Sheepdogs 

This group includes breeds that for millennia have been supporting people to guard herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. From ancient times, the dog had other skills than the hunter, including the guard. There was always a danger that herds of wild animals to be pillaged and even people. Dog under the guidance of man, became the most devoted guardian of herds, ready to repel aggressors, people or animals.

First sheepdogs were massive, strong, courageous, ready to jump at the throat of the wolf, bear and other predators. Great spread of these dogs is due to development over thousands of years of human concerns for livestock, a commercial changes occurring between different human communities, the migration of peoples, especially asian ones that led to contact different canine populations and hence the formation of new breeds.

For centuries they have been used only to guard flocks and herds. Beginning in the nineteenth century with the threat removal wildlife by drastically reducing their number, herding dogs began to receive and meet with ease and other tasks such as search and bring stray animals to herd, guard households, farms with animals. Today they are appreciated and used in many other activities and areas: companions of the blind, mountain rescue, dog intervention in case of natural disasters, fires,drug screening and as a valued companion dog.

Herding dogs are sturdy, weatherproof, intelligent, lively, easily understand what is required, have initiative, are brave and protective of its owner and property.

If used for other purposes than those they are guarding flocks recommend active people who have time and energy to keep up with them. When not given something to do, they will find themselves something that could not master suits such as digging at the roots of trees or in different places, chewing on shoes, etc. They like movement, long walks, always have occupation. Doing well and with pleasure in various dog sports such as flyball, agility exercises, dressage. Participation in various forms, from physical activities, keep your dog in shape.

A training firm, consistent, balanced, varied, but no severe, tough, no physical punishment, it can get very good results especially in some breeds or specimens such as German Shepherd, Border Collie and others.

Bearded Collie ( Beardie, Highland Collie, Mountain Scotch collie )

Origin: Scotland

Height: 51.0 - 56.0 cm

Weight: 18.0 - 27.0 kg

Breed history: very old breed, descendant of European shepherd dogs (Lawland) and British. In the 40's came to the verge of extinction but was saved in the late 60s in North America.

Description: it is a medium sized dog with long, thin body, muscular but not heavy. It has a beautiful silhouette. The head is massive, broad in proportion to the body with a powerful muzzle, square. Medium length ears hang close to the head and covered with long hair. The eyes are large, slightly oblique, bright, expressive. Medium length tail is covered with long hair and wears a low position at rest and up, but not over the back, on alert. The body is covered with a downy undercoat dense and silky with an outer layer composed of long hair, smooth and quite harsh. Chin hair has a moderate length but stretches towards the chest, forming a kind of beard (hence the name). The feet are covered with hair and between fingers. Hair can be scarlet, reddish brown with or without white spots or sand color. Eyes and nose are complementary hair color.

Beauceron ( Berger de Beauce )

Origin: France

Height: 61.0 - 70.0 cm

Weight: 27.0 - 40.0 kg

Breed history: is an ancient french breed. The ancestor of the Persian Shepherd dog is brought by the Romans in Gaul in the thirteenth century. Improved breed by crossing native dogs dog Deer Hound brought from England. Originally called "plain dog" and only in 1863 was named Beauceron first canine exhibition in Paris. Briard is akin to both flock guarding breeds French. In the nineteenth century was short-haired variety called the Beauceron and the Briard stuck with long hair. We find mainly in France and recently in other parts of Europe and North America.

Description: it is a large dog, solid, rustic, strong, well built and muscular body. The head is long in proportion with the body, with smooth lines, eyes slightly oval, dark, intelligent and a black nose. The ears are short, set high and naturally left or cut to be lifted. Long tail forms a slight hook at the top. The fur is thick and double outer hair short, thick, coarse, well attached to the body. Is black with brown spots and is called bicolor or "bas rouge" and gray areas in coat color is called the harlequin.

Bergamasco ( Cane da pastore Bergamasco )

Origin: Italy

Height: 55.0 - 62.0 cm

Weight: 26.0 - 38.0 kg

Breed history: the origin of this breed is not well known. After some descended from Persian shepherd, and by others as the descendant of Molossian Tibetan herding. It resembles in appearance with French Briard shepherd that presumably is related. After the Second World War the breed was on the brink of extinction but animal lovers are saved.

