The McNab Shepherd began to be developed in the late 1800’s by Alexander McNab and is still in development today. This herding breed was originally a California creation, cultivated to work in the specifically rough terrain of the region – including burrs, heat and rocky landscapes. Originally more of a “hidden gem” of a dog, popularity began to rise in other parts of the country when word of this breeds’ work ethic and herding prowess began to spread! The breed can work independently on cattle without much help from a farmer, and does so with a loose eye and boundless agility. They are able to work stock from any angle, for hours at a time, and can herd any type of animal. They are even known for covering over a hundred miles a day while working stock!

The McNab is a breed that knows what he wants and can be obstinate about getting it! As such, he needs regular training with an experienced owner that understands how to be firm, yet fair. There is an assertive, dominant nature in many McNabs that requires the same amount of assertiveness and leadership abilities in an owner. This isn’t a “get and forget” type dog (not that any breed is). This is an intelligent dog that needs regular training, work, and attention! He picks up training very quickly and will require daily mental stimulation – enough that will keep him challenged day-to-day. Luckily this talented dog excels in a variety of jobs and can be trained in any number of dog sports and/or activities! McNabs have been used for hunting, as therapy dogs, as police dogs, and of course for herding. They can also compete in sports such as agility, flyball, frisbee, dock diving, lure coursing, scentwork, tracking and obedience.

McNabs tend to get along with everyone in the family, including pets of all species. They can form tight bonds with both people and animals. That said, some McNab Shepherds can be particularly persistent and determined when it comes to keeping unwelcome guests off the property. They have a territorial streak which might take some owners by surprise, as they are usually sensitive and docile toward those whom they know. Take note – the breed can be an effective watch dog when they feel something is “off”! As long as a person is welcome into the home, however, most members of the breed are overjoyed to meet a new friend. In most circumstances this is a very people-oriented dog.

McNab Shepherds are very affectionate with their owners and like to stay close whenever possible. They aren’t prone to wandering. With their love of playing and engaging in games, they are perfect for active people who enjoy spending quality outside time with their dog. Although high-energy, they don’t tend to be hyperactive and obnoxious. McNabs also love to play with other dogs although can be prone to herding these other canines which may or may not be seen as rude behavior.

McNabs need daily physical exercise to keep them physically sound and mentally happy. They are very active dogs that need plenty of outlets for this high energy! Without these regular exercise sessions they can develop behavior problems. There is a wide variation of sizes in this breed – McNabs can be rather small or slightly large (although never overpoweringly so) – so a prospective owner should keep this in mind while calculating if this breed will fit into their lifestyle. While neither size will work out well in an apartment, a particular size may be a little easier to transport to the hiking trail (for example). Talking to the breeder can help an owner decide what size the puppies may grow into. Whatever the size, however, they’ll all have boundless energy!

As the McNab is still in development, appearance can vary quite considerably overall. The coat is “moderately short and smooth”, with some dogs having slight feathering on the ears and hind legs. Color can be either solid-colored, bi-colored, or tricolored of either black, red and/or blonde in any combination but often with white. Ears can be either drop, semi-erect or prick,  and mismatched ears are also seen and allowed. The tail can either be long or short – the latter either naturally or docked at birth. The breed is not recognized by any of the major registries and so while they do have a standard, they are not uniform as a breed at this time. Make no mistake, however – this is a true breed that can even be identified by DNA! It is just mainly bred for performance and natural abilities more than “just for looks”.

Photo By Randifredricks

The Shiloh Shepherd was officially recognized in the rare breed registries (not AKC) as an American breed in 1990. This fairly new breed was built in an effort to preserve “the German Shepherd of the past” in terms of character. Breeders sought to retain a protective dog that could be trustworthy with the family while possessing immense intelligence and supreme loyalty. A giant size was also important as these dogs needed to be just as stunning physically as they were mentally sound. The breed was to be gentle and calm while still possessing an ability to do all kinds of work – everything from competition obedience to therapy work to protection duties. Some members of the breed compete in agility, schutzhund, tracking, conformation, flyball, water rescue and herding competitions while others are employed as search and rescue dogs, detection dogs, livestock guardians or service dogs.

