can someone help me otu with herding breeds?

Paige

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#1
I want to do some research on other herding breeds. My personal doggy experiance has pretty much only been with Shelties and Border Collies. Those are all I've ever owned.Though I love both breeds very much I am interested in venturing off from my breeds when it comes to my next dog.

I want an active, fun companion that is going to beable to keep up with me and my two border collies. High engergy dogs ar what Im all about. I want something that is going to love going out running, hiking, non-competative backyard agility, and maybe even do herding trials with. I am forsure considering adopting and breeds aren't all together THAT important. If I find the perfect dog then I find the perfect dog but for now I want to do some doggy research to keep me content until the time comes when I am ready to get another companion.

Non herding breeds are welcome too. I was also kind of interested in terriers. I'd love to hear everyone's opinion on the breeds they are suggesting. Both the positives and the negatives.

:D
 

BostonBanker

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#2
If you are just interested in breeds to look at/consider, I can tell you that I spend an awful lot of time browsing Coolie and Kelpie sites. I don't have an enormous amount of knowledge on either to share (yet). For my next dog, I want a smooth-coated herding breed who can be competitive in agility and isn't exceptionally "soft" tempered.

Do you have herding instructors near you that will work with non-BCs? If so, I'm jealous. That seems to be a huge issue in our area, and a bit of a discouragement. It is something I would really love to try.
 

Aussie Red

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#3
Depending on your experience with dogs and training an ACD may be for you. You have to be very consistent in their training as they are a bit hard headed but truly worth it in the end. They are far more intelligent then given credit for and a hard days work is what they live to do. They are Velcro dogs. Once you get bonded and have them trained you would find yourself hard pressed to go back to any other breed. But they are not for everyone. They have their faults and for one not savvy to the breed they can be a night mare and turn you off of the breed as well. They are not laid back one bit. If you are active and want a dog to keep up or out do you that is the one who will. If you are into agility they excel. If you are only occasional at activity maybe go with another breed.
 

mrose_s

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#4
ooo, ooo, ACD, kelpie koolie.

i dunno about koolies but i know kelpies are pretty rare i there.
i think my next agility dog will be a koolie, their gorgeous.

ACD's are great, their active, easy to train if you can convince them. but they do tend to have dominance issues, and apparently a lot of hunting instinct. they can be nipping if from working lines, harry is very nippy still but buster never was, but i dunno if he's from working line, i know harry is.

their compact, fast and have great stamina and athleticism.

and i know what you mean about velcro dog, i think buster and i have just "clicked" the last few months and he's constantly next to me, he stays in my bed staring at the door till i get up. harry sits outside my mums door and yaps if she won't let him in.

i look at AD rescue sites and dunno how i'll ever be without one./
 

Paige

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#5
If you are just interested in breeds to look at/consider, I can tell you that I spend an awful lot of time browsing Coolie and Kelpie sites. I don't have an enormous amount of knowledge on either to share (yet). For my next dog, I want a smooth-coated herding breed who can be competitive in agility and isn't exceptionally "soft" tempered.

Do you have herding instructors near you that will work with non-BCs? If so, I'm jealous. That seems to be a huge issue in our area, and a bit of a discouragement. It is something I would really love to try.
I am pretty much just browsing as of right now. My boys are still very young and the one is still very much in a puppy mindset still. I am waiting for them atleast to hit 4 or 5 till I seriously consider another dog. Would be way too much when it comes to training. I am still doing a lot of work with Spanky. Bandit has been much easier now that he and I have a solid bond. It took us forever to gain that.

My horse vet actually is involved in some sort of non bc herding trials. I forgot what breed but he said it was way more difficult then finding trials and a trainer for his border collie.


Depending on your experience with dogs and training an ACD may be for you. You have to be very consistent in their training as they are a bit hard headed but truly worth it in the end. They are far more intelligent then given credit for and a hard days work is what they live to do. They are Velcro dogs. Once you get bonded and have them trained you would find yourself hard pressed to go back to any other breed. But they are not for everyone. They have their faults and for one not savvy to the breed they can be a night mare and turn you off of the breed as well. They are not laid back one bit. If you are active and want a dog to keep up or out do you that is the one who will. If you are into agility they excel. If you are only occasional at activity maybe go with another breed.
Well worth looking into. I'm not shunning anything without giving it a fair looking into.
 

