#5: German Shepherd
The German Shepherd, which originated in the late 19th century, is one of the most intelligent and versatile dogs in the world. While today it is primarily used for police work, patrolling, and search and rescue, it still excels at its original task of herding and guarding livestock. Loyal, brave, and confident to the end, the German Shepherd is perhaps the ultimate multi-purpose dog. It is characterized by an athletic, muscular body (weighing up to 90 pounds) and noble bearing. Black and tan is the most common color combination, but it also comes in blue, sable, white, and more.
The American Kennel Club claims this dog is the second most popular breed in the country. Provided it receives enough mental and physical stimulation, it makes a great companion for families of all kinds.
The 15 Best Farm Dog Breeds
The Border Collie ticks just about every box there is when looking for a herding dog. They are incredibly smart animals, capable of picking up dozens of commands. They can respond to whistles as well as shouts and calls, and they have an endless pit of energy that they can draw from. Incredibly affectionate and a great addition to the family, Border Collies just seem to “get it” and instinctively know what is expected of them.
Great Pyrenees are big dogs used as guard dogs. They are intelligent and can be easily trained, but they are prized for their independence, so they have a bit of a strong will. A Pyrenees is not only protective of his cattle, but of his human family, too. He does tend to roam, though, and may push his physical borders, so it is a good idea to have fencing installed.
The Welsh Corgi, or Pembroke Corgi, is one of the shorter herding dogs. It is a clever breed that is surprisingly fast and strong. Although primarily considered a herder, the Corgi is also protective of his land and his family, so he is a multi-purpose dog that can perform the required tasks for several ranch dogs.
) Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is a solid, compact breed. They are bred to perform physically demanding tasks such as herding both large and small livestock. One of my favorite traits is they are loyal to their owners but suspicious of strangers. They do tend to be aggressive with other dogs and show their dominance with children. Please make sure you do your research when selecting this breed as your ranch hand/family pet.
These Are 10 Best Farm Dog Breeds
Great ranching dog breeds must be confident in their work, obedient, and athletic. Dogs have not only been “man’s best friend” but also dedicated workers since the beginning of time. From sun up to sun down they are a loyal companion for anyone out there looking for the best possible barn hand.
Seymour is my Blue Heeler/Australian Shepherd mix and he’s one of the most loyal, hardest working dogs I have ever known. He is aging a bit these days which led me to want to get another pup that he can show the ropes to. I know a once-in-a-lifetime dog is just that and can never be replaced, but if he can instill at least a fraction of his knowledge and integrity into a puppy then I’ll be in luck.
While I was researching possible dog breeds that would fit the description of what I would like, I compiled a list of the top three breeds that I believe to be the most successful in a ranching environment.