The Catalonian Sheepdog was developed in the Catalonian Pyrenees Mountains in Spain. He was created to herd and drive stock from place to place, as well as to serve as a guard dog. During the Spanish Civil War he was used as a messenger and sentry. More recently he has also been used as a police dog and in search and rescue! High spirited, hard working and versatile, he was even chosen to be the mascot of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic games! Not well known, this is a rare breed that was once on the verge of extinction but has been rising steadily in numbers since the 1970’s. While he is recognized by the UKC in the United States, he is often only seen overseas, primarily in Spain.

Catalonians are intelligent and tend to do well in dog sport competitions, from obedience competitions to agility! Many also compete in treibball (herding a giant ball), canine freestyle (doggie dancing), flyball, rally, conformation, tracking and herding. This is a breed that needs to have regular mental stimulation so training them in obedience and/or other dog sports should be considered essential – even if the owner doesn’t actually plan to compete. Those who have livestock to herd, or are able to bring their dog to livestock, make especially good owners for this breed!

As a working/herding dog, the happy and cheerful Catalonian Sheepdog is athletic and needs plenty of exercise. While their long coat may make it seem as though they shouldn’t be outside too frequently, in fact they are known as being great in all weather and are fairly resistant to both heat and cold (within reason, of course). Therefore a rainy day is no excuse not to go on a walk! These working dogs need a decent amount of physical activity every single day so owners must be active themselves.

The Catalonian has excellent herding skills and can do this job with very little training. They do have an independent streak which is prized by shepherds, as they will make their own decisions about how best to handle a flock. In terms of attitude during herding – they are known for their courage and dedication to the job, as well as their compassion towards the animals they have been charged to work with. Take note that the Catalonian will likely try to herd people and other animals – it’s in his blood!

Catalonian Sheepdogs are dedicated and loyal to their owners and get along well with other dogs and pets. They are also gentle with children despite their enthusiastic demeanors. Although extremely friendly towards those whom they know, they are much more aloof and suspicious of strangers until they get to know them. While they shouldn’t be outright aggressive, the correct temperament for them is to be naturally wary and protective until they are certain that the stranger poses no threat. Some can be overly nervous – this is usually a result of subpar socialization. It is vital that they be extensively socialized from early puppyhood so that this does not happen.

While the majority of Catalonians are very healthy, prospective owners should only buy from breeders who health test hips and eyes, as both can occasionally be problematic in the breed. This said, most members of the breed live healthily for 13-14 years as long as vet care and exercise needs are met. This breed will thrive if giving a living situation that includes a large fenced yard for them to romp in regularly, rather than being cooped up in a small home.

The Catalonian Sheepdog is a medium sized dog with an athletic build that may look stockier than it is because of the long hair. The double coat can be either flat or slightly wavy, and often sheds in a very unusual way with dogs losing hair on the front end before moving onto the hind end! Colors include various shades of fawn, grey, sable or a black/tan coloration. The long coat extends even to the face, with a beard and other facial furnishings being expected. As should be predicted, they do require a higher-than-average grooming commitment and need to be brushed frequently.

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The Barbado da Terceira is a rare herding breed, just barely accepted into AKC’s FSS program. “Barbado” means bearded and Terceira is one of the islands of Azores, Portugal – their place of origin. This sprightly and active breed can make an excellent watchdog, guard dog and family dog; they are usually good with kids, and tend to be fairly trustworthy off-leash (although obviously some training is needed for reliability). They are medium in size which makes their exuberance a little easier to handle. These dogs are natural herders and will try to herd small moving people/animals/things, but this is just part of their inborn talents.

The coat of the Barbado is long and profuse and does require plenty of regular care. This is a low-shedding breed which in turn makes it easier for allergic people to tolerate them as well (however many people are actually allergic to dog saliva as well as dander, so no dog is completely hypoallergenic). Because the coat doesn’t shed much, it will continue to grow throughout the dog’s life. This means that it will require lots of brushing!