RD

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#7
Hmm, how about Corgis? They're spunky little dogs and I especially love the Pembrokes. They look like a BLAST to handle on livestock, once you "click" with them.

For non-BCs, AKC, ASCA and AHBA trials/trainers are very accommodating. Herding isn't as popular as agility and obedience, so you might have to drive a little ways to find an instructor, but they're out there.

You'll find that the strictly-work/function or serious trial people tend to refuse non border collies because most other breeds have been ruined for work by breeding for show or other purposes (GSDs for example, even "working bred" GSDs are usually bred for schutzhund). Their working ability is usually not very refined, so the training consists of micro-managing the dog's prey drive, working against what the dog is doing (probably running around with its tail in the air, trying to chase down the sheep and/or barking maniacally at them) and ultimately turns into a display of Obedience on Sheep rather than a job that puts the dog's natural ability to use.
 
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#9
ACDs are great little dogs. The only thing holding me back from owning one is the high incidence of DA (same reason why I don't own an APBT even though they're one of my favorite breeds). ACDs are hardheaded little monsters that give you a run for your money each and everytime. I love a challenge, I think that's why I love the breed.

What about a Belgian Malinois? Though more commonly known for bitework, they are a VERY high energy herding breed. Though not known for DA they can be handler sharp. I think I have the name of a Mal breeder in my desk (which is packed up right now, I'm moving) so if it's a breed you're interested in let me know. I have met some FANTASTIC dogs from this breeder, and when I'm in the market for a shepherd it will definitely be a Mal and it will definitely be from her.
 

LappieLover

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#10
Well, how drivey do you want your dog to be?

German Shepherds are great herders, as are rotties.

ACDs and Aussie Shepherds will herd until their legs wear out, LOL!

Just depends on what OTHER requirements you have for your dog, thins like coat, other abilities, etc.

Finnish Lapphunds can herd, but aren't quite as drivey as a BC or an Aussie.
 

Paige

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Hmm, how about Corgis? They're spunky little dogs and I especially love the Pembrokes. They look like a BLAST to handle on livestock, once you "click" with them.

For non-BCs, AKC, ASCA and AHBA trials/trainers are very accommodating. Herding isn't as popular as agility and obedience, so you might have to drive a little ways to find an instructor, but they're out there.

You'll find that the strictly-work/function or serious trial people tend to refuse non border collies because most other breeds have been ruined for work by breeding for show or other purposes (GSDs for example, even "working bred" GSDs are usually bred for schutzhund). Their working ability is usually not very refined, so the training consists of micro-managing the dog's prey drive, working against what the dog is doing (probably running around with its tail in the air, trying to chase down the sheep and/or barking maniacally at them) and ultimately turns into a display of Obedience on Sheep rather than a job that puts the dog's natural ability to use.

Corgis are actually right up there on the top of my list. I do tend to like medium to larger sized dogs better but I do like a lot of little dogs. I have never met an active Corgi though. All fat and lazy. Would they beable to keep up with my borders because I don't want a little dog I'll have to leave at home if the boys and I want to go out for a long hike or a run. (not saying all Corgis are fat and lazy! Just the cuties I've met)

It's still possible to find a non ruined, still livestock savy dog besides Border Collies though, right? I've met Shelties that are fabulous with sheep but that is about it. I was interested in German Sheperds but I really am not liking the way they look now a days. The extreme back slope does not look right to me and I want a dog that is going to be active and healthy for years to come. Not one that is going to have a bad back and sore hips. I mean if it happens it happens, but I'd rather it didn't if I were to get from a breeder instead of a shelter.
 

RD

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#12
Oh of course it's possible! I guess working dogs are kind of on the decline in a lot of breeds, though. Blarg, I can never articulate my points.

I'd talk to SizzleDog. If I recall correctly, her little Corgi girl is from working lines. Seems like her Corgi can keep up with her Dobermans.

