A sheep dog or sheepdog is generally a

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from the extinct Pleistocene wolf, and the modern wolf is the dog's nearest living relative. Do ...

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 domesticated s ...

. These include

livestock guardian A livestock guardian dog (LGD) is a dog type bred for the purpose of protecting livestock from predators. Livestock guardian dogs stay with the group of animals they protect as a full-time member of the flock or herd. Their ability to guard ...

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 m ...

* Australian Kelpie * Australian Shepherd *

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

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 P ...

* Berger Blanc Suisse * Bouvier des Flandres *

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 *

Can de Chira The Can de Chira (also known as the perro pastor altoaragonés) is a breed of herding dog from the High Aragon region of Spain. Accounts of similar dogs used by Spanish graziers to herd sheep and cattle (in Aragonese "Can de Chira" literally it ...

* Caucasian Shepherd * Can de Palleiro *

Cão da Serra de Aires The Portuguese Sheepdog ( pt, cão da Serra de Aires, literally 'dog of Serra de Aires') is a medium-sized breed of dog of the herding dog type, and is one of the indigenous regional dogs of Portugal. The Portuguese name refers to 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 of ...

* Canaan Dog *

Catahoula Leopard Dog The Catahoula Leopard Dog is an American dog breed named after Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. It became the state dog of Louisiana in 1979. It is recognized by the United Kennel Club under the name ''Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog'', while the Ame ...

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 range i ...

* Chiribaya Dog * Collies ** Bearded Collie ** Border Collie ** Rough Collie **

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 ** Welsh Sheepdog *

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 chara ...

* Cumberland Sheepdog *

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 Eur ...

English Shepherd The English Shepherd is a breed of herding dog from the United Kingdom. Description The English Shepherd is a medium-sized breed of dog, it weighs between and stands between , dogs are typically larger than bitches. The breed has a long, strai ...

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 The Pastor Garafiano is a Spanish breed of sheep dog native to the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands. The name comes from the comarca of Garafía, in the north of the island, where the breed was most common, although specimens can be fo ...

* German Shepherd *

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 The Icelandic Sheepdog, is, Íslenskur Fjárhundur, is an Icelandic breed of dog of Nordic Spitz type. It derives from dogs brought to Iceland by Viking settlers in the ninth century; it is both similar and closely related to the Buhund of N ...

Koolie The Koolie (also known as the Australian Koolie or by the historic misnomer "German Coolie") is an Australian dog breed. The Koolie is a working or herding dog which has existed in Australia since the early 19th century when it was bred fro ...

* Komondor * Lancashire Heeler *

Lapponian Herder The Lapponian Herder (Lapinporokoira or Lapp Reindeer Dog or Lapsk Vallhund) is a breed of dog from Finland, one of three Lapphund breeds developed from a type of dog used by the Sami people for herding and guarding their reindeer. Appearanc ...

* Magellan sheep dog * McNab * Miniature American Shepherd * Mudi *

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 Genera ...

* Old English Sheepdog *

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 The Berger Picard (, ) or Picardy Shepherd, is a French herding dog originating in Picardy. These dogs nearly became extinct after both World War I and World War II and remain a rare breed. Appearance The Berger Picard is a medium-sized, ...

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 * Pumi *

Pyrenean Shepherd The Pyrenean Sheepdog, the Chien de Berger des Pyrénées in French, is a small to medium-sized breed of herding dog from the Pyrenees Mountains region of France. It is found herding flocks of sheep throughout the Pyrenees alongside the much larger ...

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 mea ...

* Slovak Cuvac *

Tornjak The Tornjak (), is a breed of livestock guardian dog native to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. The name comes from the local word for a sheep pen, "". The foundation stock is made up from genetically homogeneous landrace shepherding dogs disp ...

Schapendoes The Schapendoes () or Dutch Sheepdog, is a breed of dog originating in the Netherlands. The Schapendoes was originally a herding dog and general farm dog, but today also participates in dog sports such as agility and flyball. History The Schapen ...

Schipperke A Schipperke (; ) is a small breed of dog that originated since the 1600s in Belgium. There has been a long informal debate over whether this type of dog is a spitz or miniature sheepdog. In their home country of Belgium they are considered a sma ...

* Shetland Sheepdog * Smithfield *

Swedish Lapphund The Swedish Lapphund ( sv, Svensk lapphund) is a breed of dog of the Spitz type from Sweden, one of three ''Lapphund'' breeds developed from a type of dog used by the Sami people for herding and guarding their reindeer. The expression "the bla ...

