Cattle dog breeds don’t have a special category when it comes to the classification of dogs. They are a part of a group that is called a herding group. Many of them are also among working groups, too.
And, if there was a smart group, an agile group, and a capable group – these super canines would be in them, too.
Some of them are droving cattle, some are herding flocks or herds, some are just guarding and protecting them from all sorts of predators, and live with a herd, and some just round them.
So, I have rounded these puppies here in a pack so it is easier for you to meet them. Let’s see what we got.
1. German Shepherd
Country of birth: Germany
Well, well, well… isn’t this the King of dogs – a mighty Rex, an all purpose dog, one that you call for whatever trouble you have. Yes, I know – he is a shepherd, you may say, but this dog… ohh, this dog can do every task.
Such a clever pooch that can, after a long day at the police station, still come home and be your own personal therapist. And, when he is done with that, he will heard your sheep or cattle, or whatever.
He looks good while doing it. You can choose which German Shepherd color you want your livestock to feel safe with. There are plenty of choices. You can pick albino, brown, sable, black, blue, red, isabella, liver, silver, white, merle, panda, and many more.
And, you still think that he is not able to gather your livestock? I mean, after all… he has a German work ethic and mindset, so expect precision and dedication to the task and overall work.
2. Border Collie
Country of birth: Scotland and Wales
We can’t actually talk about cattle dog breeds without mentioning the Border Collie. This is a dog with a reputation, and his name might ring a bell to you.
Yes, you have finally remembered. This is the one. He is officially the smartest dog breed ever and anywhere. It is good to have a Border Collie mix, too.
These versatile pooches got their name exactlly for the fact that they were born and raised next to the border. Yes, I know… there is still the rest of the name to explain.
Since it is a Scottish breed, it is reasonable that this breed has a true Scottish word in the name, and this word is a Scottish term for a dog that guards sheep.
I have already mentioned that he has a lot of brains, and he uses them. He is very good at what he does. Trust me… I will give you an example. He is a herding dog, which means he had some livestock animals to protect.
And, those animals are not very clever so the herders had a difficult task. When it comes to the Border Collie’s aggression, he doesn’t even have to show it in a great amount.
Even though he is well-known for barking, he doesn’t even have to vocalize at his cattle. He just gives them a look. This means that he stares at the animal until it feels intimidated.
3. Australian Cattle Dog
Country of birth: Australia
The Australian Cattle Dog says a lot, to be honest. You can effortlessly guess that it is a dog from Australia (the Australian outback, to be precise), and that is specialized in cattle guarding. This means he belongs to the herding group of dogs.
Maybe you still don’t exactly know which dog I am referring to. Can the term ‘Blue Heeler’ help a little bit? Yes, he is also known by that name. It is maybe a more prominent name.
We are talking about the same dog when we say Australian Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Red Heeler, and Halls Heeler.
Heeler, heeler, heeler everywhere… what is all that fuss about? Well, nomen est omen, and when we say ‘Blue Heeler’, it means exactly that – a heel that turns blue… well, from the dog’s bite, of course… what else?
Just kidding… it does not turn blue, but he does use his teeth while herding his livestock. He doesn’t actually bite, but nipps a little bit just for a warning.
After all – he works with huge animals, much bigger than he is, and he has to make himself an authority somehow. Maybe that is the trait he got from his wild parent – the dingo.
4. Australian Shepherd
Country of birth: Spain
What is this, now? An Australian Shepherd that is from Spain. That doesn’t make sense at all. But, it actually does, and I will explain how.
They are actually from Basque – a region in the north of Spain that is a bit different than the rest of the country.
Their first Australian emigrants were shepherds who took their dogs with them. It is a logical move since Australia and New Zealand are well known for their merino sheep.
But, emigrants from America didn’t know these dogs actually belong to the Spanish heritage, and they took them back with them to the USA and named them after the place they found them – Australian Shepherds.
It was a cute mistake, and these dogs remained as native Down-Under dogs.
And, these dogs are cute, too. Can you guess all the Aussie colors? He has a special set of colors. There is a red merle Aussie, a blue merle, a red tri, and a black. He also has heterochromia, which means that his eyes are not of the same color.
This breed did well in America. Since he had a lot of experience as a guard dog, a family pet, and a watchdog, while doing some tasks on ranches with ranchers, he found himself another occupation.
5. Belgian Malinois
Country of birth: Belgium
You know this dog. The Belgian Malinois looks like a German Shepherd, but a much lighter version. It is one of the three Belgian Shepherd breeds that we will include in the cattle dog breeds list.
I know… cattle, sheep… it is not the same, but hey… this dog can do it all. Even though you can’t say that from his name, the Belgian Malinois is, first of all, a high-energy sheepdog.
But, some people recognized his potential, and nowadays, he is less of a sheepdog and more of a service dog, family dog, therapy dog, military dog, and whatever kind of dog you want him to be.
Just make sure he gets a lot of exercise; otherwise, a Belgian Malinois can get aggressive.
With a lot of training and mental stimulation, this dog is suitable for many different tasks. It is important to do this because it is a healthy dog that has a respectable lifespan. So, you must show him who the boss is.
