Herding Dogs
Livestock Drivers (collies, shepherds) were bred to help farmers move herds
of livestock. They do so by chasing, bumping into and nipping at the members of
the herd that stray or lag. They are always alert and will be bored without
interesting training. These dogs prefer to have company of other animals at all
times. They have upright ears and some are born with no tails.
Livestock Guards (Great Pyrenees, Pulik, Komondor) are independent and can be
suspicious or aloof with strangers. They are bred to protect herds of animals
from predatory wildlife such as coyotes and wolves. Breeders often take puppies
at a very young age and raise them with the herd of animals they will live with.
These are all large dogs that are comfortable resting with the herd all day and
traveling distances over long periods of time. Many of these breeds have
unusually long coats.