Training a Shiloh Shepherd is usually easy as he enjoys learning and having a sense of purpose. This talented dog needs a job to do and obedience training can function as a job in itself, or can be the first step to teaching the dog other jobs! Experienced dog owners are usually better able to provide the right types of mental stimulation needed, and are better able to navigate the sensitive side of this gentle giant.

Shilohs need exercise daily, and although they do best living inside the home with their family, they should also have a backyard to play in regularly. They need both physical as well as mental stimulation to keep their bodies and minds sharp! Running alongside a bike, trekking along on a hike, or chasing a Frisbee are all activities which the Shiloh enjoys. Although they are fairly calm indoors with proper exercise, it is a bad idea to keep one in an apartment. As the breed also lives to be around people, they don’t do well when left home by themselves all day and may turn into problem barkers in such a situation.

The Shiloh has been bred with a high focus on health. There are several registries for the breed, but all require any breeding animals to have been tested for heart defects and hip abnormalities. Further health testing is highly recommended as well including more advanced heart tests, testing for Degenerative Myelopathy, elbows, eyes, thyroid and screening for EPI. No dogs are allowed to be bred before the age of a year (or two years in a couple of the registries) so that some age-related conditions might possibly be observed beforehand. Both breeders and owners are also encouraged to participate in an ongoing diversity study as well, which seeks to determine the COI (co-efficiency of inbreeding) of various lines and the breed overall so that good choices can be made for the future. Overall the breed tends to live from 11-14, which is not horrible considering the size of these dogs.

Beyond health, the various Shiloh Shepherd registries also require all breeding dogs to have their DNA on file, be a minimum height (26 and 28 inches minimum for bitches and dogs, respectively), and pass a temperament test. Puppies themselves are also normally rated via temperament tests so that they can be best matched to prospective owners. Because temperament is a prime consideration of most breedings, it comes as no surprise that many easily pass CGC and other temperament tests when older. This breed is generally outgoing and friendly. They usually have a more gentle and laid-back demeanor than their GSD relatives.

When it comes to appearance, the Shiloh comes in one of two possible coat types – smooth (short) and plush (long). Neither variety should be shaved or otherwise trimmed, but naturally longer areas of the coat will appear along the neck and shoulders and behind the breeches and tail. Both varieties are double-coated and should be somewhat harsh, although the plush coats will have soft undercoat underneath the outer guard coat. Colors include a black saddle or blanket combined with tan, red, beige, gold, silver or cream. Bi-colors can appear in these same color combinations. Sables, solid blacks and solid whites are also seen. Although closely related to the German Shepherd, they have a more level topline and are drastically bigger.

The Shiloh Shepherd does well with children although should be socialized with them from puppyhood for best results. The same can be said for the Shiloh with other household pets. Stability and adaptability are two key features that the breed is known for, so as long as the owner raises the dog correctly it is very likely that there will be good results! Both aggression and shyness are severely penalized in the breed standard. Overall he can do just as well living with a single owner as he can do with a large family, assuming the groundwork of training has been laid and the dogs’ needs are met. Although designed to be a multi-functional breed, the single most important purpose was to be a loyal companion and this is a job he does well!

The New Zealand Huntaway was created by mixing Border Collie with various other breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler. Farmers wanted a dog that would use his voice in combination with his body when it came to herding sheep in the vast fields of New Zealand. The first mention of this breed was in 1870, with a class specifically for Huntaway in a sheepdog trial. This herding breed was created solely to work, without much thought to a standardized appearance, which means that individual dogs can look drastically different from each other. Although recognized by the New Zealand Kennel Club, the standard specifically states that the dogs shouldn’t be shown and should only be utilized to work. Breeders must only focus on working ability and general soundness when choosing dogs to breed, and only dogs that win at trials are allowed to be entered into the stud book.

