A sheep dog or sheepdog is generally a dog or breed of dogs historically used in connection with the raising of

sheep Sheep or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are domesticated, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus '' Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to domesticate ...

. These include livestock guardian dogs used to guard sheep and other livestock and

herding dogs Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group (herd), maintaining the group, and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. Herding can refer either to the process of animals forming herds in ...

used to move, manage and control sheep and other livestock.

Herding breeds

Australian Cattle Dog The Australian Cattle Dog (ACD), or simply Cattle Dog, is a breed of herding dog originally developed in Australia for droving cattle over long distances across rough terrain. This breed is a medium-sized, short- coated dog that occurs in two ...

Australian Kelpie The Australian Kelpie, or simply Kelpie, is an Australian sheepdog capable of mustering and droving with little or no guidance. It is a medium-sized dog and comes in a variety of colours. The Kelpie has been exported throughout the world and is ...

Australian Shepherd The Australian Shepherd is a breed of herding dog from the United States. The name of the breed is technically a misnomer, as it was developed in California in the 19th century; the breed was unknown in Australia at the time. It is claimed that A ...

Basque Shepherd Dog The Basque Shepherd Dog, eu, Euskal Artzain Txakurra, italic=no, es, Perro de Pastor Vasco, italic=no, is a traditional Spanish breed of sheepdog originating in the historic Basque Country. It is believed that they originated from Central Europ ...

Beauceron The Beauceron is a herding dog breed originating from the plains of Central France. The Beauceron is also known as Berger de Beauce (sheepdog from Beauce) or Bas Rouge (red-stockings). History A French herding breed known for centuries in west ...

* Belgian Shepherds ** Groenendael ** Laekenois ** Malinois **

Tervuren Tervuren () is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in Flanders, Belgium. The municipality comprises the villages of Duisburg, Tervuren, Vossem and Moorsel. On January 1, 2006, Tervuren had a total population of 20,636. The total a ...

Bergamasco Shepherd The Bergamasco Shepherd, it, Cane da Pastore Bergamasco, italic=no, is an Italian breed of sheepdog. It originated in the Alpi e Prealpi Bergamasche, where it was used as a herding dog for both sheep and cattle. History The origins of the ...

Berger Blanc Suisse The White Swiss Shepherd Dog or (german: link=no, Weisser Schweizer Schäferhund, it, Pastore Svizzero Bianco) is a Swiss breed of shepherd dog. It descends from North American White Shepherds imported to Switzerland; the White Shepherd itself ...

Bouvier des Flandres The Bouvier des Flandres is a herding dog breed originating in Flanders, Belgium. They were originally used for general farm work including cattle droving, sheep herding, and cart pulling, and nowadays as guard dogs and police dogs, as well a ...

Bohemian shepherd Bohemian or Bohemians may refer to: *Anything of or relating to Bohemia Beer * National Bohemian, a brand brewed by Pabst * Bohemian, a brand of beer brewed by Molson Coors Culture and arts * Bohemianism, an unconventional lifestyle, origin ...

Briard The Briard or is a French breed of large shepherd dog, traditionally used both for herding sheep and to defend them. It was first shown at the first Paris dog show, in 1863; the first Briard to be registered in the ''Livre des Origines Franç ...

* Can de Chira *

Caucasian Shepherd The Caucasian Shepherd Dog or Caucasian Ovcharka is a large livestock guardian dog native to the countries of the Caucasus region, notably Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ossetia, and Dagestan. It was developed in the Soviet Union from about 192 ...

Can de Palleiro The Can de Palleiro is a traditional Spanish dog breed, breed of shepherd dog from the Autonomous provinces of Spain, autonomous province of Galicia (Spain), Galicia in north-western Spain. It was recognised by royal decree in 2001, and the stud ...