Description: it is a medium sized dog, well built, with strong muscles, with a body more long than tall. The head is long, broad and slightly domed skull between the ears, nose straight with a big black nose. Ears are triangular, lying, short and covered with soft hair, slightly wavy, fringed edge. The coat is double, with a thick layer which tends to be long-felting and an outer layer rich tufted curled and tangled hair (strands). Forehead, very long hair falls over his eyes, covering her fur may be gray in all shades, to complete black, gray-yellow with brown spots. It may or may not have white or black spots.

Bobtail ( Old english sheepdog )

Origin: England

Height: 52.0 - 60.0 cm

Weight: 22.0 - 35.0 kg

Breed history: it is the oldest English dog whose origin is not determined exactly. It is assumed that the same origin, namely Shepherd Briard by Shepherd Persian and developed over the years. Bobtail was named for being born with a short tail. In the past his owners were cutting her tail to avoid paying luxury tax levied on dogs.

Description: it is a large dog, strong body with a fairly short stocky and sturdy looking square. The head is large, more square muzzle equal in length to the skull, prominent arches. The eyes are different colors (brown, blue or a combination of these two colors) and can not see under the hair rich. The ears are medium sized, rounded at the top and left. The tail is short, can be cut or is born without a tail. The coat is double with a thick and waterproof inner layer. The outer layer is long, dense, coarse, covering the entire body including legs and is gray in all colors with or without white spots.

Border Collie

Origin: Great Britain

Height: 45.0 - 56.0 cm

Weight: 18.0 - 22.0 kg

Breed history: it is an ancient breed increased in Britain during the Roman Empire. Border region derives its name from where he was raised to guard flocks of sheep.

Description: it is medium sized dog, rather long than tall, slim, muscular. It has a flat head, strong muzzle same length as the skull and pointed toward the nose. The ears are medium sized, worn down or lifted. The eyes are oval, the right size, color brown, blue or partially blue. Tail of medium length left both rest and in activity. The coat is double with a long outer coat and soft mane and white spot on the forehead, different colors but mostly black and white, but white does not dominate again.

Bouvier des Flandres ( Shepherd of Flanders, Vlaamse Koehond )

Origin: Belgium

Height: 59.0 - 68.0 cm

Weight: 27.0 - 40.0 kg

Breed history: this breed has grown and developed in the Flanders region of Belgium. It's a Dog's successor of Brabant which was later crossed with the Picardy Shepherd. Even if a few hundred years old, was recognized only in 1910. Improving race dealt Belgian Army Captain Darby. It spread to other countries in Europe (France, Italy, Holland, Germany) and 1930 in the U.S.A. It was used in World War I as a messenger or carrier of drugs.

Description: it is a large dog, strong, square body, stocky vigorous and muscular legs. The head is large, slightly conical snout and shorter than the skull. The eyes are oval, dark brown. Ears are triangular and cut natural left to sit high and very mobile. The head has a massive appearance is given by the whiskers, beard and bushy eyebrows. The tail is about 10 cm, dress up or can be born without tails. The coat is double layered with a soft and dense undercoat and an outer coat harsh, shaggy, slightly wavy without being frizzy, color matte, dull. Can be colored brown, gray-iron, salt and pepper or black. Some specimens have a small white spot on his chest.

Briard ( Chien berger de Brie )

Origin: France

Height: 56.0 - 68.0 cm

Weight: 32.0 - 38.0 kg

Breed history: very old breed, descended from the same Persian as Beauceron dog, which is related closely. He was cross with Deer Hound dogs, Barbet, Griffon. Name the first race was fixed Canine Exposition in Paris in 1883.

Description: this dog is big, strong, muscular, well proportioned with a springy gait. The head is relatively wide, covered with long hair and beard forming rich finished with a black nose, square. Round eyes wide, too big, black, horizontal position, are covered with hair on the forehead and eyebrows. It has medium sized ears, left natural or cut to be lifted. Long tail to the hock, bushy and is carried hanging with the tip back. Hair is 5-7 cm long, rough with slight waves. It can be any color besides white, but often meets black.

