Scottish shepherd. Shepherd dogs. Description and features of shepherd breeds of dogs.

Family and relationships 29.08.2018
Family and relationships

The dog became his constant companion in the pastures. This four-legged friend not only helped herd herds, but also protected them from the attack of predatory animals. At first, all shepherd dogs were called shepherd dogs, and only after many centuries were shepherd dog breeds identified.

And all this time, from the first primitive breeds, those that possess the necessary set of qualities were carefully derived:

Always look for your owner's company. One of his characteristics is the oheriza of strangers. It shows a calm attitude, self-confidence and self-confidence, not disturbed by strange noises or faced with a new environment. An unsurpassed keeper of properties, he delivers a natural instinct for the desire for more hunting and driving livestock.

The row should develop in long, elastic strides. His soft step resembles the movements of big cats. His main feature- ambadura: two rhythmic lateral step in which the legs of each side advance and retreat in pairs, developing an oscillatory movement of the dog's body, accentuated along the top line to the tail.

  • The average size bodies with a proportional physique.
  • Endurance and developed muscles - for large and prolonged loads.
  • Thick wool with undercoat - for protection from bad weather or heat.
  • Poorly developed hunting instinct (so that the dog is not distracted from its direct duties).
  • Excellent security qualities, distrust of strangers. If necessary, the dog can chase the beast.
  • Selfless devotion to the owner.
  • Courage and bravery.

Geography of breeding shepherd dogs

The geography of the countries where shepherd dog breeds were bred is quite extensive. Moreover, the more animal husbandry is developed in the state, the more breeds of dogs of this category it is home to.

When walking, carry the tail under the dorsal line. He shows a gentle, free and easy trot with powerful strides. His gallop is a powerful, unexpected speed for such a large and heavy dog. Due to their loose joints characteristic of molosoids, Fila's movement creates an impression and, indeed, can produce immediate and very rapid changes in direction.

The Afghan Hound comes from Sinai and has been mentioned in Egyptian papyrus for over a thousand years. Afghan or Afghan hound - big dog with long silky hair; one of the most attractive and beautiful dog breeds. But his beauty is not limited to her appearance. He is a very intelligent and intelligent dog, however he walks with a majestic feeling, as if he were the owner of a competition circle. But when he runs, he runs like a greyhound. It can exceed 60 kilometers per hour, and in mountainous areas it has no pair.

For example, Hungary has become home to five common breeds of herding dogs - Commander, Puli, Pumi, Mudi and Hungarian Kuvasz. The first two are long-haired, capable of excellently enduring even the most severe weather. The Pumi is a relatively young breed, developed by crossing a Puli and a Pomeranian. It is used not only as a herd guard, but also watchdog, as well as a rodent exterminator. And the Hungarian shepherd dog (moody) is an even younger breed, obtained by crossing several breeds, including puli and pumi.

It is capable of changing direction, making cuts up to ninety degrees without slowing down. You can also maintain an endless run of about 20 kilometers per hour without any signs of fatigue. Strong, haughty, strong and noble. The male Afghan Hound reaches 73 cm in height. All colors are allowed for a long silky cloak. It requires a lot of exercise and daily brushing.

Brave, sweet, intelligent, distrustful, but not hostile. The Afghan Hound was originally used as a sheepdog and hunter of cheetahs, wolves and jackals. Nowadays, due to its beauty, it is considered a luxurious dog. The hare hunts the dog on the run, quickly chasing and directing itself towards the sight. He has also worked and can mock other hair like rabbits, foxes, and even wild boar; But the original use of the race was, and still is, hunting hares on the run.

Slovakia, in which there is no mountainous terrain, and, accordingly, livestock breeding is less developed, in its history has bred only one breed of shepherd dogs - the Slovak Chuvach, which is closely related to the Hungarian kuvas.

English shepherd dogs are very popular. This is the well-known collie (Scottish shepherd), as well as sheltie, bobtail. You can often see small handsome Welsh Corgis. It was this breed of dog that was preferred The Royal Family And the dog of this breed was presented by the king as a gift to his daughter Elizabeth II. And all because their representatives are very smart, they can perfectly overcome difficulties and perform their functions.