Terceiras are intelligent and easy to train however they can have assertive temperaments. They also can tend toward being strong-willed and prone to being “too smart for their own good” without clear direction. This means that obedience training and setting down firm rules is important. They are recommended only for experienced dog owners. That said, this dog does enjoy making his owner happy so he is quite capable of doing well under the guided teachings of a skilled owner. Stay firm yet fair – this breed may care more about a harsh voice than a harsh hand but that doesn’t mean you should over-correct!

The Barbado da Terceira is an active breed which does need regular exercise to be happy. A minimum of one long walk a day is essential to his well-being. A life of backyard romping as his sole source of exercise is not adequate – either for his physical needs or his mental needs. This social dog needs to live indoors with his owner! In fact, a large yard is not necessary for this breed and he can even live in an apartment as long as he is given exercise. His main desire is to be close to “his person”.

When living with multiple people in a home, Barbados tend to bond most closely to one person in particular. He will follow that person around whenever possible and keep an eye on them throughout the day. With other dogs in the family, he can get along with them as long as he had been introduced early. He may be a bit bossy and even rough in play, so keep an eye on interactions. Overall he is a loving and loyal dog and makes a fantastic pet in the right circumstances.

Photo By Bagguh

The Bohemian Shepherd was originally created to patrol the borders of Bohemia and Bavaria back in the 1300’s. First used as a guard dog, and then as a herding dog, they were constant companions of the people who lived and worked in the area. The breed as we know it today may have some of the original lineage still intact, or it may be a complete recreation – depending upon who you ask. Either way, today this breed is lively and athletic, and up for almost any task that can be thrown at him! The versatile Bohemian is also loyal and outgoing, great with children and an all-around awesome companion in the right home. Good with other pets, outgoing and attentive… he gets high scores in a number of different arenas!

Although they do require exercise, Bohemians are definitely capable of chilling out at home. They do enjoy being given tasks but aren’t quite as obsessive or high energy as other similar breeds. They are considered a medium energy dog with a generally docile temperament. While they can be happy with “just” an enriching family life, they do need some sort of job to stay happy and fulfilled. Besides, it would be a shame not to get this brainy fellow into a sport or two (both for his enjoyment and yours!) What types of activities can this dog do? A better question would be what can’t he do? Agility, schutzhund, nose work, herding, therapy work, coursing, endurance tests, freestyle, search and rescue, tracking, obedience, service dog work, dock diving… the list goes on and on.

Bohemian Shepherds are a joy to train and tend to learn very quickly! They enjoy a challenge and are often up for learning advanced commands as well as getting involved in various jobs/tasks/sports. Some are slightly sensitive so make sure to keep heavy, unfair corrections at bay. They also tend to do better when the trainer “mixes it up” and keeps them on their toes as otherwise they might become bored – a trait of intelligent dogs. Another plus – unlike many other high performing breeds they definitely have an off switch and can easily go from intensive training to rest time fairly quickly.

While he looks similar to the German Shepherd Dog at first glance, the Bohemian Shepherd is older and possibly even one of the predecessors of the GSD. Smaller than the GSD, with a more level back and a longer coat, it only takes a second to tell the difference once you know what you are looking for. In addition, the small fluffy ears are a distinctive breed trait and they give a different overall appearance. Health-wise, he is also generally healthier with less inherited issues. Average lifespan is 12-15. Finally, this breed is generally easier for novice owners as he has a softer temperament and lower drive in general. Make no mistake, however – like all dogs he still needs plenty of attention, exercise, care and training!

While they may seem too good to be true, like all breeds Bohemian ownership does come with some caveats. First, while they aren’t known for being problem barkers they can become destructive if their needs are not met or they are left alone for too much of the day. Second, their herding instincts may mean they can nip at heels and try to herd people and/or kids. Finally, this is a rare breed that can be very difficult to find. Expect to wait awhile for a puppy, and be prepared to have to import your new friend!

Grooming is a simple chore for the Bohemian, only requiring a good brush-out once or twice a week (not counting nails, teeth, or other maintenance grooming). There is no special trimming or clipping required. The double coat (which is always black and tan) tends to shed dirt, so baths only need to be done occasionally. The coat is protective and helps the dog stay warm in cold weather.