Australian Cattle Dog ( Blue Heeler, Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Red Heeler )

Origin: Australia

Height: 42.0 - 51.0 cm

Weight: 15.0 - 20.0 kg

Breed history: the origin of this breed are many opinions, it seems that resulted from mating wild Australian Dingo Dog Collars with blue gray, then a dalmatian, resulting a cattle dog Australian climate resistant and which we meet today.

Description: it is a medium sized dog with a balanced body, strong, robust. It has a broad head, strong, medium sized nose cone. Eyes are suitable in size, oval, dark brown. The ears are relatively small, distant, pointed at the top and raised. The tail is long, hanging at rest, high up in the back on alert. The coat is double layered blue (can be simple, freckled or spotted) and red with or without patches of darker shades.

Cao da Serra de Aires ( Serra de Aires Mountain dog, Shepherd of Serra de Aires Cao Macaco )

Origin: Portugal

Height: 41.0 - 56.0 cm

Weight: 12.0 - 18.0 kg

Breed history: this breed with origins in ancient herding dogs brought by the Roman legions in Europe during the conquest. In the beginning this breed have characteristics Pyrenees. Later, in the early 20th century, Count of Castro Guimarães (owner of Montain Serra de Aires Alenteo region - hence the name of the dog), in his desire to improve the breed, crossed with local dogs Briard thus obtaining Cao da Serra de Aires today.

Description: it is a medium sized dog, rustic, strong, muscular, well proportioned with a springy gait. The head is wide enough, not too long, covered with long hair, rich with a black nose, rounded. Round eyes, medium, dark, horizontal position, are covered with hair on the forehead and eyebrows. Are dark and the eyelids are well pigmented. It has a look alert and intelligent. It has medium sized ears, left natural or cut to be lifted. The tail is set high and is long to the hocks, bushy and sharp tip and back, worn hanging. The coat is very rich, smooth and slightly wavy. There is only one layer of fur. The most common color is black, but meet and varieties in gray, yellow, brown with tan markings. May have white spots on the chest, but that's all.

Australian Shepherd ( Aussie )

Origin: U.S.A.

Height: 45.0 - 58.0 cm

Weight: 16.0 - 34.0 kg

Breed history: this breed originated in the Pyrenees, the Basque Country, on the border between Spain and France. Shepherds basti emigrated to Australia with their dogs and here in North America where American farmers have developed the breed.

Description: it is a medium sized dog, rather long than tall. She has a strong head slightly domed flat. Slightly pointed muzzle is the same length or slightly smaller than the skull, eyes are hazel, blue or combination of these colors. Triangular ears set high on the head are worn routinely fell before the dog is attentive. The chest is prominent but not wide. The tail is short, maximum 10 cm, right and sometimes missing. The coat is double layered with a dense undercoat and an outer medium length straight or slightly wavy. Males have thicker fur than females. The coat has different colors: scarlet, dark red, black, blue, full black, full brown with or without white spots or brown.

Shepherd of Picardy ( Berger Picard Picardy Shepherd )

Origin: France

Height: 55.0 - 65.0 cm

Weight: 25.0 - 38.0 kg

Breed history: even if it is an old breed, descended from herding dogs from the Middle Ages, was recognized only in 1925. He participated with the Beauceron and Briard first Canine Exposition of 1863 in Paris.

Description: it is a medium to large dog, rectangular, vigorous, muscular elegant looking. The head is massive, broad skull of the same length muzzle that is slightly tapered and finished with a big black nose. The head is covered with long hair, beard and whiskers forming. The eyes are medium sized and dark brown color. The ears are medium in size, broad at the base, sharp and high. The tail is long and slightly curved at the top. The coat is double with the outer layer of medium length, coarse and wiry. Coat colors are dark red, gray, black, silver, gray red in various shades.

