As the name suggests, herding breeds were developed to gather, herd, and protect livestock such as sheep or cattle. That shared heritage means they all have the instinctive skill and drive to control the movement of other animals. To a herding dog, however, “other animals” means the humans in the house, too.

What are herding behaviors?

Herd behavior is the behavior of individuals in a group acting collectively without centralized direction.

What are the characteristics of herding dogs?

Herding dogs, also classified as working dogs, share characteristics and physical traits, such as agility, speed and loyalty. Overall, they are smart, happy, energetic and athletic animals that need to be active.