The Bohemian can make a good watchdog as he will alert to people entering the property. He can be kept outside in a yard (if given enough attention by the family – he doesn’t like to be alone all day), and will definitely raise the alarm from inside the fence. This said, when out in public he is generally friendly toward strangers. This breed can also live in an apartment setting and can usually learn to tell the difference between strangers and neighbors. This is definitely a rare breed worth checking out!

The Schapendoes was developed in the Netherlands and used to be a common sight around the sheep herding fields of the country. Belonging to the family of long-haired herding breeds – many of his relatives (such as the Old English Sheepdog, Bearded Collie and Briard) now are more well-known than himself. Despite his dwindling numbers, this has always been an intelligent dog with a great personality and a penchant for working.

When it comes to training, the Schapendoes is attentive and loves to learn. As a working/herding breed, he needs a job in his life to stay happy and obedience is a good start! After the basics have been laid down he can move to more interesting and athletic endeavors such as agility, rally, flyball and herding. This breed does require rules to be set down and enforced (in a fair way), and therefore learns best when training is structured and balanced. Although intelligent, this dog is not a pushover and may try to see what he can get away with. He can also be somewhat independent if he thinks “his way is the right way”. A bit of patience and a sense of humor may be required at times, but otherwise this breed is fairly easy to train. This also goes for off-leash training as the breed has a low-prey drive and isn’t prone to wandering.

Schapendoes are loyal toward the owners and often become very affectionate. They are friendly toward new people and enjoy meeting their “new friends” with a jolly and high-spirited attitude. The medium size of the breed makes them easier to handle when happy and bouncy – even easier when obedience trained! These social butterflies also tend to do well around other pets and animals, in addition to making great companions for children as they can be endlessly playful. The Schapendoes is an alert and courageous breed that makes a good watchdog. Although he will alert enthusiastically to people coming up to the door… he is far too friendly to function as a guard dog.

Schapendoes are fairly healthy and are not known for having specific health problems, although obviously any dog can suffer injury or illness. They live, on average, about 14-15 years when well taken care of. The long thick coat needs regular care, which helps not only the hair itself but the skin underneath. This wavy, yet thick coat is somewhat waterproof (enough to keep rain from easily reaching the skin), which means that bathing will require a bit extra work! The coat must be brushed with care to keep the important undercoat from being pulled out – it serves a very important insulating purpose. The coat will need to be brushed weekly when an adult, and daily during the coat change from puppy to adult. Fanciers of the breed should know that the Schapendoes should never be shaved or trimmed. Make sure you’re up for the challenge before acquiring a puppy!

The Schapendoes does require a great deal of exercise – sometimes as much as an hour or two a day depending upon the individual and the owner’s lifestyle. They can live in city situation, however the owner will have to work harder at making sure the dog is exercised. It becomes very apparent to those who walk a Schapendoes that this breed is quite athletic, with a characteristic bouncy gait and ability to jump tall heights. This means they can make great hiking and outdoor companions, and really do best with athletic, outdoorsy owners. When physically satisfied, they are calm and easygoing in the house.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog – the state dog of Louisiana – is an independent-minded yet faithful breed. This sturdy and powerful dog is not lacking in endurance and can be put to work in a number of different tasks, completing all sorts of varied jobs with ease. His original job was that of a hog hunter, which gives him his fearless temperament – he will not hesitate to go after a wild boar many times his own size! In addition to this task, he is also used for other jobs such as a watchdog, stock dog (herding), tree dog, guard dog and/or tracking dog. Today the breed can also be seen competing in obedience, rally and agility trials. In addition to these tasks, this versatile American breed makes a gentle and loyal companion.

Alert to his surroundings, the Cat is confident and naturally protective. Strangers will not be accepted blindly. He will also let his owners know when something is wrong and may take action to “correct the problem” if danger does arise. He can have a similar attitude toward other dogs and is more prone to dog-aggression than other breeds. These are some of many reasons why the breed is for experienced dog owners only! When everything is smooth-sailing, he can be affectionate, gentle and even playful. Good with older kids when supervised by an experienced dog owner. Again, experienced is the key word here. This wonderful breed needs to be owned only by those who understand and can manage this beautiful, yet challenging breed.