Pyrenean Shepherd ( Berger, Pyranean Shepherd )

Origin: France

Height: 38.0 - 50.0 cm

Weight: 18.0 - 24.0 kg

Breed history: very old French breed that supposedly descended from the small Tibetan terrier brought into the area by migratory peoples. Many believe that increased along with the massive dog of the Pyrenees, which descended from Tibetan dogs Molossian. He became known for its use by soldiers during WW I. He was recognized in 1926. It spread to France and Italy.

Description: it is a small to medium dog, being the smallest of the French herding dogs. The body is harmoniously built, sturdy and quite slim with a flat head, triangular (resembles head brown bear), trapezoidal and short muzzle with black nose. The eyes are large, hazel or blue. The ears are short, wider at the root, round the top and raised. There are two varieties: the first has a shorter body hair less often and back against the grain, and the queue is not too long, fringed at the end to form a hook, coat color may be red with black yarn, gray with white spots or harlequin color, the second variety has his head covered with short and fine hair (also called face race) and the rest of the body hair is 4-5 cm longer neck and withers, fringed legs. The tail is long and bent at the top and can be cut. Wool colors are all shades of black and harlequin.

Shetland Sheepdog ( Shetland Sheepdog, Sheltie )

Origin: Scotland

Height: 33.0 - 40.0 cm

Weight: 9.0 - 11.0 kg

Breed history: Shetland is named after the name of NW Scotland where he grew the offspring of the Scottish Border Collie dogs brought to Greenland whalers. Other crosses made ​​later Spitz dogs have completed the relatively small size of these dogs. Although the fur resembles Collie Collie seemed to be a dwarf, not features.

Description: it is a small to medium dog with a less elongated body, muscular. The head is narrow, well-defined, equal in length to skull nose and black nose. Eyes are medium size, oblique, almond shaped and dark brown or blue color to the gray fur ceniusiu. Ears are small, set high and bent forward. The tail is long, rich hair and left worn and bent tip. The coat is double with a lower layer often harsh, with long mane and chest collar and the outer layer is fluffy, soft and pasted on the body. The color coat is usually a combination of many colors: deep black, red and gray, blue gray with white or cream spots on chest, paws and tail tip (but not less than 50%).

Maremma Sheepdog

Origin: Italy

Height: 60.0 - 73.0 cm

Weight: 30.0 - 45.0 kg

Breed history: the origin of this breed is not well known. Supposedly descended from Asian herding dogs. It is a very ancient Italian breed officially recognized in 1915. It septae French Pyrenees dogs and Saint Bernard dogs.

Description: it is a large dog, robust, well built, with a body more long than tall. The head is conical, like a white bear head, nose and eyes as almond, brown, triangular ears, round the end, carried hanging close to the head and covered with short hair. The tail is held down with curved tip. The coat is made of rich hair long, rough and smooth forming neck collar, pearly white spotted, yellow or orange.

German Shepherd ( Alsacian, GSD )

Origin: Germany

Height: 55.0 - 65.0 cm

Weight: 27.0 - 43.0 kg

Breed history: is race the most widely known in the world, substantial national breed of Germany. Wrong is assigned Alsatian origin. Race for thousands of years, has a long line of ancestors starting persian Shepherd. Based on vague similarity wolf is known popular dog-wolf. The breed was brought to its present form until the late nineteenth century by Maxx Cavalry Captain von Stepanitz the selections persistent and increasingly finer. In Germany the headquarters WUSV international organization with over half a million members in 60 countries who deal with problems of this breed, the German Shepherd is the only race where no such organization.

Description: german Shepherd has an athletic body harmoniously little above average size , slightly elongated and slightly left towards the tail back line when viewed in profile . It has a long neck , strong and muscular . The head is proportioned tapered towards the nose, forehead very little flaring muzzle is in proportion to the skull , black nose . Medium sized eyes are almond shaped , slightly oblique , darker than hair color and have a lively expression of intelligence . Proportional sized ears head wider at the root with a sharp point as worn (up to 4-6 months they wear pendants ) . Bushy tail with thick hair , long, slightly curved saber , hanging down , never back . Shows three varieties of hair : short , harsh and long . The latter two are increasingly rare . The most widespread and agreed hair is short, often lying on the body as well and shorter on the head and front of limbs . The coat is double layered and has the outer layer completely black or black with patterns characteristic brown , reddish brown , yellow, gray or gray iron . Even if it has an elegant sturdy , imposing , appealing to walk trotter covering a large area with each step.

