Herding Dogs
Herding dogs have been part of the class of working dogs for centuries. They have been an important asset for those who tend to animals such as farm animals.
Training
There are specific breeds that suit the title of being a herding dog compared to others. Although they may have the natural instinct to do this they need to learn many different commands in order to be able to complete the tasks they are given. Some of these commands are:
- Bye: Which tells the dog to go to the left or clockwise around the herd they are controlling
- Away: This command tells of the dog to take the herd to the right
- Stand: The tone of voice used for this command is important. When said loudly it means to stop when said quietly it tells the dog to slow down.
- Find: when the herding dog receives this command they know that their task
is to find one of the animals that may have strayed from the herd
These are just a few of the many different types of commands that are needed to be taught to the herding dog.
Best Dog Breeds for Herding
There are a lot of dogs that fit in to this category. Which is good because it gives the individuals who need a herding dog some options. Some of the choices are:
- Australian Shepherd
- Bearded Collie
- Blue Lacy
- Border Collie
- Dutch Shepherd
- King Shepherd
- Poodle
And the list goes on.
Herding Dogs as Pets
Some working dogs cannot be considered as pets. Treating them as such could be detrimental to their abilities to work but this is not the case with the herding dogs. Not only are they a valuable resource for animal keepers but they make great pets as well. Owners who rely on herding dogs appreciate their value.