Leopards must be given early socialization from the time they are young puppies in order to accustom them to the world. Naturally territorial and suspicious of strangers, these traits can get out of hand if they haven’t been raised correctly! Furthermore they need early and continued obedience training, as well as firm boundaries and household rules. This is not a dog for the weak-willed as they will take the top spot of the household if they feel leadership is lacking. Nor is this a breed for someone who plans on using excessive force or intimidation in training as they can be defensive when threatened. Keep training fun to prevent boredom – this breed is smarter than many humans! Also keep in mind that although these working dogs crave a job, they have a primitive personality to boot and are not push-button obedience dogs.

The Catahoula Leopard requires a ton of exercise to keep him fit and healthy. Walks around the block won’t cut it. He needs long hikes, vigorous retrieve games (with toys made for destructive chewers), swimming opportunities and similar. Not only should he only live in an area with plenty of room to move and run (no apartments for this active breed), but he most definitely needs a regular job to occupy his mind as well. Like other high-energy, intelligent working breeds, without enough mental/physical outlets he can be extremely difficult to live with. Cats without a job are very destructive!

Catahoulas have a smooth coat that is often recognizable by a number of interesting and unique colors/patterns, including spotted, solid, brindle or patched. Extremely vivid and unusual eye colors (including two eyes of different colors and/or eyes containing multiple colors in the iris itself) are also frequently seen in the breed. When looking at puppies, remember that the more white in the coat, the more likely the dog may have hearing issues (unfortunately the merle and patched merled patterns are also linked to deafness). Luckily, there are tests which can let you know if the dog in question has an issue with deafness. This is a large breed with an athletic, although noticeably sturdy frame weighing as much as 90 pounds when fully mature (bitches will be slightly smaller).

Leopard Dogs do have a couple of health issues to be aware of – namely hip dysplasia, eye problems and the aforementioned deafness. Make sure to only buy from a responsible breeder who can show you the health clearances of the parents and related dogs in their lines. All purebreds and mixed breeds can develop health issues but buying from a breeder who health tests makes it easier to avoid the potential of problems down the line. When healthy, Cats frequently live between 12-14 years.

The Croatian Sheepdog is an energetic, clever herding breed who loves to work. His bravery, agility and alertness make him ideal for herding although he also makes a great companion as he is ever attentive and faithful to his owner. In addition, he makes a great watchdog for the home. This rare medium sized breed lives from 13-14 years and tends to be very healthy. He is easy to groom and his always-black coat only needs occasional baths and brushing.

The coat is one of the distinguishing features of the Croatian. Either curly or wavy, but always solid black (aside from the occasional small patch of white on the chest), this protective coat allows him to exist in almost any weather or climate. It even keeps the dog somewhat water-proof! Bathing the dog can be done, however shampoo and water might take a while to be worked down to the skin. In order to keep the curly water-resistant features of the hair, he shouldn’t be bathed too frequently. Finally, the curly or wavy locks do shed, but it is quite minimal. The coat, combined with the fox-like face (reminiscent of a spitz breed) and stubby tail (either natural or closely docked), give the Croatian his unique appearance.

Croatians do have a naughty side (such as when they get frustrated) and can be destructive – particularly in the form of digging. They require plenty of attention and fun to keep them entertained! Because their activity level is very high, they require an owner that can give them all the exercise they need. When properly exercised (both body and mind), they are calm and collected in the home. Croatians also do not like to be left alone and prefer to be with their people. In fact, some can become nuisance barkers if they are left alone too long. They are very social toward humans, including children. They also get along well with other pets. This said, they may tend to be wary around strangers so extensive socialization is highly recommended while they are puppies.

Croatian Sheepdogs make great candidates for obedience training as they are extremely biddable and tend to learn quickly. Besides obedience, they love learning and competing in dog sports such as frisbee, flyball, herding, conformation, tracking, agility, rally and skijoring. They relish learning new things and being given opportunities for jobs. Some members of the breed tend to be quite enthusiastic and vocal when being trained – and should be taught a quiet command. Because they can have an independent streak, an owner or trainer should make sure to stay consistent and always follow through on commands.