Shepherd mioritic ( Barak Mocan )

Origin: Romania

Height: 65.0 - 75.0 cm

Weight: 40.0 - 60.0 kg

Breed history: romanian is a very old breed that was kept over time due pastors, and is more prevalent in the Sibiu and Brasov. It seemed as though the origins of this breed are also older dogs alike Shepherd Mioritic were those that accompanied the Celtic tribes during migration. Also, dogs herding characteristics mioritic were brought by the Tartars in northern Black Sea and around the Caspian Sea, from there spreading towards Moldova. Today this dog is very popular in Romania and not only because of the impressive appearance and courage, and is considered by some the only dog that has a chance to escape when the bear attacked.

Description: it is a large dog, strong, sturdy without being heavy, well developed body with a broad chest and not too long. The head is large, powerful, massive muzzle slightly shorter than the skull. The stop is well pronounced, as arcades. The eyes are medium, oblique, hazel, brown, never yellow. The ears are medium sized, set high, rounded at the top and left. Do not cut. The tail is set high, the rest is left hanging reaching or slightly higher than the hock, hanging high alert, can overcome the back, slightly curved but never curled over the back. It is bushy, well furred and not cut. The coat is double with a lower layer thick and soft. The outer layer is long, 8-16 cm (3.15-6.3 inches), often coarse, strong, slightly wavy hair that covers the entire body. The coat color can be white total, total gray, white with well defined black or gray. His expression is calm and intelligence.

Dutch Shepherd ( Herdershonden Korthaar )

Origin: Netherlands

Height: 55.0 - 63.0 cm

Weight: 26.0 - 30.0 kg

Breed history: like Belgian Shepherd, which is similar, is descended from Persian shepherd dog, is only known in his home country. It has three varieties: short hair with coarse hair and long hair. The first variety is the best known, the last two being endangered.

Description: dutch Shepherd is a medium sized dog with strong body, muscular, head of medium length, thin taper. The eyes are almond shaped, slightly oblique, and the ears are small, worn right. The tail is long, rich hair and slightly curved at the top. Short haired brown color can be gold or silver stripes, one with coarse hair may gray coat blue, salt and pepper, and the red-brown with long hair is chestnut brown color, striped with gold or silver.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Origin: Poland

Height: 42.0 - 50.0 cm

Weight: 13.0 - 20.0 kg

Breed history: the breed dates back over 400 years, is downward Hun races and Puli. A few specimens taken in Scotland in the sixteenth century led to the development of Bobtail breeds and Bearded Collie.

Description: it is a medium sized dog, strong, vigorous, muscular. His head in proportion to the body, wide, short muzzle and domed over with a big nose, brown or black. Eyes are medium in size, dark brown, covered with hair from his forehead. Ears are left Dimes medium and long hair covered his head. It can be born without a tail or short tail that can be cut if you want respect tradition. The coat is double layered with fluffy and soft first layer and the outer layer is long, thick, wiry and looking Matos. Long hair covers the legs. The colors may be different, but the most common are combinations of white with gray or black or gray simple.

Romanian Shepherd ( Zavod )

Origin: Romania

Height: 60.0 - 73.0 cm

Weight: 35.0 - 50.0 kg

Breed history: romanian breed is naturally formed in the Carpatho Danubian and selected by shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains by empirical criteria. It is now spread all over the country and is highly appreciated and used for security and protection.