The Huntaway is an athletic breed with a charming temperament and supreme intelligence – and above all an intense herding ability! When not given work to do, this highly active dog can become destructive and hyperactive. He should only be owned by very active individuals who are able to give him the mental and physical exercise he needs, and lots of it! This is an outdoorsy breed who prefers to spend most of his time in the fresh air, with livestock and other dogs if at all possible. The standard actually states that the breed should not be kept solely as a pet.

New Zealand Huntaways are motivated to learn and love (need) to work! They are exceptional in obedience when trained by those who can recognize their “quirks”, namely – that they can become easily bored with repetition and need lessons to be interesting and engaging. They are also fairly independent and might need a bit of “convincing” to follow commands how the trainer prefers rather than “putting their own spin on it”. As might be expected, they also do well in herding trials as they are good problem solvers while working with sheep. They learn very quickly and retain the commands for a long time. The breed can be successful in a number of dog sports including agility.

The Huntaway often forms a close bond with his owner, whom he respects deeply. He tends to like all people and even enjoys meeting strangers which means that while he is not a guard dog, he is a reliable and social breed. He also does well with other animals – whether it be other dogs or livestock, although may chase other creatures to herd them (especially if smaller than him). He likewise gets along with children.

Although the New Zealand Huntaway will bark a lot when working, he can be somewhat quiet otherwise if all his needs are provided for. The deep bark when working sheep is meant to alert the farmer as to his position, as the fields of New Zealand are covered in hills in which the dog and the flock can sometimes be lost. The bark is unique, in that there will be pauses in between the multiple barks, allowing his voice to echo and be heard from long distances.

As stated above, the Huntaway can have a highly varied appearance. The standard states that any size is acceptable although the mid-range is from 22 inches to 26, making this frequently a medium to large sized dog. Generally they are well-built and robust with a deep chest. The color is completely irrelevant although a vast majority of them are black and tan. The coat can be smooth, medium or long, and may also be “grizzly, bearded or rough, with or without undercoat”. The ears are placed on the top of the skull and are hanging in repose although may be lifted to a semi-erect position when listening. Again – first and foremost is the dogs’ working ability. Everything else must come second!

Photo By Cgoodwin

The Koolie has been around since the 1800’s and is one of Australia’s oldest breeds. This is a herding breed, through and through! Able to work any type of animal and in all manner of situations, they are also adaptable for many different dog sports and activities as well. They can excel in tracking, obedience, agility, trieball, flyball and canine freestyle. In addition they can also make excellent therapy dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs or even explosive detection dogs! Overall this is a hard working and talented breed that also doubles as a great pet for those who can meet their needs.

The Koolie is an extremely active breed, not only physically but also mentally. While many herding breeds were developed to have intense stamina, the Koolie was also developed to be extremely intelligent and focused as well. This means that not only must the amount of exercise be upped, but also the amount and intensity of training. The Koolie lives to work and he especially enjoys challenging mental exercise. He loves to solve puzzles, make his owner happy, and learn! This is a dream-come-true for experienced owners who want to push their training limits with a dog, but a nightmare for someone who can’t or won’t dedicate lots of time to the process. Koolies that aren’t trained regularly quickly become extremely frustrating to live with because they need an outlet for their brain. Not only can they become bored and destructive, but also tend to take over the household and make their own rules!

At this time there is no official breed standard for the Koolie as most breeders agree the working qualities should come first. Ears can be either pricked, semi-pricked or hanging. Coats can appear as anything from very smooth to fairly long, and come in a variety of colors. Eyes can also be seen in a number of colors or even be split-color. Size and weight also has quite a bit of variation. Although there is no formal standard, there are guides and outlines detailing the most important points that breeders should be striving for, along with the possibility that a more detailed standard may come later. But for now there is a wide variation in appearance, with regional styles tying into the particular conditions in which the dogs work. For example, a cold weather region where dogs are expected to work tough cattle will likely house Koolies that have longer, thicker fur and a sturdier build.

Koolies tend to get along well with other pets and animals, although may need a bit of guidance at first from their owners to ensure they play nicely. This is a devoted and dedicated breed when it comes to their human family and they want nothing more than to please. They are often gentle and patient with children (although it is important to supervise the interactions with very young children). People-loving, they do best with owners that are home frequently or are able to take the dog to work with them. This is a loyal and social dog.