The Spanish greyhound was already known in old age by the Romans, although we must assume that its arrival and implantation in the peninsula is very old. Having descended from the ancient Asian hares, he has adapted to our various regions of the steppes and plains. Compact skeleton, long and narrow head, wide chest, very retracted abdomen and very a long tail.

  • The Lebrel dog is a good size.
  • The rear trainer is well-assed and muscular.
  • The hair is thin, short or hard and half.
Serious and closed nature; Sometimes though in the hunt he shows great energy and vivacity.

Swiss breeds of herding dogs are one of the few remaining, thanks to the skillful actions of breeders, in pure form before today. Four types of Swiss Shepherds with a unique color in the form of a tricolor - this is a significant contribution of Switzerland to the science of cynology. A large mountain dog (or a large mountain dog) has as much as 72 cm at the withers and has a smooth coat. The Bernese shepherd dog (Bernese Mountain Dog) is already long-haired, with a withers of 65 cm. Well, the Appenzeller Mountain Dog and Entlebucher Mountain Dog are short-haired, 58 and 35 cm, respectively. The photo shows a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The Golden Retriever is a relatively modern and popular dog breed, especially in the United States and Europe. Due to its characteristics as gathering dogs, bloodhounds, bloodhounds and water spaniels, it is a skilled hunting dog with tracking skills.

Friendly and reliable, he lacks aggressiveness, both for people and for their fellows. Her gentle, melancholy look expresses her need for love. Impossible to react adversely, he will react to all contact with joy, for affection is as important to him as the air that breathes; Therefore, he would rather be in a small apartment with his family than in a house with a garden but no human company. This is one of the few races that accept those who are unfamiliar with big love, and it is very likely that his golden jump and lick the face of his guest.


Contributed to the breeding of shepherd dogs and Belgium. And very weighty. Breeds of dogs were bred in Belgium, the herding qualities of which correspond to a high level and are valued all over the world. Versatility, excellent guarding abilities, a similar physique, a height of 62 cm at the withers - these are the Belgian shepherd dogs. They differ only in color and type of coat. So, they have long black hair, and representatives of the Tervuren breed differ from the first in a bronze color with a black tint. Another shepherd dog, the Malinois, has the same color but with a shorter and tighter coat. But the Laekenois is a breed of wire-haired Belgian shepherd dogs.

Although these dogs are easy to train because they have a great willingness to please their owner, so they have the ability to learn a lot, quickly and smoothly. It is recommended to train using a professional dog trainer without training. As with any other race, learning without punishment can begin as early as two months.

Early training is quite beneficial as it allows behavioral defects to develop or that any problem that develops can be corrected when the dog is still small and the problem has not taken root, thus preventing further development and correcting it in early age. They are very obedient and affectionate dogs, so when training is not very difficult and you can learn a lot of orders.

Australian Cattle Dog

It is a cattle breed, and it got its second name, healer, thanks to the manner of grabbing cattle with its teeth by the lower part of the hind limbs (from the English heel - heel) when driving the herd.
The Australian Cattle Dog has a body length of 44-51 cm, its color can vary from red to dark gray. This is an extremely unpretentious and hardy animal, always active and ready for decisive action. The ideal conditions for a dog are to be outdoors most of the time. Gets along well with other animals. With vigilance and a strong grip, the dog also shows nice results in detention work.

Descendant of spaniel specimens that crossed with local dogs to form a race adapted to hunting conditions in Scotland. This dog is a good pet for a person who can provide care and exercise.

Unlike other setters, he is a good house guardian. It is suitable for homes where there are older children who do not abuse the dog. Not recommended for an apartment, does much better in a home with a patio. He needs his master's company. You must express yourself often.

