The Miniature American Shepherd is a relatively new breed originating in the 60’s. Bred down from the larger Australian Shepherd, they were known by several different names in the past (and there are still different registries today who know the breed by other names). Despite what they are called, this breed is a small herding dog and companion. Their size makes them easier to own than other herding breeds… but this does not mean that they fit into every lifestyle. They still possess the same high drive and energy as their larger relatives!

Vastly intelligent and devoted to their owners, the Mini American is a breeze to train! They enjoy spending time with family – as well as using their brain, which means obedience training is a perfect fit. These dogs must have a job to do, or they will become difficult to live with. Destructive behavior and excessive barking are the result of a Mini American who is not provided with enough mental stimulation. Otherwise, they are fairly quiet dogs.

Great with kids and other pets, the Mini American is an excellent choice for a family companion – provided their needs are met. They are naturally sensitive and often seem to know the emotions and needs of their owners, providing comfort and support. They will follow members of the family from room to room (occasionally becoming tripping hazards). Being herding dogs, they may try to herd the children of the household. The breed is aloof and naturally suspicious with strangers, with a touch of a protective streak. Early socialization is a necessity to keep their aloof nature from becoming fear.

Mini Americans require a moderate amount of daily exercise, although their small size makes this need easier to fulfill. Although their energy requirements are on-par with other herding breeds, their shorter legs means that they will get tired-out over smaller distances! Well-exercised Miniatures are calm and easy-going in the house, and can even make great lap-dog. They are the perfect breed for those who want a dog to compete in multiple dog sports (agility, flyball, herding, etc.) as well as have an “off-switch” at home!

This breed does shed year round – and twice a year they shed even more than normal. Keeping the coat brushed out a few times a week with help with the process, and to stop mats from forming. The coat comes in a number of beautiful colorations; the four main color patterns are red, red merle, black and blue merle. Each of these coats can also be accompanied by white and/or tan markings which gives rise to an even greater number of color possibilities!

The Beauceron is a powerful French working breed with a commanding presence. Incredibly versatile, this breed can take on almost any task and perform it exceptionally. Equally adept as a therapy dog as he is in Schutzhund (a sport combining guard work with tracking and obedience), he can demonstrate both the highest level of intensity as well as the gentlest of temperament. Scent detection, weight pulling, police patrol work, multi-purpose herding dog, agility, sled mushing… the list goes on and on! Owning a dog of this caliber takes an owner that can manage all of this, as well as provide all the exercise and mental stimulation that a Beauceron requires.

The Beauceron is a dog that needs a lot of exercise. Originally bred to serve as a “living fence”, the breed would often travel 30 miles a day with their flock of cattle or sheep. As such they naturally have a lot of energy that needs to be expended. While many Americans today do not live on farms, they still need to find ways for their Beaucerons to burn off this energy. Dogs that are not given ample opportunity to work will most likely take their frustrations off on the house and their owners belongings. Bored Beaucerons can be destructive.

Temperamentally, it is recommended that newcomers to the breed choose their puppies wisely. Beaucerons are not recommended for those who have never before owned a dog, but even experienced dog owners need to be aware of their goals before choosing a pup. For example, someone who is planning on working their dog in protection sports might want to choose a confident male puppy. Someone else might want a family dog to work in basic obedience and might do better with a calm female. As a large dog that might be dominant, Beauceron owners need to be honest with themselves (and the breeder) about their goals, lifestyle and dog experience in order to start off on the right foot!

Make sure that the puppy you buy is from a reputable breeder who holds temperament in high regard. A well-bred Beauceron should never be skittish or aggressive, but occasionally this trait will pop up with breeders who don’t care about good dispositions. Do not confuse aggression with the breed’s naturally protective attributes. A Beauceron will not hesitate to protect his owner if danger arises, even with no prior protection training. Even in the home, many like to keep a close eye on their owner and will often follow the person from room to room.

Despite their fairly short coats, the Beauceron does shed. While they won’t drop as much coat as one of the Northern breeds might, a potential owner must ask themselves just how much hair they would be bothered by. A simple brushing several times a week will greatly reduce the amount of “hair tumbleweeds” rolling across the floor. Otherwise, the breed requires very little grooming and is generally considered an easy-keeper.

Very intelligent, but strong-willed and independent, the Beauceron is certainly trainable by those who know what they are doing. And yes… training is a necessity with this strong breed, along with early socialization! Many like to jump on people and will need to be trained to stop this behavior. Another common breed trait is their mouthiness – they like to grab at clothing and hands in a playful manner. Their exuberance combined with their love of people and the fact that they can be slow to mature can make them a handful!

This breed is often gentle with children but does best in homes with kids out of the toddler years. Their size and energy level increases the chances of them accidentally knocking a very young child down. With older members of the family, this breed makes a loyal companion of the highest caliber. Only with strangers will the Beauceron act aloof and occasionally suspicious (although never aggressive unless provoked).

Photo CC BY-SA 3.0

The Berger Picard is a newly recognized breed that, at first glance, might look like a mixed breed dog. Indeed, this is truly not the case. This herding breed is thought to be one of the oldest sheepdogs from France – perhaps as old as 400 BC! The breed is loyal and sensitive, yet clownish and possessing a big sense of humor, which makes them great pets for a family or single owner. Many Picards actually prefer having only one owner – a throwback to the days when they would work with a single shepherd in the fields. If they are owned by a family they may choose one particular person with whom they will spend most of their time with.

The Picard is intelligent and fairly easily trained, although some come with a bit of a stubborn streak. In addition, they can be sensitive both to corrections as well as the tone of voice being used. They are paradoxically both independent yet willing to work with people, a combination not often seen in many breeds. In fact, training a Picard is often a different experience than training other dogs. It is important to find what motivates the dog – in Picards, toys can be very useful – and teach by getting the dog engaged and excited! Too much repetition can be boring for Picards so it’s best to mix it up and keep it fun!

As with most herding breeds, the Picard is active and lively does require regular exercise. In addition, they should also be provided with some sort of job to do to keep them mentally stimulated. As long as these things are provided, they are normally quiet and calm in the house. If the Picard does not get them, they may become destructive and obnoxious. Quick note about exercise – care should be taken not to over-exercise young puppy Picards as their joints cannot handle the undue stress of too much forced exercise.

Unlike many other herding breeds, the Picard can live in an apartment as long as they are taken out often enough. In fact, many Picards that live in the country prefer to be inside with their owners rather than outside in the yard! This is a testament to how much they love to be with their people. If a Berger Picard is left outside for too long he may become annoyed and might just consider digging giant holes in your yard… 

Good with children, this sensitive breed is normally trust-worthy and gentle. They do just as well with toddlers and younger children as they do with teenagers. Although Picards love their families, they can be standoff-ish around strangers and sometimes require a bit of time before they develop trust. This natural suspicion also means that they are protective of their owners, making them excellent guard dogs.

Grooming is a fairly easy endeavor with this breed. Keeping the coat brushed out a few times a week is usually a quick task, and some coats only need to be brushed about once a month!  Their wiry coat does not smell, form mats, or collect dirt very easily. Picards do shed – but normally only twice a year. During those times of year they will need to be brushed a little more often, but no more than a few times a week. Many owners of Picards rarely bathe their dogs.

The Berger Picard does have a high prey drive and will chase cats and other small animals – especially if outside. If raised with cats from puppyhood however, many Picards learn to live peacefully with them. The breed also tends to get along well with other dogs.

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most versatile breeds in the world -used in tracking, at herding livestock, in drug detection work, on search and rescue missions, as seeing eye dogs, and in protection work – to name a few. They are used by the military & police, owned by dog sport competitors, and loved by families of all types. The breed is stable and unwavering loyal to the members of their family. They are also remarkably sensitive to their owners’ emotions, knowing almost intuitively when someone is feeling sad or depressed.

Although Shepherds are extremely adaptable to their environment, they still need to be owned only by those that understand their needs and limits. When well-bred, they are courageous and self-confident while still retaining an aloof nature to those who they do not know. Although they are very protective of their owners, they should never be outright aggressive unless their person is under threat.

Unfortunately, not all German Shepherds come from good breeders. This is common when breeds become popular and are bred by people who would be better off collecting stuffed animals rather than producing puppies. Ill-bred Shepherds, as well as under-socialized ones, often have many behavioral and health problems. It is extremely important, when looking for a puppy, to only contact responsible breeders who health-test and temperament-test the parents. Avoid pet shops at every possible cost!

Highly trainable, Shepherds are almost always willing to learn new things. They also have great problem-solving abilities which makes them ideal for even specialized training. The higher the drive (prey drive, play drive, etc.), the more sought after they are by trainers. Very high drive dogs usually work best in working homes, while medium or low drive dogs are easier to live with for families. Although they are incredibly intelligent dogs, they can be dominant and need firm leadership. This applies not only to training, but to everyday living. The breed should not be owned by those who are unable to create and enforce rules and structure. 

Athletic and active, they demand owners that are able to provide a working lifestyle for the dog. Whether this be through vigorous daily exercise combined with frequent training, or through a job in which they are assigned (such as herding or guarding), a Shepherd needs to have physical and mental stimulation. As the breed can be very active indoors, owners will quickly find that regular exercise will help their dog be better behaved in the house. For obvious reasons, they are not generally recommended for apartment living.

Shepherds are fairly hardy dogs and do fine outside in most weather, but they should always be kept in securely fenced yards when outside. Wood fences are recommended above chain link, as the breed can be territorial and are prone to racing the fence and barking at passerby’s. This will prevent stress to both the dog as well as the passerby’s. It should also be noted that Shepherds generally are not noisy dogs unless their needs are not being met, such as being kept in a yard all day with nothing to do.

As far as their temperaments with other dogs, some get along with “housemates” just fine while others prefer to be “only dogs”. Shepherds tend to be dominant with other dogs- especially males, and inter-household fighting is not uncommon. If planning to have multiple dogs, it is recommended to introduce your Shepherd to the living situation while he is still a puppy. While this does not guarantee anything, it will help. Either way, many have problems with strange dogs and so should be socialized extensively to prevent future problems.

Shepherds are often fond of children and usually live very harmoniously with them. They are very affectionate, yet gentle. While the breed has many good qualities, it is worth remembering that the way the dog turns out is one-part genetics and one-part training/lifestyle. Because they need firm leadership and have higher-than-average exercise and training needs, the Shepherd is not recommended for first-time dog owners. A good Shepherd is born and then shaped into who he is by knowledgeable training and experienced care.

The Belgian Tervuren is one of four breeds that, in Europe, is referred to as the Belgian Shepherd. Here in American, we’ve separated the breeds and because of this, there are distinct differences in temperament and personality between them. Today we’re going to focus on the Tervuren. The Terv – is he is affectionately called – is a breed suited to many different working tasks.

High stamina, sharp intellect and great dexterity make this breed as great at herding (one of its original purposes) as well as many other jobs. Tervs often score high in obedience and tracking competitions, but have known to do well in a great number of other dog sports. Other sports to try include schutzhund, agility, conformation, rally, therapy work and flyball. Some have even been known to pull sleds!

They are very highly trainable and have a lot of energy, which makes them great for people looking for a dog to put a lot of time into… but not so great for a first-time dog owner. Novice owners should also be aware that although Tervurens are very intelligent and willing to please, they can also be independent thinkers and sensitive to corrections. The fine-tuning that needs to be applied to training is best done by someone with prior experience in training dogs. There can be variations in the temperament of the Tervuren, with some being very active and having high drive, and others being more relaxed and calm. They should never be shy or aggressive. On the whole, however, most are very responsive to their owners while being both perceptive and sensitive to changes in the world around them. Many can be quite demanding of attention at times. This can be both good and bad. Good because this makes them ideal for training, but bad because this can also make them pushy. It’s important to find a balance wherein you give your dog the attention he is asking for through obedience… while also teaching him that YOU are the one that ultimately makes the decisions about when to train.

Tervurens are very loyal to their families and may take it upon themselves to watch over those who they care about. Those with the right dispositions can become guard dogs. In Belgium, they are used as police dogs! They are naturally suspicious of strangers and may be aloof until they get to know the person. Tervs get along very well with children, and will watch and protect them in the same way that they watch and protect older members of their family. As with all herding breeds, be aware that they may also try to herd your children.

It is important to give your Tervuren the exercise he needs – both physical as well as mental – so that he doesn’t become bored and destructive. While some can adjust to being apartment dogs, those that do are either older in age, naturally on the more mellow side, or are given a lot of exercise multiple times a day. Generally it is not recommended to have a Terv if you live in an apartment.

“Belgian Shepherd Tervuren running” by Cwazi at the Dutch language Wikipedia.

If the Belgian Malinois could be summed up in one word, many people might use the term “active” to describe them. While they have several other qualities including being intelligent, agile, and loyal, it must be stressed that the Malinois was bred to be a working dog. As such, they have more energy than the average person would prefer in a pet, combined with a desire to work that must be met with an owner just as concerned with fulfilling that need.

This is not a good match for a first-time dog owner… even people who have owned dogs their entire lives are surprised at the energy and drive that these dogs possess! For experienced dog owners looking for a breed to train and compete with seriously, however, the Malinois might be a good fit. The breed can be a great contender in many different dog sports including tracking, obedience, herding, agility, conformation, flyball, lure coursing, and protection sports.

Dogs which are not trained and worked frequently (daily or every couple of days) tend to get bored and destructive. The same goes for Malinois that do not receive daily exercise! Training these dogs can be a lot of fun, as they are extremely fast learners and they have a great desire to please! That said, some can be sensitive to harsher corrections so care must be taken to find a correction level that is “just right” for the dog. The Malinois temperament can vary, from quite friendly to more serious to slightly aloof. Obedience training should be conducted with your specific dog’s temperament in mind.

Some Malinois can become protective of their “people” and territorial of their house/yard. If this behavior starts up, the owner needs to consider two things. First, does the owner want the dog to be a protection/guard dog? Second, is the behavior based on fear or is it natural guarding instinct? The Belgian Malinois is considered a protection breed. He is used in police work and as a home security dog because he has been bred for these traits. Anyone wanting to own one needs to be aware of this. He is never going to be a friendly Labrador, welcoming strangers into an empty house. However, depending on how protective the owner wants the dog to be, he can often be shaped and molded to better fit their lifestyle. Someone who doesn’t want a guard dog might be able to shape the dog into something more akin to an alert dog, with training. Someone else, who might prefer a personal protection dog, needs to seek the specific training for that.

A Malinois that is barking or lunging out of fear needs to be evaluated by a trainer who knows how to turn that fear into confidence. It should be noted that a fearful or aggressive Malinois is not typical, provided that the dog was well-bred and well-socialized by his owners. Protective does not equate with aggressive. Another trait to watch for is nipping/herding behavior. Because they were bred to herd livestock, this behavior comes natural to them. That energy should be channeled into more acceptable activities.

A fenced yard is recommended so that your Malinois can run and play freely without the worry of him trying to herd cars and subsequently getting hit. This is not a breed that can be left outside by himself, however. He definitely needs and thrives off of human interaction, more so than many other breeds. The breed is very attentive and loving of their owners, whether adults or children, often following them from room to room.

Malinois can be good with kids, however it must be stressed that the children need to be taught how to interact fairly with the dog. This goes for a dog of any breed. Older children tend to do better than younger ones, however, as this breed does like to rough-house and could unintentionally harm a young kid.

“Hameau-St-Blaise-Yuppie-01” by own – Own work.