Herding breeds people?

[corgipower]

The corgis wag their tails harder for strangers than for me...They gotta sucker in new people and then - and only after they know they have you - they show their true colors

Tyr likes new people, he used to have a lot of difficulty with being ignored by people (I think he grew up believing he was a corgi). He also is quick to go into a stealth watch mode if he suspects the person may not be friendly and ready to go into a not-so-stealth alert and protect mode if he believes the person is a threat.

Nyx is suspicious of strangers, but she wasn't adequately socialized either.

When I had GSDs, they were aloof with strangers. They were friendly if you came over and met them, they were protective if you were a threat, but most of the time they were just neutral.

 

[borzoimom]

..

When I had GSDs, they were aloof with strangers. They were friendly if you came over and met them, they were protective if you were a threat, but most of the time they were just neutral.

Oh yea! Perfectly said.

 

[Laurelin]

The corgis wag their tails harder for strangers than for me...They gotta sucker in new people and then - and only after they know they have you - they show their true colors

Tyr likes new people, he used to have a lot of difficulty with being ignored by people (I think he grew up believing he was a corgi). He also is quick to go into a stealth watch mode if he suspects the person may not be friendly and ready to go into a not-so-stealth alert and protect mode if he believes the person is a threat.

Nyx is suspicious of strangers, but she wasn't adequately socialized either.

When I had GSDs, they were aloof with strangers. They were friendly if you came over and met them, they were protective if you were a threat, but most of the time they were just neutral.

I always forget that shepherds are herders and leave Shack out, lol. Shack was just the best dog all around. He was so good with kids and friendly to people, but boy could he perceive a threat when there was one. I've never met a more cool and confident dog than he. I just love that combination of very stable around people and yet always on alert. I know that I will have another shepherd when I own my own place. (Or a rottie, one of the two)

 

[Tankstar]

IMO that is the halmark of a very well socialized dog. (not nessisarly the aloof part-though I like that too ) Calm, able to go places and not harrass people/animals.

I never though of it that way lol. I do like his attitude just the way it is. somtimes he is way to aloof with people he shouldnt be. such as my boyfriends parents, I have been dating my boyfriend for 4.5 years, Blaze has known them this long as well, but to this day is still terrified of his dad. I think it is his dads "loud strong" voice he is afraid of, he is not used to it, as we dont have any one in the house with a voice like that.

Only time he harass's any one, is at the dog park. When some one has a chuck-it, he will totaly disown me and stay with them(he will come if I call, but if I dont, he will stand right next to them and play witht hem. lucky these people dont mind lol), since he loves the thrill of chasing other dogs, and showing retrivers how to properly retrive to a human (he seriously shows those dogs up. most drop the ball and wander away, Blaze will bring it right back and drop it to your feet ) lol.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Gonzo is a HYPER-sensitive dog with new people and animals... and, I also think he's a very good judge of character, as inconvenient as that is sometimes. When he meets person A (typically some one who is dog-savvy), he will sit and stare at them lovingly, and lick their hands. When he meets person B (typically some one who is loud, energetic, pushy, etc), he will ignore/avoid them, and growl softly if they force themselves on him. He has never snapped at a stranger, but he is vocal in expressing his distaste. Those are his typical responses, and usually he only reacts badly to really rude or creepy people. It's easy for me to tell whether or not he's comfortable with a new person immediately and I actually like that he's selective of his favorite people... he is so adoring of family and friends, and it makes his adoration feel that much more special.

He is a lot like Bamm; except, the opposite. He is friendly to anyone we meet out in public (unless they're very sketchy), if not passive, but when some one enters our house they are under scrutiny. However, if he has met some one ONCE and "approved" of them, he will never ever forget them. I have to introduce him gradually to new people. He has to have time to approach them and get comfortable with them, or he will follow them around the entire time they're over looking very suspicious. He has never touched a stranger, but if some one new comes over and they are running around/acting unpredictable/making Gonzo uncomfortable, he will quietly and harmlessly treat them like livestock - seriously! It's not a good thing, and I put a stop to it immediately, but it can be really comical.

Once, my friend Grote came over and we were so psyched to play Dance Dance Revolution (slightly tipsy) that I completely bypassed introducing Gonzo to him... since he seemed ok about it. Well, Grote got up on the mat as me and my friend Grace watched, and he was showing off doing an Irish jig. WHILE he was doing the Irish jig, Gonzo was underneath his feet, silently nipping at his heels. Grace and I were laughing hysterically, and Grote had absolutely no idea, he just thought we were laughing at his dance.

Living with a herding dog, particularly a high drive one, can be challenging at times... but there is never a dull moment!