The Koolie is moderately active indoors and very active outdoors, which means he needs a home with a large backyard to run in. It was mentioned once and it’s worth mentioning again… this dog does best with very active owners who are able to give the dog plenty of exercise! He is not a couch potato, nor is he a dog that will do well on only one short walk a day. He needs to move, move, move!

While most Koolies are healthy, there are some genetic problems that a prospective buyer should be on the lookout for. As is the case with all breeds that come in a merle pattern, merle dogs should never be bred together with each other because the resulting puppies could be born blind, deaf or both! A responsible breeder will never even attempt this type of mating but naive or irresponsible breeders may not know any better. Merle Koolies should only be bred to solid-colored Koolies! Allergies and other immune-related conditions are also occasionally seen in the breed. Overall, however, this rare breed has a large gene pool and most individual dogs remain healthy. The average lifespan is 16-18.

It is said that “one Blue Lacy can do the work of three cowhands”. The state dog of Texas, this workhorse of a dog was developed by the four Lacy brothers in the Texas Hill Country in the mid 1800’s. It is said that Greyhound, scenthound (although which breed/s remain unknown), and even coyotes went into the mixture when developing the breed. They have been around for over 100 years and have always been used as multipurpose ranch dogs. Although their numbers dipped very low when machines began taking the place of working dogs, they experienced a resurgence when farmers and hunters re-discovered them. They are fantastic at tracking game, blood-tracking injured game, and will not hesitate to bay wild hogs! Because of these skills, they are the most popular dog with United States Trappers. They are also adept at herding, bird hunting, treeing, and search-and-rescue.

Lacys love to work, and in fact need a job to do to keep them happy and out of trouble. They are highly intelligent and easy to train, although they are known for being dominant. Owners need to be equipped to handle this – enlisting a fair yet firm set of household rules. While this breed absolutely needs clear boundaries and a firm no-nonsense training style, they do not do well with outright abusive training or yelling. They need a balanced approach. When left to their own devices this is a fairly independent breed. It is only with training that one can take their natural instincts and cleverness and mold them into the amazing working dogs that they have the capability to be! This breed can succeed and thrive in dog sports like agility, tracking, obedience, herding, flyball and hunt competitions.

The Blue Lacy has tons of energy and is quick on his feet, meaning he needs an owner who can keep up with his high exercise requirements. Without both physical and mental outlets he will quickly become bored and destructive in the home. This is absolutely NOT a dog that can be thrown into a kennel (indoor or outdoor) for the majority of the day, or otherwise be left to his own devices all day as he is not only active, but also very social. Puppies are particularly active and need even more exercise, but this long-lived breed (averaging 18 years) will likely be energetic, headstrong and “enthusiastic” for a majority of his life. If his needs are met, however, he is very enjoyable as a house companion.

The Lacy has a territorial streak and he might become protective when strangers enter his property. He’s not a fan of new people in general, especially when they come near his home. Remember that this is a headstrong dog who needed a tenacious streak in order to take on full-size cattle or ornery wild hogs. It’s very important to socialize this breed when young and give him ongoing obedience training. Although he is sweet and affectionate with his owners, an owner should not let him get away with overly territorial behavior. Alert and warning barks are one thing – and should be expected – but don’t let this breed become overly protective when not warranted, nor let him become possessive of you!

Blue Lacys are medium-sized dogs that need room to run on a regular basis. Everything about their build shows that they are constructed for endurance, speed and function. The deep chest allows for ample lung space. The topline is level and strong, allowing for free, smooth movement. Legs are powerful, atop feet with well-arched toes. Shoulders are muscled and well laid back, balanced by strong and likewise well-muscled thighs. Interestingly, the Blue Lacy actually comes in three colors: blue, red or tri-color! Even reds and tris are still called Blue Lacys as all Lacys have blue genetics. Minimal white markings are always present although excessive white or white above certain areas of the body are disqualifying faults.