* Swedish Vallhund * Welsh Corgis: **

Cardigan Welsh Corgi The Cardigan Welsh Corgi (; Welsh for "dwarf dog") is one of two separate dog breeds known as Welsh Corgis that originated in Wales; the other is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. It is one of the oldest breeds of the British Isles. Cardigan Welsh Corg ...

** Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Livestock guardian dog breeds

Aidi The Aidi () is a Berber dog breed native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and is used as a livestock guardian, protecting herds of sheep and goats. It is most commonly found in Morocco, which holds the standard under the Fédération Cyno ...

* Akbash dog *

Aksaray Malaklisi The Aksaray Malaklısı or Malaklı Karabaş is a Turkish breed of large livestock guardian dog, from the Aksaray Province in Central Anatolia. History The Aksaray Malaklısı originates in, and is named for, the Aksaray Province in Central An ...

Armenian Gampr The Armenian Gampr ( hy, wikt:գամփռ, Գամփռ, translit=Gamp’ṙ) is an Armenian list of dog breeds, breed of flock guardian dog native to the Armenian Highlands. It falls within the Ovcharka (disambiguation), Ovcharka group of livestock ...

*Ashayeri Dog *Azerbaijani Shepherd Dog * Bakharwal dog * Bucovina Shepherd *Buryat-Mongolian Wolfhound *Cane di Mannara *

Cão de Castro Laboreiro The Castro Laboreiro Dog ( pt, cão de Castro Laboreiro, 'dog of Castro Laboreiro'), also known as the Portuguese cattle dog or Portuguese watchdog, is a dog breed of the livestock guardian type, originating from Castro Laboreiro in the norther ...

Cão de Gado Transmontano The or Transmontano Mastiff is a breed of livestock guardian dog from Portugal. It originates in the historical province of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in north-eastern Portugal, and is a rare breed confined mostly to this area. History The ...

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 * Central Asian Shepherd Dog *

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 The Iberian Penin ...

* 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 an ...

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 live ...

Himalayan Sheepdog The Himalayan Sheepdog, known locally by various names including the Bhote, Bangara or Gaddi Kutta, and sometimes called the Himalayan Mastiff, is a Dog breed, breed of livestock guardian dog from the Himalayas, covering India. The Himalayan S ...

* Kangal Shepherd *

Karakachan The Sarakatsani ( el, Σαρακατσάνοι, also written Karakachani, bg, каракачани) are an ethnic Greek population subgroup who were traditionally transhumant shepherds, native to Greece, with a smaller presence in neighbouring ...

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 The Karst Shepherd ( sl, kraški ovčar or ' ) is a breed of dog of the livestock guardian type, originating in Slovenia.

* Komondor * 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 *

Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog The Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog, ( it, ), also called Maremmano, the Maremma Sheepdog or Abruzzese Sheepdog, and Cane da Pastore Abruzzese or Pastore Abruzzese (''Abruzzese Sheepdog'' and ''Abruzzese Shepherd'', respectively) is an Italian ...

*Mazandrani dog * Mioritic Shepherd *Mongolian banhar *Mucuchies * Persian Mastiff *

Pshdar dog The Kurdish Mastiff, Assyrian Shepherd, or Pishdar dog () is a dog landrace native to the mountainous Kurdistan Region in Iraq. This dog is often used as a livestock guardian against predators and number around a few thousand heads. They have bee ...

Pyrenean Mastiff The Pyrenean Mastiff or Mastín del Pirineo is a Spanish breed of large livestock guardian dog from the autonomous community of Aragón in north-eastern Spain. It was traditionally used to protect flocks during the annual transhumance to high sum ...

Rafeiro do Alentejo The is a Portuguese breed of livestock guardian dog. It is named for its area of origin, the Alentejo region of southern Portugal. It is recognised by the Clube Português de Canicultura, and was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynolo ...

* 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 The Spanish Mastiff or Mastín Español is a breed of dog from Spain, originally bred to be a guard dog and whose specialized purpose is to be a livestock guardian dog protecting flocks and/or herds from wolves and other predators. Historical ...

Tibetan kyi apso The Tibetan Kyi Apso (Tibetan: འདོགས་ཁྱི; Wylie: 'dogs khyi) is a medium to large sized breed of livestock guardian dog originating from Tibet and the Himalayas. It is considered an ancient and rare landrace, similar in appearanc ...

* Tibetan Mastiff *

Tobet 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 ...

* Torkuz *

Vikhan Sheepdog The Vikhan is a breed of livestock guardian dog from Pakistan and India. In Pakistan, it is found specifically the Chitral region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, while in India, it is found in Himachal Pradesh. The breed's name is derived from ...

References

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

Herding breeds

Livestock guardian dog breeds

See also

References