sports like dock diving. This group of breeds requires a dedicated, active owner, as these dogs require a lot of mental stimulation, exercise, and constant training.
Herding dogs are some of the most loveabledogs around.
Today, many herding dogs are companion pets or assigned other jobs such as service or therapy work. Despite this, they still retain the core genetically-influenced behavioral characteristics that place them in the AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized category: the “Herding Group.”
The Herding Group was recognized as a part of the Working Dog Group until 1983. As their name suggests, this group of dogs were bred to “gather, herd and protect livestock.” Many herding dog owners opt to raise them along with the livestock they are meant to protect. This means the dog lives, sleeps, and eats with the herd of sheep, cattle, etc.
Often, these dogs never step foot inside the house. So they do not develop a connection to their owners and they do not experience separation anxiety when left outside. In addition, nothing distracts them from doing their assigned job with the livestock.
How to Train Your Herding Dog
Herding dogs have strong personalities.
They need to be consistently occupied to remain happy and healthy. What is the best way to do this and ensure their cooperation in any responsibilities you give them? Provide training early on and for a large amount of their puppyhood.
In the next video, Saro the dog trainer says that herding dog owners should focus on trainingand managing their dog’s mental stimulation in their dogs’ first 2 years.
After the first 2 years, Saro says it’s safe to introduce balls and toys as entertainment. Why? You will temper the herding dog trait of obsessing over toys, which some dog owners find very challenging to manage.
