Herding group?

Question

Does anyone own a dog from the Herding Group?
If so how do you like it?

Answer 1

The herding group is by far the most intelligent dog breed group there is. I own an Aussie Cattle Dog and he's great. He's always ready to go and he'll run/walk/play all day. If you've got the energy level and the means to keep them stimulated , I absolutely recommend herding dogs...especially the ACD!!!

Answer 2

I grew up with a Border Collie. She was a great dog. We lived in the country and she would herd the horses back into the corral whenever they escaped (one horse was an escape artist). She didn't like cats, though - they just wouldn't cooperate.

My mom now has a Border Collie mix. When we go hiking, he spends the whole time circling us to keep us bunched together on the trail, and gets very agitated when anyone 'strays' from the group.

If you don't mind a dog that will herd everything that moves, and can make sure it gets tons of exercise every day, they're great.

Answer 3

I owned a shetland sheepdog many years ago, she was a great pet but had a tendency towards being a bit nervous and snappy, especially around kids that she wasn't familiar with.

Most dogs in the herding group are very intelligent and have high energy levels. They really do need a job to do, and make good candidates for obedience or agility work. If you don't give them an outlet for their energy and strong desire to work, they can be destructive and nervous.

They obviously have a tendency to 'herd' and in the absence of sheep or cattle they'll try to herd anything from chickens to cats, to kids etc. Some, like the Border Collie herd by nipping at the sheeps' heels, so they'll want to nip at your heels too, they can shred a pair of pant legs with this behavior!

Having said that, if you want a dog to compete in any kind of sport/activity such as obedience, agility, flyball etc. and are willing to give them tons of exercise and daily 'work'. They can make wonderful pets. Very loyal.

Answer 4

I owned and handled Old English Sheepdogs in the '70's. Mine were great pets, smart, good dispositions. High maintenance WRT coats of course.

Since that time, OES have been overbred by disreputable and irresponsible for profit breeders (FPB's) and backyard breeders who did not take (among other things) temperament into account.

Herding breeds are not for everyone. They can "nip" humans on the thighs and buttocks as hard as they "nip" a sheep - -sometimes drawing blood. This is (sadly) too often confused with an aggressive bite. They have been known to herd children and even cars.

If you are considering adopting or buying one of the herding breeds, do a ton of research and ask two tons of questions.

Adopt only from a reputable OES rescue http://www.petfinder.com

or buy only from a reputable breeder in good standing with the national breed club:

Old English Sheepdog Club of America, Inc.

Corresponding Secretary : Barb Mooers
Address: 5554 N Navajo Ave, Glendale, WI , 53217-5039
Website: http://www.oldenglishsheepdogclubofamerica.org
Email: [e-mail]

Answer 5

I had a Pembroke Welsh Corgi for 16 years and, although it's not of the herding group, it is a herder, I had an Australian Shepherd. I loved them both. I felt I couldn't do better as far as happy dogs with even temperaments. They both just had such a zest for life! I found both very trainable and anxious to please. Intelligent and loving.

The kids were younger then and didn't care for either dog trying to herd them and their friends in the back yard but it became a game with them all!

I think they make great family pets. My Corgi shed unbelievably and I am told that is common. Lots of frequent brushing will keep that hair down to manageble amounts. My Australian Shepherd almost had self-cleaning coat. He could get covered in mud and 20 minutes later, look like someone had bathed him. I have noticed not all Australian Shepherds have the same coat.

Answer 6

I had a Border Collie mix once but have known lots of herding group breeds in one form or another. My experience with all these breeds generally is that they are very smart, very active but need lots of exercise and prefer to have a job. I think this is pretty much true across the board.

Answer 7

Yes, I have two from the Herding group, my Bouvier named Shaggy, and my Olde English Sheepdog name Mitchell. They are both wonderful dogs but require a lot of grooming here is a picture of all my dogs the other two are a yellow Lab named Luke and a Terrier X named Sparky. Shaggy and Mitchell had just been groomed for the summer.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/coonrapper/DSC00002.jpg

Answer 8

I have a Border Collie and I love it! But this is not the breed for just anyone. They are very intelligent and need mental stimulation as well as excercise daily to keep them happy. To give her that mental stimulation, I have been training with my Border Collie since the day we got her. We are in Obedience Competition classes, Agility classes and just recently took on Herding lessons.

It's a wonderful breed of dog, but certainly not one you can "get by without proper training", as if they become bored, they will find ways to amuse themselves, which always results in destruction of belongings in your home.

Answer 9

I own a belgian malinois.

I love my dog. I will say they aren't for everyone, and wouldn't recommend them for a first time dog owner.

They are very intelligent, very active, very intense dogs. Without training, exercise and some sort of job, they can be destructive pets.

Bel mals do not do well outside, they need to be indoors with the family (like all dogs should).

Answer 10

I have three shelties. My oldest one ( 4 year old) herds my husband and I when we first got her. Generally, they are good watch dogs and so easy to train.