The history of the origin of the breed dates back to the middle of the XIX century, when the development of the Australian state of New South Wales took place. Along with the cattle, the cattle breeders also brought herding dogs here - Smithfields (black bobtails), which were not adapted to the heat, were too large and noisy, which frightened the animals.
The first attempt of farmers to cross a Smithfield with a dingo (in 1830) was not successful: red short-tailed dogs worked quietly, but bit strongly. An unsuccessful attempt was also made to cross a Rough Collie with a Bull Terrier. And in 1840, the landowner Thomas Holya ordered two collies from Scotland (black-blue and gray-black-marble), which were then crossed with dingoes. This is how the Australian Cattle Dog with a blue color was obtained. It should be noted that the same was done by the farmer J. Elliot from Queensland, and some still call this breed Queensland. A little later, Sydney farmers mixed Dalmatian blood into the healers, thanks to which the breed inherited the mottled-roan “shirt” pattern.
The breed received its recognition in 1903 thanks to Robert Kaleski, who initiated its first standard. In 1963 it was released in a modern interpretation, and in 1987 its latest FCI version was released. In 1979, the standard was approved by the AKC. The recognition of the breed has also been confirmed by the SCS, UKC, KCGB and ANKC.

It has a noble nature and is easily tamed, making it an excellent family companion. He is a good collector by nature: he has good nose and high resistance to long hunting days. Intelligent, loyal, noble, cheerful, always alert and playful, they are sufficient qualities to have a dog of this breed at home, as a companion for children, in addition to always seeking the protection of their family and home, working well as a guardian, Show aggressive instinct.

This requires you to dedicate time and space to exercise because your nature requires you to be in shape. Your hair doesn't need special care as it doesn't last very long, but it does require brushing a week at least. This is a dog of medium structure, harmoniously distributed, intelligent, rustic, used to life in the open air.

Australian kelpie

The breed got its name from the kelpie water mentioned in the work of Louis Stevenson.


The Australian Kelpie is a very active dog, with an excellent combination of muscular strength and great limb flexibility. It has a high intellect, is distinguished by loyalty to a person and devotion to work. Despite its average size (43-58 cm at the withers), the dog does an excellent job of grazing even cattle. Has a short coat of black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate or smoky blue.

His constitution allows him to withstand the breaks of the seasons and atmospheric changes so frequent in the Belgian climate. In accordance with the harmony of its forms and the proud heart of its head, the Belgian Shepherd must signify that elegant robustness, which has become an indispensable attribute of the chosen representatives of the race of work.

Added to its innate ability as a herd guardian are the unsurpassed qualities of the best guard dog on the property; if necessary, he does not hesitate to become a tenacious and ardent defender of his master. He is considerate and considerate; His anxious and inquisitive look means intelligence. Most characteristic features of this breed variety are long and smooth hair on the entire surface of the body, with the exception of the head, outer side of the ears and lower limbs. The neck has long and abundant hair, arranged in the form of a collar.

The history of the origin of the breed is not fully understood. The first mention of it dates back to 1870. It is widely believed that the emergence of the breed was the result of crossing with a wild one. The Australian kelpie really has the habits inherent in a wild dog. For example, when grazing, it bends its head to the ground, as if sneaking up on a victim. In general, dogs of this breed can herd a thousand sheep alone. In their work, they use techniques such as biting defiant animals on the legs, as well as jumping on their backs to quickly reach the other end of the herd.
The breed has been recognized by the FCI standard.

The forearm bears a fringe on its outer edge from the elbow to the wrist. long hair. The rear train has long and abundant hair, forming the so-called panties. The tail is arranged like a train. Uniform black coat color. This breed is attentive, strong and courageous, willing to work. It is a guard dog with great resistance, alertness and intelligence.

This is the most common and most beautiful of all Belgian shepherds. Sheep are obedient and learn quickly without requiring special training, as most dogs are instinctively protective of their home and the one who feeds them. In speculation about its possible origins, several races that could be considered the ancestors of the Hovawart, such as German Shepherd, Leonberger, Swiss Boyero, Kuvasz or Newfoundland are shuffled. In Germany, there is a symbol that is in this country, where there are probably more animals.

Azores dog

Dogs of this breed are extremely rare. Only directly on the Azores, and occasionally at competitions and exhibitions, you can meet its representatives. Although the Azorean shepherd dog invariably enjoys well-deserved popularity in its homeland, excellent working qualities, as well as boundless devotion to the owners, make these animals real favorites of the family.