I'm not wild about a lot of the GSDs today either, even the "working" (people seem to think breeding for schutzhund is breeding for "work") lines seem a little messed up to me. If you can find a farmer that breeds GSDs as flock tenders and guardians, then I think you hit the jackpot.
 

Paige

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#13
Whats the difference between a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Cardigan Welsh Corgi (those are the two different types right?)?
 

RD

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#14
The tail. :p

Really, I have no clue. Temperament wise, I've met both and I found the Pembrokes to be friendlier and more playful, whereas the Cardigans were kind of Border Collie-ish, quite serious and intense. I've only met a handful of Cardis though, so I might be wrong about them.
 

SizzleDog

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#15
I second corgis... they are super active, can definitely handle the bigger dogs in both play and speed, and are all around jolly little creatures. Versatile herders, easy keepers, also great for Agility and Obedience.

Besides... I'm biased... teehee!







Corgis co-exist beautifully with the "Big Dawgs"
 

SizzleDog

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#16
PS - to answer some questions...

The Difference Between the Pembrokes and the Cardigans.
Physically, the Cardi is larger, longer, and bigger boned. Pems have foxy heads, Cardis have a more houndish look. This makes sense, as Pems are more Vallhund/Spitz type, while the Cardi is more of the Dachshund type.

Pembrokes come in less colors than the Cardigan. Pembrokes have docked tails to avoid the gruesome fate of it being stepped on by a cow.


And yes, it's farily easy to find a Corgi (mostly Pems, in my expereince) that still works stock - or at least tends to the horses in the stables. Actually, one of the best places to find a working corgi breeder is to attend a horse show! My corgi mentor acquired a male Pem (who unfortunately had to be neutered after an injury) who was seen herding cattle with his mother at then tender age of 12 weeks. Now THAT'S the kind of dog I wanted, but ufortunately that breeder didn't have any breedign plans for the next few years... and I couldn't wait that long... ;)

Where are you located (state)?
 

Jynx

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#17
I will always have a herding breed.

I grew up with, and still have GSD's, and now also aussies. The GSd's are really versatile , tho the one thing that is a "negative" I've found over the years, is they tend to have alot of structural problems, and unfortunately don't have as long a life span as alot of other breeds (altho I have had long lived ones)..My main thing now is agility, and they just , structurally, aren't going to last as long as say, my aussie or border collie/shelties..that type.

Love em tho,,will always have them..I love my aussies to, but they are as different as nite & day when it comes to the GSD's, don't take life to seriously, (which can definately be entertaining), they are in it for "themselves", *vbg*..if it benefits "them" they'll do it *vbg*..but again, very versatile.

I do like corgi's, I petsit for a couple, (one is a 14 wk old puppy my god is he the cutest thing!!!!) ,,bit attitude in small packages!!

I also like pyrenean shepherds!!! Small package, lots of spunk...
Good luck with your search! Isn't it great to be able to "choose" from the so many, breeds out there?

Diane
 
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#18
It's still possible to find a non ruined, still livestock savy dog besides Border Collies though, right? I've met Shelties that are fabulous with sheep but that is about it. I was interested in German Sheperds but I really am not liking the way they look now a days. The extreme back slope does not look right to me and I want a dog that is going to be active and healthy for years to come. Not one that is going to have a bad back and sore hips. I mean if it happens it happens, but I'd rather it didn't if I were to get from a breeder instead of a shelter.
If you want a shepherd I still say find a Mal from a great breeder with nice lines . . .
 
B

BlackDog

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#19
I say Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Active enough, can keep up with your BC's. Similar looks, loves water (if your into water sports or activities). Great for agility, very smart, medium sized, not as popular as other breeds but very flashy.
 
B

BlackDog

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#20
Almost forgot. If you wanted a suggestion of terriers I'd say

jack russel or parsons russel (a little on the smaller side but very active, smart, and strong).
bull terrier
soft coated wheaten terrier
lakeland terrier
Kerry blue terrier
Airedale
border terrier
bedlington terrier
 

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