* Cão da Serra de Aires * Carea Castellano Manchego *

Carea Leonés The Carea Leonés ( English: Leonese Sheepdog) is a breed of herding dog from León, Castile and León, Spain ( Europe), and is used as a sheepdog. For centuries, they tended flocks of Churra (sheep) in the mountains of the historical region o ...

Canaan Dog The Canaan Dog is the oldest breed of pariah dog still existing and abundant across the Middle East. It can be found in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and the Sinai Peninsula, and these, or dogs nearly identical, were also found in Iraq and S ...

* Catahoula Leopard Dog *

Catalan Sheepdog The Catalan Sheepdog ( ca, Gos d'atura català, es, Pastor catalán) is a breed of Catalan Pyrenean dog used as a sheepdog. This dog is bred in Europe, especially in Spain, Finland, Germany, and Sweden. Appearance Catalan sheepdogs rang ...

Chiribaya Dog The Chiribaya Dog ( es, perro Chiribaya) or Peruvian Shepherd Dog (') is an extinct pre-Columbian breed of dog from the southwest of Peru. It has been established that it was a llama herding dog. The dogs were not only an important part of the ...

* Collies **

Bearded Collie The Bearded Collie, or Beardie, is a herding breed of dog once used primarily by Scottish shepherds, but now mostly a popular family companion. Bearded Collies have an average weight of . Males are around tall at the withers while females are ...

Border Collie The Border Collie is a Scottish breed of herding dog of medium size. Widely considered to be the most intelligent dog breed, they are descended from landrace sheepdogs once found all over the British Isles, but became standardised in the Ang ...

Rough Collie The Rough Collie (also known as the Long-Haired Collie) is a long-coated dog breed of medium to large size that, in its original form, was a type of collie used and bred for herding sheep in Scotland. More recent breeding has focused on the Co ...

Scotch Collie The Rough Collie (also known as the Long-Haired Collie) is a long-coated dog breed of medium to large size that, in its original form, was a type of collie used and bred for herding sheep in Scotland. More recent breeding has focused on the Co ...

Smooth Collie The Smooth Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for herding. It is a short-coated version of the Rough Collie of Lassie fame. Some breed organisations consider the smooth-coat and rough-coat dogs to be variations of the same breed. ...

Welsh Sheepdog The Welsh Sheepdog ( cy, Ci Defaid Cymreig, ) is a Welsh breed of herding dog of medium size from Wales. Like other types of working dog, Welsh Sheepdogs are normally bred for their herding abilities rather than appearance, and so they are gene ...

Croatian Sheepdog The Croatian Sheepdog is a dog breed from Croatia. Description Appearance The Croatian sheepdog is of low to medium height and the base color is always black, although there may be very small patches of white on its chest and/or toes. A char ...

Cumberland Sheepdog Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 1974 ...

Dutch Shepherd The Dutch Shepherd is a herding dog of Dutch origin. They were used by shepherds and farmers who needed a versatile dog, with few demands, and a dog that was able to adapt to a harsh and meager existence. History Origins of the Northern Eu ...

* English Shepherd *

Finnish Lapphund The Finnish Lapphund (or Finnish Lapponian Dog) – fi, Suomen Lapinkoira– is a hardy, easy going, medium-size dog breed, breed of Spitz type. Traditionally it has been used for herding reindeer. Although it is one of the most popular dog b ...

* Garafian Shepherd *

German Shepherd The German Shepherd or Alsatian is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs from 1899. It was originally bred as a herding dog, for ...

Gaucho sheepdog The Gaucho Sheepdog ( pt, Ovelheiro gaúcho) is a dog breed that originated in the Pampas, Brazil.

Huntaway The Huntaway (also known as the New Zealand Huntaway) is a large, strongly-built breed of dog used for general sheep-herding tasks in New Zealand, where they originate. They were bred to use their loud, deep bark to drive sheep. The breed dates ...

* Icelandic Sheepdog * Koolie *

Komondor The Komondor (), also known as the Hungarian sheepdog, is a large, white-coloured Hungarian breed of livestock guardian dog with a long, corded coat. Sometimes referred to as 'mop dogs', the Komondor is a long-established dog breed commonly e ...