The Lacy is a breed for an experienced dog owner only – particularly an owner who is just as strong-willed as he is – and someone who is active and outdoors-y. Because of this breed’s energy level and intensity, he is not recommended for families with small children. As might be guessed, this is not a dog for apartment living and ideally should live on a property with a large yard to run in. This breed does have a high prey drive and probably won’t be a good match for those with small pets, nor is he always the most friendly with other dogs. Keeping in mind that this dog also tends to bark excessively and is more prone to wandering when not fenced, along with needing excessive mental and physical exercise – it’s no wonder they are pegged as “not for novice” dogs! But for those people who can handle them, this is a dog that has it all in terms of working ability!

Photo By TrueBlueLacys

The Bouvier des Ardennes is a Belgian breed that was originally developed as a cattle drover, but was also used for other tasks as well such as tracking large game. During both World Wars, they were even used as poachers’ dogs. This is a tough and steadfast breed that, unfortunately, became more rare as farms slowly became more sparse in their original region of the Ardennes. Although developed in the 1600’s, the breed had to be rescued from the brink of extinction in the 1980’s. Today it is recognized by the UKC and abroad although is still fairly rare in every part of the world.

The Ardennes is a medium-sized breed that is highly adaptable to many different jobs and environments, provided that he is brought up as a working dog in a home that has space for him to move and work. This is a dog that definitely needs a job, and without one he can be difficult to live with! Luckily he is quite smart and easy to train, which means that getting him started on a job shouldn’t be too difficult. Herding is a prime example of a job he is still well-suited for although he is enthusiastic to do almost any job assigned whether it be agility, flyball or competitive obedience. It is very important to mention that this breed means business, and if he feels like his owner/trainer isn’t competent he may try to take over or challenge authority.

The Bouvier des Ardennes does enjoy spending time with his owners and can develop a very deep bond. In fact, he will absolutely take the role of guard dog if he feels like his family is in danger! In addition to defending “his people” when he feels it necessary, he will also serve as a general watch dog and announce when anyone comes onto the property. In fact, he can be somewhat of a vocal dog in general. Take note that despite his independent nature, when left to his own devices for long stretches of time he is prone to developing separation anxiety and can become a problematic barker. He shouldn’t be owned by those who work long hours.

The scruffy appearance of the Ardennes is due to his coarse, wiry coat which served as protection from the harsh climate while he worked. Medium in length, dense, double and weatherproof – any evidence of the coat being trimmed is an immediate disqualification in the show ring. He must have a mustache and beard about 2 inches in length, and the coat can be any solid color other than white. The standard notes that the dog should look rugged and have “a rather forbidding appearance”, even noting that dogs should be judged naturally and without being stacked. The Ardennes should have a heavy bone that makes him look bigger than he actually is. Fully erect ears are preferred, although semi-pricked or rose ears are acceptable. They should never be cropped. The tail can be long or short, either naturally or docked.

The Bouvier des Ardenees tends to thrive with other household dogs as long as he was raised with them. Socialize him early and keep him safely contained in a fenced yard so he doesn’t wander and come into contact with poorly socialized dogs that could sour his experience. Cats and even livestock are also normally a-ok! Smaller pocket pets might be seen as a tasty snack unless kept safely caged, so don’t take the hamster out when he’s in the room! The Ardennes does well in a household with children and can become the child’s best friend – although like other herding breeds can be prone to nipping at heels in an attempt to herd the kid. In general, he is also amiable to meeting new people although he likes to observe them for a bit before rushing to say hi.

Ardennes are high energy herding dogs that must have regular exercise in order to keep them from becoming destructive and/or hyperactive in the home. They need owners that are just as active as they are that are willing to provide lots of outdoor activities. This hard-working athlete benefits from more than just a simple walk around the block, and does best with a more intense and varied workout. As long as the dog is conditioned to the task, he can do almost anything! This is a very healthy breed that can accompany his owner on high-impact hikes, swimming sessions, and other similar activities.