The race was in jeopardy and was rebuilt in the 1920s by Kurt Koenig. There are about one hundred copies of Hovawart in the United States. Popular in Germany but almost unknown in the United States, the Hovawart is a versatile breed. His mind and instinct give him large doses of adaptation. It is a protective, courageous and alert dog that can be an exemplary talisman as the Hovawart is calm at home and energetic outdoors. It is characterized by a strong cortex, a highly developed sense of smell, and an extraordinary ear, which is one of the senses in which it relies on the development of the tasks of observation assigned to it.

Azorean dogs belong to the category of cattle dogs, they are distinguished by a rather lively temperament, they perfectly cope with the function of grazing cows and other cattle, they are excellent guards. The breed is characterized by a height at the withers, corresponding to 48-60 cm, and has a short brindle coat.



This breed of dog has another name - Cao de Fila de Sao Miguel (Cau Fila de San Miguel) - identical to the name of the largest of the Azores. The fact is that during the period of active expansion of their possessions by Portugal, in 1427, Henry the Navigator discovered Azores. The presence of lush vegetation and the absence of mammals on them became an obstacle to the settlement of the islands by people. Then Henry gave the order to bring cattle to the island of San Miguel, and already in 1439 there were abundant herds of animals on it, gradually running wild without human presence. That's when the need for a shepherd dog arose. The dogs brought by the settlers died out, but their crossing with other Molossians gave birth to a different breed, which got its name in honor of the island.
Thanks to almost complete isolation over the centuries, the Azores shepherd dogs have kept the purity of the breed. And only the development of external relations gave rise to the danger of losing her purebredness. Therefore, in 1995, a breed standard recognized by the FCI was described.

This dog of character is cheerful, energetic and at the same time calm. Their joy and desire to play and please is contagious. He is very affectionate and behaves like a puppy for many years. The Hovawart is very intelligent and very easy to train. Very rarely he will be aggressive, a characteristic that comes from his role as a valiant guardian and protector, but who corrects himself like a puppy using his early obedience. In addition, teaching Hovawart is not only easy, but also a real pleasure due to how quickly he absorbs the instructions he receives.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog breed is one of the oldest (more than 2000 years old).
It is also one of largest breeds(up to 75 cm at the withers, 45-70 kg). According to the type of coat, dogs of this breed are short-haired, with an intermediate length, as well as long-haired. But they all have a thick undercoat. The color can be wolf-gray, brown, fawn, red and mottled.

He has protective and fighting instincts, he is very self-confident and able to withstand stress. He is a very familiar dog and prolonged and daily contact with him will increase his level of loyalty. His special devotion to his family makes him an excellent companion, guardian, protector, savior and tracker. It is reserved with strangers and great with kids, if you mess with them with a puppy, will protect them as soon as the opportunity arises. This breed tends to get along well with other family dogs, but watch out if the Hovawart lives with other family pets such as cats and birds.

There are two versions of the history of the origin of the breed. According to one of them, the breed originated from the Tibetan Great Danes and dates back to 1211 BC. BC, when the Chinese emperor Zhou was presented with one of these dogs. However, there are images of similar animals on the remains of the Caucasian state of Urartu (7th century BC).
But no matter which version they adhere to, one thing is clear - the ancient dog breeders did their best. The dog is smart, hardy, copes well with shepherd and guard duty, has determination and courage.

She loves physical activity and loves the outdoor life, running and jumping. He is the perfect runner. If we are thinking about getting a pet and we have enough space and time to go out with her for training, then the Hovawart is the dog of choice.

The Labrador Retriever, also known as the Labrador Retriever or Labrador Retriever, is a dog with a hunting instinct. The Collector is that dog that charges what brings a fallen hunting item without harming it or killing it. The only function of this dog is to lead it from where it fell, but not to hunt or kill it if it is alive after being shot. It comes from northern lands, cold and hard days hunting work correspond to a disciplined nature. It was called the Little Newfoundland Dog.