It is a great dog that can put both sheep and bigger animals in order, like cows and bulls. That is why he deserves to be on the cattle dog breeds list.
6. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Country of birth: Wales
You must think that I have made a mistake again. How can a small, fluffy Corgi end up on the cattle dog breeds list? Believe it or not, it can.
I mean it is a dog that pulls a carriage of fairies and elves, and you think it can’t herd a few cows? If you have a Corgi, then you are one lucky dog owner.
These little thingies are super smart, super agile, and super working dogs. And, he will be your best buddy.
If he doesn’t hear something, then he will be zooming, which is running in circles. That is how he likes to get busy.
7. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Country of birth: Wales
After we have found out that Corgis are actually one of the cattle dog breeds, it is time to meet another Corgi – a Cardigan one.
Both of them are the minions of Queen Elisabeth II. You have probably seen them in movies about the royal family a few times. They are so adorable that even the queen can’t resist them.
These beauties are colorful. Corgi colors give us brindle, cowboy, red, merle, and a few more variations on theme.
I forgot to mention earlier, but the key difference in appearance between the Pembroke and the Cardigan version is their tail. And, by this, I mean that the Cardigan Corgi actually has one.
The main role of this small dog, whose name, by the way, means ‘dwarf’, in Welsh, is to drive cattle away. He is not a herder.
This breed has been specializing in cattle for more than 3,000 years.
Trust me… Corgi mixes are not getting behind in any trait. They are just as cute and capable as their Pembroke and Cardigan parents.
8. Bearded Collie
Country of birth: Scotland
This is another Collie from Scotland. Sheep in Scotland must feel really safe with these furry and fury guardians. And, they must be protected… they are so important for Scottish culture.
Where else would Scots find so much wool for the great numbers of their filibegs if there were no sheep. They are like guardians of tradition, and these Collies are their protectors.
This Collie differentiates from his Border colleague in the amount of hair. He is called ‘Bearded’ for a reason. He is one of the big and fluffy dog breeds out there.
The Bearded Collie, or the ‘Beardie’ is, as it happens with sheepdogs, a very clever pooch, and very friendly, too. If you put effort into socialization, your dog will behave well with other animals and kids.
And, the kids will love him and his fluffy undercoat, as well as his almost non-consumable energy.
9. Old English Sheepdog
Country of birth: England
Imagine a dog with cerulean blue eyes that look at you under a huge pile of silky hair. This is a sight that will make you fall in love with it immediately.
Nothing in the name of this dog is completely true, to be honest.
It is stated that it is an old breed, but the Border Collie is older, for example. It is even thought that this “old version” is derived from the “border one”.
His coat placed him on the list of shaggy dog breeds, and he does look a bit shaggy, to be honest.
There is a reason why this dog is on the list of cattle dog breeds. We have already said that his name is not completely correct.
So, this dog is not really into sheep. He is more for cattle, and what he would do was drive them to the marketplace.
10. Bergamasco Sheepdog
Country of birth: Italy
We are heading to the south to meet one ancient dog breed from the town of Bergamo. It is one fine pooch, with manners that will greet you and wish you a welcome.
And, you will be surprised when you see him. It is an all-black dog with extravagant hair.
This sheepdog kinda looks like a sheep. This Italian dog needs a good hairdresser to put his hair in order for some special occasions. On regular days, he just goes all natural.
Even though he looks indolent, he is a very athletic and agile dog. But, you just can’t see that under all of that fuss on top.
And, he better be agile since he needs to keep together a flock of not-very-bright animals.
11. Shetland Sheepdog
Country of birth: Scotland
Did you, like me, think that this is a Lassie? A dog from that movie, Lassie, is coming home. Well, we are not the only people to confuse this breed with the Rough Collie.
So, it is not Lassie, but Sheltie, and Sheltie has some serious skills when it comes to disciplining sheep. He even nipps a bit if neccessary.
That is why maybe some people think it belongs on the aggressive dogs list… that, and maybe because he barks a lot.
Anyhow, he is placed on the cattle dog breeds list because he is among the smartest dog breeds, and he does well with any kind of task. One quick-learning pooch.
12. Bouvier Des Flandres
Country of birth: Belgium
Maybe it is not immediately clear, but he is a Belgian dog because Flandres is part of this country. He belongs among black dog breeds since his coat is always in dark tones.
When I say he is a working dog, I mean he is really a hard-working dog. He is smart and gifted, both with brains and with a working ethic.
Give him any task and he will do it from droving cattle to working on a farm. He does it all, except for making cheese from milk.
13. Dalmatian
Country of birth: Croatia
It is Cruella de Ville’s favorite puppy and worst nightmare at the same time. But, let’s forget about her – we are here for this versatile stunner with equally stunning colors.
Dalmatia is a region in today’s Croatia, but it got its name after the Illyric tribe of Delmata. And, this breed is as old as the name of the region.
Though, the Dalmatian’s lifespan is not that long.
He is awesome as a hunting dog, as a help to firemen, for ratting, and most importantly, as a herding dog.
Even though it is not a common sight to spot these spotted dogs among livestock, try to give him this task and you will see that there is nothing he can’t do.