Bouvier des Ardennes are playful and happy in the home as long as everything is fairly consistent. They thrive on routine and can become somewhat nervous when new situations arise or a big change occurs. For this reason, it can take them a long time to be ok if they need to be rehomed. Socialization is extremely important while in puppyhood so the dog can get used to encountering new and different objects, people and places! This is vital to early brain development in all dogs, but even more so in breeds that are predisposed to finding change difficult. Undersocialized Ardennes are more prone to aggression or extreme fear.

Photo By Carberetmichbini

The English Shepherd is an incredibly versatile and intelligent breed. Known for his working ability, this is an outstanding pet for active owners who are able to provide working outlets for their dog to enjoy. This is a herding breed first and foremost that is also ready and able to compete in other dog sports such as agility, disk dog, flyball, barn hunt, dock diving, nosework, tracking, rally, obedience, coursing and carting. Still others make excellent therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs or even hunting partners! Their multi functional talents come from the fact that this breed was originally a true “farm dog”, tasked with an array of chores around the farm which they were expected to accomplish. Herding was but one of their jobs, although they are exceptional even in this regard for they can herd any type of animal whether large or small.

The ES is known for their incredibly loyal natures. Their fondness for “their people” is legendary, even giving them the nickname of “English Shadows” as they want to be near their owners as much as possible. They also tend to get along well with other dogs and household pets of all sizes. While they are also courageous and will get “down and dirty” when herding cantankerous livestock, their general nature is one of friendliness and extreme devotion that will last their entire lifespan of 12-13 years.

English Shepherds are very reserved to strangers, to the point that some may think them shy. Most properly socialized ES are not actually shy and instead just need time to make up their minds about a new person. Once accepted, that stranger will become a treasured friend. When in the yard they may bark at passers-by, and some might even attempt to hold a person at bay if that stranger ventures into the yard. While they aren’t generally an aggressive dog they can be territorial. It is important to socialize this breed early so that they don’t get carried away with this territorial nature! Although they aren’t known to jump fences in search of trouble they will certainly take their watchdog duties seriously.

The ES is a high energy breed that must be given daily exercise – both physical as well as mental. This is a breed with immense stamina and can essentially run all day, which means that a walk around the block won’t even come close to being enough! This alert working dog much prefers a long invigorating hike or similar activity every day. Without enough physical or mental stimulation he may become a territorial barker, a counter-surfing, trash-raiding nuisance, or even a neighborhood menace. This breed does best in a rural home and would make a horrible choice for an apartment.

The ES thrives on finding work to do, and is intelligent and able to solve even complex problems. This makes him a natural when it comes to training, for he can pick up commands exceptionally quickly! He loves to please and has a deep desire to work and do training activities with his owner. Most owners are not prepared for a dog with this much drive to work, and as such this is not the breed for everyone. Not only does he want a job, but without one he can become difficult to live with as he’ll try to “make his own jobs”. When paired with someone who can provide for his needs, however, this is a dog which can wow when it comes to competition and dog sports!

There can be a lot of variation in the appearance of the English Shepherd, as most individuals are bred to work which means function is valued over physical features. Members of the breed can sometimes be confused with Border Collies, Aussies, Collies or simply mutts but make no mistake – this is a purebred dog. When evaluating an ES in order to differentiate from another breed, a few telltale features include being a medium size, having a square body shape, the presence of a stop on the face (in contrast to the sloping muzzle of the Collie), and a lack of merle coloring (the ES is never merle). The ES may or may not have a tail. Ears can be rose, semi-pricked or hanging but are not normally fully erect.

One interesting trait of the English Shepherd is his desire for “things to be the way they should be”. What does this mean? Many ES strongly believe in order and rules. Not only do they strive to live by the household rules set forth by their owner, but also believe that other dogs should be following these rules as well! As such, they tend to be referees or even “fun police” in settings where other dogs are playing. They don’t normally tend to be aggressive as much as they seek to keep order in a pack the way that they see fit! For obvious reasons, they work out well in households where rules are set down clearly for them to follow. If there are no rules, they’ll make their own!