Herding dogs make excellent pets, companions, and working dogs. Whether you have livestock needing protection, children who want a pet, or a hole in your life for an energetic dog, a herding dog breed could be the perfect choice. These dogs require lots of attention and stimulation and are usually better suited to families that are home most of the day.
Herding dogs have an instinct to control other animals’ movements. They can help to gather, herd, and protect livestock. A herding dog must have this instinct, but it will also have other characteristics that make it ideal for working dogs or as family pets. Herding dogs can be used for protection and policing work, as they are intelligent and easy to train.
The American Kennel Club recognises multiple breeds as herding dogs including the Australian Cattle dog, Australian shepherd, and Border Collie.
Below are ten popular herding breeds in Australia. Not only can these help to herd your cattle, but they also make excellent watchdogs and companions for the whole family.
Weight: 11 – 13 kg
Lifespan: 15 – 17 years
Temperament: High energy, loyal, devoted, and affectionate. They can be aloof with other dogs and pets in your home
Health issues:
Pyrenana Shepherd dogs were bred to herd livestock and can also protect livestock from predators. They have plenty of energy, making them great for herding but also as companions for active families. You need mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored, but their high intelligence levels make them easy to train.
Weight: 15 – 24 kg
Lifespan: 10 – 12 years
Temperament: Loyal, protective, and aloof to other animals and strangers
Health issues:
A Polish Lowland Sheepdog is an excellent herding and family dog. They are very loyal and will protect their family without any aggression. They can be a little aloof with strangers, but with early socialization, you can prevent this and ensure they remain happy and lovable. The adaptable dog can live in an apartment or home but will need lots of stimulation and exercise to prevent boredom.
Weight: 8.2 – 13 kg
Lifespan: 13 – 14 years
Temperament: Energetic, brave, obedient, and keen to complete tasks (either set by you or imagined by the dog)
Health issues:
Mudi’s are rare and can be tricky to find outside of Austria. They have the high energy of a sheepdog, and their appearance comes in several colours. They are typically used to herd livestock but can also perform well in dog sports or search and rescue work.
They are excellent family pets, too, with a loving nature and high intelligence levels that make them easy to train. Mudi typically likes companionship and doesn’t like to be left alone for long periods or cooped up in small spaces.
Weight: 15 – 19 kg
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Protective, energetic, playful with children, wary of new people, in need of lots of exercise
Health issues:
Norwegian Buhunds are protective dogs that make excellent herding and family dogs. They have lots of energy and thrive in homes with lots of land for them to run around and protect. They can be left alone for a few hours, but their protective nature means they will watch over your home instead of relaxing while you are out.
They can be wary of new people in the home, so you will need to introduce your dog to new faces as regularly as possible to help them trust the people you invite into your home. They are very playful with children, but their large size makes them unsuitable for small children.
Weight: 6 – 8 kg
Lifespan: 9 – 14 years
Temperament: Loyal, affectionate, intelligent, bored without exercise, and prone to separation anxiety
Health issues:
A Lakeland terrier thrives off your company and can become anxious if left alone for too long. They are perfect for someone who is home most of the day and happy to give them the attention they need. These intelligent dogs need lots of stimulation and can work as herding or sporting dogs. They are very loyal and affectionate and will engage well with children. It is best to socialise them properly to ensure they are comfortable in various situations, but you will find they prefer being outdoors to being inside.
Weight: 9 – 13 kg
Lifespan: 14-15 years
Temperament: Friendly, loving, loyal, and can chase smaller animals like rabbits
Health issues:
Icelandic Sheepdogs are excellent guard dogs, as well as sheep dogs. They are friendly and loving, loyal and happy to please their owners. You can place them in homes with small children, and they can get along with other dogs if they are appropriately socialised. However, they like to chase smaller animals, making them unsuitable for homes with rabbits.
They are very intelligent, and you can train them easily, but their sensitive nature means they are not suited to harsh training methods. Icelandic Sheepdogs are very vocal and can bark a lot, especially if they are left alone too long or don’t get the exercise they need.
Weight: 15 – 20 kg
Lifespan: 10 – 17 years
Temperament: Energetic, shy, and loyal
Health issues:
Border Collies are known for herding sheep, but their energy levels also make them excellent for dog sports. They are also a fine choice for a family dog, with a loyal and lovable temperament. They can be pretty shy as puppies, but you can address this with socialisation and puppy classes.
Border Collie’s are super energetic and require lots of mental stimulation through exercise and plenty of playtime. They can fill their time chasing dogs, children, and even cars if they aren’t stimulated. Their loyalty means they are never far behind you and can be susceptible to your movements.
Weight: 20 – 30 kg
Lifespan: 10 – 12 years
Temperament: Energetic, curious, intelligent, protective of owners, and eager to please
Health issues:
Belgian sheepdogs have plenty of energy, making them good for herding and dog shows, dog sports, and obedience competitions. They are eager to please and devoted to their owners. These dogs crave your company and love being in your presence, making them a good option if you are home most of the day.
You must provide plenty of mental stimulation for these dogs to ensure they don’t get bored or destructive. They don’t like to be left alone often and can be wary of strangers at first.
Weight: 15 – 23.5 kg
Lifespan: 11 – 14 years
Temperament: Friendly, loving, obedient, loyal, energetic, and anxious if left alone for too long
Health issues:
Australian Retrievers are very friendly and need a lot of company to be happy. They are prone to separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long, so they are better suited to families that are home often. They love mental stimulation and have lots of energy to burn off through playtime and exercise.
They are loyal dogs but can get a little overprotective if they are not trained properly. As they are intelligent, Australian Retrievers are easy to train, allowing you to train them and ensure they are appropriately socialised.
Weight: 9 – 16 kg
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Intelligent, vigilant, energetic, playful, loving, confident, loyal, and lively
Health issues:
Sweedish Vallhunds are energetic dogs that are great for herding or as companions. They have lots of energy, so you must ensure they are stimulated to prevent boredom or destructive behaviour. They are playful and loving, which is ideal for a family, especially if you have a job for them. They are designed to be working dogs and like a challenge where they can learn something new!
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