The Croatian Sheepdog can live in an apartment, but only if the owner is prepared to put extensive time into both mental and physical exercise. The breed is adaptable as long as his needs are met – and those needs are higher than many other breeds. They also require more attention and plenty of leadership compared to other dogs. A prospective owner should be honest with themselves as to whether or not their lifestyle will be a good fit for this breed. Furthermore, these strong-willed dogs do best with owners who are already experienced in owning dogs. For all but the most committed people, they are normally happiest in a home with a large yard and a high, escape-proof fence.

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is not the same breed as the Australian Cattle Dog, although he may look very similar. The stumpy tail (which is natural and not docked) is the easiest way to tell him apart from his cousin, however the breeds also differ in other ways both physically as well as temperamentally. The two breeds developed separately from the same ancestors, although the Stumpy is thought to have been developed first. This is a highly trainable, yet free-spirited herding breed that knows how to make his owner laugh.

The Stumpy is alert, attentive and extremely active, needing frequent, regular exercise as well as a job to do which can keep him busy. Not a great fit for an apartment, this breed requires a fenced area to run daily, in addition to activities and training routines with his owner. Hiking with a backpack, working with cattle, and/or very long jogs are the types of activities which work best for this high-stamina breed. In fact, some say that this breed is even more energetic than a Border Collie… which means very few people are able to actually give the breed the amount of exercise and work that it needs.

The Australian Stumpy tends to be easy to train for experienced owners (he’s more of a challenge for novices as he gets bored easily). He is a natural problem solver by nature, and without training, can get into all sorts of trouble. When given training – an owner can harness that power and use it for good rather than bad! The breed can do very well in all manner of dog competitions including obedience, flyball, frisbee, agility, conformation, tracking and herding. Some do Search and Rescue work. They love to work and enjoy challenges. This said, they can tend to be dominant and must be owned by those who will make and enforce rules. Otherwise, they will  run the household themselves, leading to all number of problems including extreme destructiveness and nonstop barking.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs do make good watchdogs since they will alert their owners to strangers at the door. Once they are introduced to a new person, they are standoff-ish which may or may not change as they get to know the person. If someone was to break in, many members of the breed make very capable guard dogs and will not hesitate to defend their household. It is vital to socialize Stumpy puppies extensively while young because, without this important step, they may grow into extremely wary or even aggressive adults.

Stumpies are good with kids (as long as they have been raised with them) and can make good pets in the right homes… however the right home can be hard to come across because of their vast requirement for exercise. This breed can be very obedient, trustworthy and loyal. Keep in mind that this herding breed may try to nip at the heels of humans, so use discretion with very young children (or people who would rather not have their heels nipped at!).

There are a few health concerns in the Australian Stumpy including deafness, so puppy buyers should make sure to research a breeder carefully. All breeds and mix breeds can have health issues, but responsible breeders will health test their dogs in order to minimize the chances. Most members of the breed are very healthy and hardy, however,  even having a high-than-average tolerance for heat than most other breeds of dog. The average lifespan of these dogs is 14-15 years, with some living as long as 18 years! In general, the Stumpy is an easy breed to take care of and doesn’t require very much grooming. Furthermore, their medium size makes them easier to transport while still having enough size to satisfy those who like a bigger dog.

As Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs were created almost exclusively as a working breed, they haven’t been bred to be a “typical pet” and may have a few traits to get used to. For example, they don’t always get along with other dogs (although may be ok if raised with them from puppy-hood). Some are also not safe around cats or other small pets. Furthermore, these are independent-minded dogs who won’t fawn over their humans in the same way that a Lab might. They enjoy being in the same room as their families but aren’t overly affectionate. As mentioned above, the single biggest difference between a Stumpy and “the average dog” is the fact that they require an almost inexhaustible amount of exercise and mental stimulation. This alone makes them very difficult to own for the average person.

Photo By Wendy Hodges