Lancashire Heeler The Lancashire Heeler is a small breed of dog developed for use as a drover and herder of cattle. The Lancashire Heeler is listed by the Kennel Club (UK) as an endangered breed. Description Appearance The coat is harsh and smooth with a ...

* Lapponian Herder * Magellan sheep dog * McNab * Miniature American Shepherd *

Mudi The Mudi is a herding dog breed from Hungary. It is closely related to the Puli and Pumi, from which it was separated in the 1930s. They continue to be used in herding, as well as participating in a variety of dog sports. History The ...

New Zealand Heading Dog The New Zealand Heading Dog is a working and herding dog that uses its visual prowess, intelligence and quick movement to control sheep. Bred from Border Collies, Heading Dogs are a sturdy, long-legged and even-haired breed. They are generally bla ...

Norwegian Buhund The Norwegian Buhund ( no, Norsk buhund) is a breed of dog of the spitz type. It is closely related to the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Jämthund. The Buhund is used as a watch dog and an all purpose farm and herding dog. Description Gene ...

Old English Sheepdog The Old English Sheepdog is a large breed of dog that emerged in England from early types of herding dog. Obsolete names for the breed include Shepherd's Dog and . The nickname ''Bob-tail'' (or ''Bobtail'') originates from how dogs of the bre ...

Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai The Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai is an old Italian dog breed from the northeastern region called Triveneto. It is not recognized by any major kennel organisation. Origin In 2018, a genetic study found that just prior to 1859 a broadly ...

* Picardy Shepherd *

Polish Lowland Sheepdog The Polish Lowland Sheepdog ( pl, Polski Owczarek Nizinny, also PON), is a medium-sized, shaggy-coated, sheep dog breed native to Poland. Description Appearance The PON is a muscular, thick-coated dog. The double coat can be of any color or p ...

Polish Tatra Sheepdog The Tatra Shepherd Dog, pl, Polski Owczarek Podhalański, italic=no, is a Polish breed of large flock guardian dog originating in the Tatra Mountains of the Podhale region of southern Poland. It was fully recognised by the Fédération Cynolog ...

* Portuguese Sheepdog *

Puli dog The Puli is a small-medium breed of Hungarian herding and livestock guarding dog known for its long, corded coat. The tight curls of the coat appear similar to dreadlocks. A similar-looking, but much larger breed – also Hungarian – is the ...

* Pumi * Pyrenean Shepherd *

Rottweiler The Rottweiler (, ) is a breed of domestic dog, regarded as medium-to-large or large. The dogs were known in German as , meaning Rottweil butchers' dogs, because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat ...

* Slovak Cuvac * Tornjak * Schapendoes * Schipperke *

Shetland Sheepdog The Shetland Sheepdog, often known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog that originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. The original name was ''Shetland Collie,'' but this caused controversy amongst Rough Collie breeders of the time, so ...

* Smithfield * Swedish Lapphund *

Swedish Vallhund The Swedish Vallhund, also known as the ''Västgötaspets'' and Swedish cow dog, is a Dog breed, breed of dog native to Sweden. The breed's name, ''Vallhund'', when translated into English, means herding dog, as the Swedish Vallhund was origi ...

* Welsh Corgis: ** Cardigan Welsh Corgi **

Pembroke Welsh Corgi The Pembroke Welsh Corgi (; Welsh for "dwarf dog") is a cattle herding dog breed that originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is one of two breeds known as a Welsh Corgi. Pembroke Welsh Corgis descended from the Spitz family of dogs. The other i ...

