Tag Archives: herding dogs

Anatolian Shepherds

I had never heard of an Anatolian Shepherd until yesterday when I accompanied my friend Karen to the Nashville Humane Society. (Karen wanted to see if they had a photographer doing fund raising for them like the Josephs do for the Humane Society in Jacksonville.) Turns out the NHS does have someone who does that, but their events person was very nice and gave us a tour of the facility. That’s when I saw this big white dog who was desperate to get my attention. And when she did, there was such a spark…I just may have to take Wayne … Continue reading →

What Makes a Good Search and Rescue Dog?

The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is on a mission. They are rescuing dogs, training them to save lives, and sending them out to work with firefighters and other emergency workers. This is the search dog pledge: no one is left behind. Most candidates for the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation come from shelters and breed-specific rescue groups. Dogs who are adopted by the SDF are guaranteed a lifetime of care — whether or not they work out as search and rescue dogs. Dogs that don’t complete the program are placed in loving forever homes. Active search dogs that retire … Continue reading →

Bearded Collie

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The bearded collie — also known as the Highland collie, the mountain collie, or just the Beardie — is one of Great Britain’s oldest dog breeds. Some historians believe that the breed existed in Britain during the first Roman invasion; a more popular theory is that the breed comes from the Magyar people’s shaggy herding dogs (like the Komondor and the Puli). The bearded collie was not a nobleman’s dog — the breed was popular with the herdsmen of Great Britain. But there are few early records of dogs that weren’t popular with the nobles. One of the first known … Continue reading →

Great Pyrenees

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Back home in New Jersey, my neighbor’s daughter had a Great Pyrenees named Cloud — what a perfect name for this fluffy, white breed of herding dog! Cloud is a pretty awesome dog. My dog Miko sure thought so — he loved Cloud and she could do no wrong. When she came to visit, she was allowed to eat his biscuits and flop out on his bed. Of course, she probably outweighed him by a good fifty pounds or so… so I don’t know that he could have stopped her anyway! Great Pyrenees are BIG dogs. Males can reach up … Continue reading →

Puli

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Just like the Komondor, the Puli is a Hungarian breed with a distinctive, corded coat. Where the Komondor is only white or buff-colored, the Puli may be black, gray, or white. In the two breeds, the coat is similar: a soft, wooly undercoat and a wiry, curly top coat. The coat tends to cord naturally if allowed. In dog shows, the Puli can be shown either corded or brushed (not corded). As the dog ages, the coat (corded or uncorded) can become quite long — even touching the ground! Did you know? One dog is a Puli; multiple dogs are … Continue reading →

The History of the Australian Cattle Dog

It is known by many names –Australian Heeler, Hall’s Heelers, and Queensland Heeler– and there is some dispute about which breeds were ultimately responsible for its development. The only thing where there’s no room for debate is about where it originated: Australia. Origins The Australian Cattle Dog is a newer breed of dog. They are the result of early Australian settlers needing dogs to help them tend their livestock. The dogs they brought with them from the British Isles, Smithfields, weren’t suited to Australia’s terrain, nor were their dispositions entirely suited to herding (they bit too hard and made too … Continue reading →

Bouviers des Flandres

Best in Group from the Herding Group at the Westminster Kennel Club show was the Bouvier des Flandres. This breed originated in southwest Flanders (hence the name) and on the northern plains of France, and was nearly wiped out during World War I. Most of the early breeders were farmers, butchers, and cattle merchants. The Bouvier des Flandres is a natural cattle driver and helpful herding dog. In 1910, the breed began making show appearances. When World War I broke out, the areas where the Bouvier was bred were hard-hit and nearly destroyed. Most people left the area, leaving their … Continue reading →

About Herding Group Dogs

The American Kennel Club divides show dogs into seven different groups: Sporting, Non-Sporting, Hounds, Terriers, Toy, and Working. Each group has particular characteristics in common. The Herding Group is the American Kennel Club’s newest classification, dating back to 1983. The Herding Group split off from the Working Group to include breeds with the ability to direct or control the movement of other animals. Traditionally, these dogs were used to herd livestock. Herding Group dogs are used today in parks to control flocks of geese and to move goats around for natural lawn control. Herding Group dogs are generally intelligent dogs … Continue reading →