Collie

The bright appearance and impeccable nature of this dog captivate even those who are neutral towards our four-legged friends. Of course, we are talking about the Scottish Shepherd, Collie. The price of a puppy with a pedigree knowingly starts from 15,000 rubles - after all, its representatives are the standard of canine beauty, devotion and intelligence.


There are several versions of the origin of the name of the breed. According to one of them, it is associated with a variety of Scottish sheep colley. On the other - with the word coaly, which means "coal" in translation. Well, the third assumes the connection of the name with English word collar, which translates as "collar" and indicates the chic mane and frill inherent in this breed. The royal appearance, proud posture of its representatives, muscular physique, graceful movements, as well as magnificent thick and long hair, were appreciated by Queen Victoria traveling through the Scottish lands. And since 1860 collies began to take part in exhibitions. Since then, selection work with the breed has been focused exclusively on the exterior and did not concern the working characteristics of the dog.

Today the collie is the epitome of intelligence and beauty in the canine world. The sharp mind of the dog allows her to master not only the standard set of commands, but also learn the meanings of many words. Dogs are obedient, quick-witted, become excellent friends and helpers for children. In a word, if you decide to get a collie puppy, the price that you pay for a purebred breed, although it will be rather big, will fully meet your expectations from the acquisition.

Sheepdog from Portugal

The Portuguese Shepherd has long been valued for its shepherd qualities. The manner of her behavior is to drive the cattle by barking, as well as silently bypassing the flock or herd when they are grazing.
This is a medium sized dog (42-55 cm, 12-18 kg) with thick, long and slightly coarse hair. There is no undercoat. Modern representatives of the breed are predominantly black in color, but there are also individuals of gray, reddish, yellow and brown color.
As you might guess from the name, the native breed is Portugal, or rather, its regions of Alentejo and Ribatero. Specialists admit a close relationship with such breeds as the Briard, the Pyrenean and the Catalan Sheepdog.
Excellent watchdog qualities, tolerance to various weather conditions and unpretentiousness in food, as well as energy, vigilance, and at the same time calm and poise - all these qualities are inherent in Portuguese Shepherd Dogs.

romanian shepherd dog

The Romanian Shepherd Dog breed probably originated as a result of crossing herding dogs of various breeds, possibly Slavic and Turkish.
A dog of this breed is characterized by a white color (or with brown spots), which is very convenient - such a dog is not afraid of sheep, it cannot be confused with wolves. The coat is straight, thick, of medium length. The dog has a height at the withers of about 58-66 cm, weight in the range of 32-45 kg, strong bones, a short and strong neck, well-developed muscles.



Romanian Shepherds are very reliable herders, perfectly adapted to the harsh local conditions. These are very hardy dogs with a lightning-fast reaction and innate aggressiveness. The breed is quite rare and little known beyond the borderline of its homeland.

Czech dog

The Czech Shepherd Dog is one of the oldest breeds and possibly the forerunner of the famous German Shepherd.
These shepherd dogs are 50-55 cm tall and weigh 15-25 kilograms. They have a proportional head and an elongated muzzle. The ears are pointed, medium in size, located at a close distance from each other and set high. The muscular body of the body also has a strong skeleton. A saber-shaped tail completes the perfect exterior. The coat is straight, elongated (up to 12 cm), with a thick, well-developed undercoat, thanks to which the dog remarkably tolerates both severe frosts and summer heat. The coat is black with reddish tan markings on the cheekbones, around the eyes, on the chest, front of the neck and on the limbs.
Having a lower height and weight than other working dogs, the Czech Shepherd Dog is more comfortable to keep, more agile, very active and quickly gets to work.
It should be noted that, along with the official, the breed has other names, one of which is the Chodsky dog ​​(from the Czech ethnic group "Moves", which has long guarded the way to Germany in the mountains of the Czech Republic). The history of the breed begins in the 13th century, and in the 16th century its breeding was already at a professional level.