Livestock guardian dog breeds

* Aidi * Akbash dog * Aksaray Malaklisi * Armenian Gampr *Ashayeri Dog *Azerbaijani Shepherd Dog * Bakharwal dog * Bucovina Shepherd *Buryat-Mongolian Wolfhound *Cane di Mannara * Cão de Castro Laboreiro * Cão de Gado Transmontano *

Carpathian Shepherd Dog The Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog ( ro, Ciobănesc Românesc Carpatin) is a large breed of livestock guardian dogs that originated in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. History In March 1998, a group of fans of the Carpathian Shepherd Dog f ...

Caucasian Shepherd Dog The Caucasian Shepherd Dog or Caucasian Ovcharka is a large livestock guardian dog native to the countries of the Caucasus region, notably Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ossetia, and Dagestan. It was developed in the Soviet Union from about 192 ...

Central Asian Shepherd Dog The Central Asian Shepherd Dog, also known as the Alabay, Alabai ( kz, Төбет , lang-tk, Alabaý ) and Volkodav, is a livestock guardian dog breed. Traditionally, the breed was used for guarding sheep and goat herds, as well as to protect a ...

Estrela Mountain Dog The Estrela Mountain Dog ( pt, cão da Serra da Estrela) is a large breed of dog from the Estrela Mountains of Portugal bred to guard herds and homesteads. It is "one of the oldest breeds in the Iberian Peninsula." Description Coat ...

* Georgian Shepherd *Ghadrejani dog *

Great Pyrenees The Pyrenean Mountain Dog (french: Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées) is a breed of livestock guardian dog from France, where it is commonly called the Patou. The breed comes from the French side of the Pyrenees Mountains that separate France ...

Greek Shepherd The Greek Shepherd or Greek Sheepdog (Greek: Ελληνικός Ποιμενικός, ''Ellinikós Pimenikós'') is a breed of livestock guardian dog from Greece. Thought to be ancient in origin, the Greek Shepherd is very closely related to lives ...

* Himalayan Sheepdog * Kangal Shepherd * Karakachan *

Kars Kars (; ku, Qers; ) is a city in northeast Turkey and the capital of Kars Province. Its population is 73,836 in 2011. Kars was in the ancient region known as ''Chorzene'', (in Greek Χορζηνή) in classical historiography (Strabo), part of ...

* Karst Shepherd *

* Koyun dog *

Kuchi Kochis or Kuchis (Pashto: کوچۍ Kuchis) are pastoral nomads belonging primarily to the Ghilji Pashtuns. In the southern, western and northern regions of Afghanistan they are also referred to at times as maldar (Pashto: مالدار maldar, ...

Kuvasz The Kuvasz is a traditional Hungarian breed of flock guardian dog. Mention of the breed can be found in old Hungarian texts. They have historically been royal guard dogs, or guarded livestock, but have been increasingly found in homes as pets ...

* Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog *Mazandrani dog * Mioritic Shepherd *Mongolian banhar *Mucuchies * Persian Mastiff *

* Pshdar dog * Pyrenean Mastiff * Rafeiro do Alentejo * Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog * Sardinian Shepherd Dog *

Šarplaninac The Šarplaninac ( sr-Cyrl, Шарпланинац; mk, Шарпланинец; sq, Qeni i Sharrit), formerly also known as Illyrian Shepherd Dog (Macedonian and Serbian: Илирски Овчар, Ilirski Ovčar; sq, Deltari Ilir), is a do ...

* Shirak Sheepdog * Slovak Cuvac * Spanish Mastiff * Tibetan kyi apso *

Tibetan Mastiff The Tibetan Mastiff ( bo, འདོགས་ཁྱི, THL: , Wylie: ) * Nepali: * Mongolian: * Hindi/ Garhwali/ Kumaoni: * Kashmiri: * Ladakhi: * Dzongkha: is a large size Tibetan dog breed. Its double coat is medium to long, subject t ...

* Tobet * Torkuz * Tornjak * Vikhan Sheepdog

References

Dog roles Human–animal communication Working dogs Sheep farming {{Dog-stub

Herding breeds

Livestock guardian dog breeds

See also

References