Description: it is a large dog , strong, sturdy , impressive . The body is solid and strong , rectangular , slightly longer than tall , has good bone and a broad chest and tall . There is a heavy dog . The head is strong , solid, solid, tapered muzzle , well developed slightly shorter than the skull is domed. It has a moderate stop . The eyes are not too high in relation to the head , almond and oblique dark . Not protruding nor sunken in their sockets . The ears are in the shape of " V " are prize slightly above the head, slightly rounded at the age and left . The neck is thick and strong . The tail is bushy, long and thick hair . Is set high , when it is allowed to stand with the tip slightly curved and reaches to the hock , which can alert is raised above the topline . The coat is double , with a short and dense undercoat and an outer straight, hard and often. The head and front of limbs is short and the body is abundant . Color is the open sand in shadows and darker on the back side . Can have white spots but not too large . The general appearance is that of a wolf.

Collie ( Scotch Collie Scottish Shepherd )

Origin: Northern England and Scotland

Height: 55.0 - 65.0 cm

Weight: 22.0 - 32.0 kg

Breed history: it is a very old breed, known since the twelfth century. Scientists, including Darwin, agreed that this dog skeleton resembles the skeleton of wild dog. The most famous version of the name, says it comes from sheep that guarded Colley. It was the favorite dog of Queen Victoria of England and became a companion dog looking at the beginning of the twentieth century. There are two varieties of Collie who have the same morphological characteristics, differing only by the length of hair: one is long and coarse hair and the other with short hair and smooth. Since 1943 due to numerous films LESS popularity of this breed has grown tremendously.

Description: Collie is a large dog with a long body more strongly built , slim . The head is in proportion with the body , with harmonious lines , elongated snout suitable long with black nose . His eyes are medium sized, easy obile , almond brown or blue color . The ears are relatively small, proportional head attached to the top of the head and kept hanging back a rest or when high and spike Reflected to the front when carefully . The tail is medium in size and a gate droop at rest and with the tip slightly bent on alert . At long haired coat is double with a first layer and often fluffy and outer layer made ​​of thick hair long , rough forming a mane around the neck and collar seem very abundant . The other variety has short hair thick and smooth . Both varieties have the same coat colors namely : black and white, tricolor (black, tan and white) . Beauty head and coat , expression mild and melancholy eyes, walking easy and graceful, perfect body complied aesthetically pleasing , elegant and noble outfit made ​​the vast majority of connoisseurs consider this the most beautiful dog breed representative.

Belgian Shepherd Groenendael

Origin: Belgium

Height: 58.0 - 66.0 cm

Weight: 25.0 - 35.0 kg

Breed history: part of the group of four Belgian Sheepdogs considered a single breed with four varieties in all countries, except the U.S. where each variety is considered a separate breed. Ancestor or Persian Shepherd dog, which, through multiple crossings resulting current copies. In the medieval period there were many types of Belgian Sheepdogs. In 1891 a committee of experts decided that Belgian Shepherds are the same size and the same body shape, the difference being on the length, texture and color of the coat. Four were given their name by the place or region where each format.

Description: it's a dog-proportioned body, medium sized, balanced, with strong muscles and sleek. The head is long with a muzzle right equal to the size of the skull and narrower at the top. The eyes are almond shaped dark brown shade. Triungiulare ears, set high, stiff and straight, medium size. Medium length tail hanging down, with the tip slightly curved and has long hair rich. The coat is double outer layer long, black, smooth, shiny and often. The hair is shorter on the head, ears and lower legs, but long and rich on the neck and chest where it forms the collar.

Komondor

Origin: Hungary

Height: 65.0 - 76.0 cm

Weight: 36.0 - 61.0 kg

Breed history: the breed comes from Tibetan dogs brought to Hungary by the shepherds of nomadic tribes in the ninth century. It spread to several countries in Europe and the USA where it is greatly appreciated.

Description: it is a large dog with a square body, strong, muscular. The head is large in proportion to body, with dark almond eyes, covered with hair. The ears are large, rich hair and worn hanging. The tail is long, slightly turned at the top, worn hanging, and the agitation amounted at most to the back. The coat is great, very thick and long, giving the massive asepectul. It is always white double with a first coat fluffy, very often, woolly and waterproof. 2nd coat is long, convoluted and can be felt in the form of strings.