Then, in 1984, the restoration of the breed began thanks to the work of Wilem Kurz and Jan Findeis. In one cynological publication, photos of the Chodsky shepherd dog were published and an appeal to readers to report the presence of such dogs. So, in the period from 1985 to 1992. 35 litters of dogs of this breed have been registered. In 1997, Findeis introduced the official standard for the Czech Cattle Dog.

South Russian

A distinctive feature and pride of the breed is its coat. First, it is soft, silky and very long. On the head, the hair covers the muzzle and reaches the tip of the nose, on the legs it forms a kind of felt boots. Coat color can vary from pure white to yellowish and smoky. But this harmless, as it seems at first glance, appearance hides a rather aggressive nature, designed to carry out shepherd and guard duty.


How did the South Russian Shepherd Dog appear? The history of the breed dates back to 1797, when Asturian shepherd dogs were brought to Tavria, along with the first pairs of fine-wooled Spanish sheep, to help cattle breeders. Being excellent shepherds, these dogs had a significant drawback. small stature and light build made them very vulnerable to local steppe wolves. Therefore, sheep breeders needed to turn the dogs they brought into stronger ones, without losing their existing shepherd skills. By infusing the Asturian four-legged shepherds with the blood of Tatar shepherds, local greyhounds, Russian canine greyhounds, they bred a breed of dogs with such qualities as endurance, speed in running and viciousness towards predators. At the same time, the dog is unpretentious in content, smart, affectionate with its own and has a lightning-fast reaction. Breeding work was carried out in the famous Askania-Nova estate, so the breed was called the South Russian Shepherd Dog. Sometimes this shepherd is also called Ukrainian.

But unfortunately, the breed has not yet become popular. The fact is that during the First and Second World Wars, due to the reduction in the number of sheep, the development of the breed ceased. As a result, by 1945, only true connoisseurs of the breed, as well as local shepherds, had rare specimens of the breed. Of course, since then the number of dogs has increased, but the breed has not gained popularity. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the activity of the animal is such that a lot of space is required, which is impossible in apartment conditions. Modern sheep breeding no longer needs so many service dogs. And other skills, for which shepherd dog breeds have the ability, have not been mastered by the South Russian Shepherd Dog.

Search

Shepherd dog breeds

With the beginning of the development of cattle breeding, a dog served as a constant assistant to a person. A constant companion, she not only helped herd herds, but also guarded them from the attack of wild predators. Initially, all shepherd dogs were called sheepdogs. And only after many centuries were shepherd breeds of dogs identified.

As a rule, these are medium-sized dogs, hardy, muscular with the right physique. They are well developed physically and able to withstand heavy loads. Dogs are covered with thick hair that protects from bad weather and heat. Their working qualities, such as endurance, fearlessness, selfless devotion to the owner and distrust of outsiders, are preserved from generation to generation.

Shepherd dogs endowed with excellent hunting instinct. Protecting the herds and in case of emergency, the shepherd dog is able to pursue the predatory beast, as well as resist it. Being in remote grazing areas, guard dog successfully took part in the hunt for game to satisfy the hunger of her master. The gift of persecution has been preserved in this category of dogs to this day.

Shepherd dogs have well developed guarding instincts. Using this quality in breeding, a number of new breeds were obtained, which are currently used to perform several other, but no less important tasks.

The brightest representative of such dogs is the German Shepherd - a universal breed that performs on present stage many functions. They are in the service of customs officers, border troops and the police.

Shepherd dog breeds are especially diverse in countries with developed animal husbandry.

Hungary. homeland of three herding breeds: bullets and commander - long-haired guards of the herd, not afraid of bad weather. And a relatively young breed - pumi. This is a descendant of a bullet and a Pomeranian. Pumi is used not only in the protection of livestock, but also as guard dog, as well as a rodent exterminator.

Spain. Homeland of the Pyrenean dog. The dog is strong and powerful, with a magnificent physical development. It has a thick white coat that protects from bad weather.

Switzerland. The birthplace of four types of unsurpassed Swiss Shepherds, which have an identical color - tricolor. These are purebred shepherd dogs, whose qualities are preserved unchanged from distant ancestors to modern period thanks to the skillful work of breeders.

We recommend reading

Top