 

[robstaine]

mine hates most people :s but we are working on him to change that.

 

[DanL]

Gunnar is pretty good with people. He's the typical GSD- he'll greet, then move on. Last Sunday we came home from training and my wife had a group of people over for a "biker gang" meeting (she belongs to a womens motorcycle club). Gunnar ran in, quickly ran around the room checking everyone out, then he came out into the other room with me and didn't bother with them the rest of the time they were here.

 

[PAWZ]

My bc's went as many places as I did so were not unders socialized and never met a stranger. My two now will bend themselves in half with wiggles at the sight of someone new. My aussie is more reserved and more likely to bark and be protective but will allow
strangers to pet and greet with my ok.

 

[multiple paws]

Two out of the three GSDs do fine once they realize there isn't a threat. It takes the youngest a little longer and he is not accepting of all people.....very strange to say the least.

 

[Phoenixangelwyngs]

River LOVES everybody! Shye is a lot more cautious.... mostly he wants to be petted but will often cower when he's being petted, sometimes he rolls over. Both very loving dogs. It's a lot to do with socialization and personality... Shye got his name because he wouldn't come see me as a puppy... but then the people I bought him from plopped him in my lap and he eventually curled up and went to sleep. Very shy boy.

 

[Punkygirl0101]

I think Bjorn is mixed with a herding breed...because he acts like a mini border collie or aussie!

He barks at all strangers, and he is very reserved. He won't come up to greet anyone. I think it was definitely the people I saved him from. He was only a young pup (about 3 months old when I got him). He was kept tied up to a chain link fence in someone's front yard (In 112f degree weather as well). And many, many people walked by that fence (It was on a busy street). So he must have had many people messing with him. And the loud cars...really scary for a puppy!!\

He especially barks at MEN!

 

[cinnamon]

This post makes me feel better, lol. I know herders can be aloof with strangers.

My first sheltie liked people he knew but didn't like alot of affection--a quick pat and off he went. He wasn't fond of kids but tolerated them and they were allowed to pet him when I was with him.

My sheltie now is more timid. She doesn't like kids at all. It took the trainers at obedience almost 6 wks to be able to give her a pat. But I know she'll never leave with a stranger, lol. I know she wasn't abused before I got her at 4mths. She doesn't like men either. My son's friends come over alot and she'll snort a bit and go hide in another room.

Yet, I've gone to shows and have visited the breeder when she had other puppies and they are friendly and begging for attention.

My neighbour has a sheltie and he's the same as my first--he basically ignores you but will let you say hello and give him a pat. Then give him his space

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

Caiza is great with people "Outside" his home but very territorial when it comes to strange people entering his domain. Australian Cattle Dogs are naturally suspicious of strangers as it is apart of the breed. I grew up with GSD's all my life and they are protective but Caiza has shown me that ACD's will go above and beyond to protect there people and after comparing him to the GSD's that I have known and had throughout my life...... My 60 lb ACD wins the award for most protective I feel safer with him than I ever did with my 90 - 120 lb GSD's :lol-sign:

 

[mrose_s]

Thats all so true Red, I love our 2 boys, Buster acts more like a blue kelpie but Harry is ACD through and through, I know he would give his life for us, but according to him everyone else can get screwed.
Its so sad to see him the way he is though, his very poor breeing and whatever abuse he copped in the 4 months of life before we got him has stuck fast and while he has a lot of issues, he's such a good dog at heart. He is happiest when he knows whats expected of him, he hates being confused and he HATES doing anything wrong.

In the right environment, with the right breeding they can be such amazing dogs, but they're a breed that I've seen go so wrong so many times. I'd love to have more ACD's/mixes in future, but not till I'm more confident I can control behaviours before they begin and even then I would only go to a good breeder, or a rescue atleast 2.5 years old.

One reason I love Caiza so much is because he's such a good example of what the breed can be. They are just everywhere here, and more often then not they are a ball of uncontrolled aggression in one form or another.

 

[RD]

My Border Collies are all friendly to varying degrees. Dakota is tolerant of strangers, though for the most part he can do without much affection from them. Dash is very friendly (she'll openly solicit attention from anyone) and Eve is a complete love slut. I socialized all of them extensively, and while they're nuts as puppies, I find that they grow a lot more aloof as they age. Dakota used to be -too- friendly, and now I'm glad I socialized him as much as I did, or I'd probably be dealing with a dog that wasn't tolerant of strangers.

 

[Lizmo]

and Eve is a complete love slut.

Bwahaha! I like that term. Now I know what to call Blaze :lol-sign: