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herding dog
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herding dog, any of several breeds of dogs that herd livestock. They
also typically make fine family pets or obedience competitors. The rise
of herding dogs is closely tied to the domestication of sheep and other
livestock during the Neolithic Period. Herding breeds are intelligent,
quick and agile, able to work on any terrain, and well suited for short
bursts of high speed. These dogs, even the compact breeds, are strong
and muscular, possessing proud carriage of head and neck. Herding
dogs perceive even the slightest hand signals and whistle commands to
Australian Shepherd
move a flock or seek out strays. Notable herding dog breeds include the
Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, and German Shepherd. See all media
Related Topics: Border Collie • Welsh
Corgi • Australian Shepherd ...(Show
• A… Canaan
more) dog
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Selected breeds of herding dogs
height in weight in
inches* pounds*
name origin characteristics comments
dogs dogs
(bitches) (bitches)
sturdy, compact body; bred from several
Australian 18–20 (17– 35–45
Australia moderately short, weather- breeds, including
Cattle Dog 19) (same)
resistant coat dingoes and Dalmatians
medium-sized; lithe and agile; descended from
Australian 20–23 (18– 35–70
U.S. moderate-length coat; bobbed shepherd dogs of Basque
Shepherd 21) (same)
tail region (Spain/France)
Bearded 21–22 (20– 40–60 medium-sized; muscular body;
Scotland dates to the 1500s
Collie 21) (same) shaggy, harsh outercoat
used during World War I
Belgian
24–26 50–60 well-muscled, square body; as message carriers and
Sheepdog Belgium
(22–24) (same) erect ears; black coat ambulance dogs; three
(Groenendael)
other varieties
medium-sized; muscular, world's outstanding
19–22 (18– 31–50 athletic build; numerous colours sheep herder; possesses
Border Collie England
21) (same) with various combinations of hypnotic stare used to
patterns and markings direct herds
23.5–27.5 rugged, compact body; rough
Bouvier des natural guard dog, often
Belgium/France (23.5– 88 (same) coat; blocky head with
Flandres used in military settings
26.5) mustache and beard
Cardigan 10–12 25–38 long, low body and tail; deep not as prevalent as its
Wales
Welsh Corgi (same) (25–34) chest; large, prominent ears Pembroke counterpart
lithe body; deep, wide chest;
24–26 60–75 also smooth variety with
Collie (rough) Scotland abundant coat, especially on
(22–24) (50–65) short coat
mane and frill
German 24–26 75–95 well-muscled, long body; erect one of the most-
Germany
Shepherd (22–24) (same) ears; long muzzle recognized dog breeds
minimum
Old English 22 compact, square body; profuse,
England 55+ (same) loud, distinctive bark
Sheepdog (minimum shaggy coat
21)
popular with British
Pembroke 10–12 25–38 low-set body, not as long as
Wales royalty; smallest herding
Welsh Corgi (same) (same) Cardigan; docked tail
dog
medium-sized; long, coarse coat named for Puli Hou
Puli Hungary 17 (16) 30 (same)
that forms cords (“Destroyer Huns”)
small-sized; long, rough coat, traces to the Border
Shetland 13–16
Scotland especially abundant on mane Collie; excels in
Sheepdog (same)
and frill obedience competitions
*1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Science Mammals Dogs & the Canine Family
sled dog
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sled dog, any canine used in Arctic climates to pull a sled across snow
and ice. The breeds most commonly associated with this work are the
Siberian husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Eskimo dog, and Laika—
all large, powerful dogs with thick coats and high endurance.
Alaskan Malamute
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Key People: Susan Butcher
Related Topics: Siberian Husky •
Alaskan Malamute • Samoyed • Eskimo
dog • Alaskan husky ...(Show more)
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On the North American continent a “fan hitch” (where each of 12 to 15
dogs was separately attached to the sled by its own lead) was used to
carry both people and supplies. Now a team, usually of 8 dogs, in a “pair
hitch” (double file and side by side) is the most common. In the Siberian regions of Russia, smaller teams are
used.
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