Types of Shepherd Dogs. Description, features, names and photos of types of shepherd dogs

Shepherds are the most popular dog breeds all over the world. They got their name from the word ovchar - shepherd of sheep or other livestock. These animals are distinguished by their intelligence and almost complete obedience to humans, endurance, patience, and the ability to assess the situation and come to the rescue. Their purpose is to constantly work. Externally, the types of shepherd dogs are diverse: there are both medium and large ones. But they are all united by perseverance in difficult circumstances. There are many varieties of shepherd dog breeds in the world.

English Shepherd

The dogs that made up the breed arrived with settlers from England and Scotland to the New World. In the North American States there was rapid growth in the economy and agriculture, and the dog turned out to be very appropriate. About 120 years ago, the shepherd acquired its current appearance.

English Shepherds are versatile hard workers. They can herd livestock, guard the territory, drive away unwanted animals, and look after children. Englishwomen grow up to 58 cm, 27 kg - dogs don’t weigh more. High intelligence, devotion to the owner, desire and ability to independently work with a herd of sheep or goats are the main qualities of the breed.

How to choose a future pet

Cheerful pet
When heading to a kennel where long-haired shepherd puppies are sold, you need to know what to look for when choosing a pet:

• Parents' health (examine the veterinary passport for the presence of genetic diseases).
• Psychological health (the puppy does not show increased aggression or cowardice).
• Healthy appearance (no bald patches, average body fat).

Keeping these simple rules in mind, choosing a suitable puppy that will not cause problems in the future will not be at all difficult.

Of course, getting a dog is a very serious step. But, having acquired a shepherd dog, any person will notice how much his life has changed - there is more positivity and joy, and a faithful friend who is always there adds confidence in the future.

Australian Shepherds

Two breeds of shepherd dogs are associated with the fifth continent:

• Aussie or Ossie, sometimes simply Australian Shepherd. Bred in the States on the basis of dogs imported, including from Australia. The size of the animals is medium, up to 58 cm at the withers. The coat is five centimeters long with a remarkable marbled color. These hardworking and good-natured shepherds settled all over the world. They become old by the age of 13.

• Kelpie. Star of the Australian canine world. It is considered the highest achievement of local breeders. Notable quality: they have a wide angle of view and can control large spaces. Kelpies grow up to 51 cm. They gain weight up to 20 kg. The color is dark: charcoal, chocolate, red-black. Life span up to 14 years.

Varieties and their descriptions

According to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, more than 20 breeds are officially registered, and that’s not even half.

Australian

Aussie

Dimensions: height 46-58 cm, weight does not exceed 32 kg. The hair is medium length, dense, a little coarse in the chest area. Color can be: marbled blue, dark, red, brown and spotted. Life expectancy is approximately 13 years.

This is interesting: Characteristics and description of the Australian Shepherd

Aussies are hard-working shepherd dogs, constantly wanting to curry favor with their owner and gain his approval. Gentle, friendly and quite active. It is difficult for them to be in small rooms; they need a large area to feel good; they love dynamic games. The breed is highly trainable and responsible.

Kelly

This is one of the famous breeds of Australia, an attentive, intelligent, loyal shepherd. He has a gentle character and an endless supply of energy.

Dimensions: height 43-51 cm, weight - maximum 20 kg. Hair is short all over the body. Possible colors: dark, brick, black or red-brown, dark gray, fawn or chocolate. Such individuals live for about 10-15 years. They are mobile, have a sinewy structure and flexible paws, and work without getting tired.

The Kelly breed has a unique viewing angle; it is so wide that it allows it to follow the object of attention and focus on it for a long time. Thanks to this genetically inherent quality, these dogs are excellent workers for the livestock industry.

Healer

The breed was developed by crossing short-haired collies and wild dingoes. They were then improved by mixing them with Dalmatians and Kellys. There were 2 final variants of this breed: Australian and Australian bobtail heeler (stumpy). The initial purpose of their breeding was to drive cattle over long distances in the harsh natural conditions of Australia.

Shepherd dog dimensions: height from 43 to 51 cm, weight in the range of 15-20 kg. The fur is short, thick and soft. The color may be gray, mottled blue and have red or black spots. Life expectancy is 12 years.

The heeler breed is strong and resilient, loyal to its owner and easy to train, and is in the TOP 10 in terms of intelligence development. Despite their professionalism, such dogs are very gentle and caring pets.

Atlas

Aidi is a guard shepherd dog originally from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Its fur is fully adapted to different climates: in the desert it protects the body from sand and heat, and in the mountains from the cold. In the modern world, Aidi is rare; there is an active struggle to preserve and expand the breed.

Dimensions of shepherd dogs: at the withers from 52 to 62 cm, weight up to 30 kg. The hair of the breed is dense and smooth, not long. The color is most often monochromatic: sand, chestnut, light, red, brindle and white.

Aidi is strong, attentive and careful. She becomes attached to the owner and his family; with proper upbringing, she will become an excellent friend for children.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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It is not advisable for new dog breeders to have such a shepherd; it is difficult to train.

English

The Sheepdog is native to North America. These individuals were brought to the continent by English settlers. The Americans perfected this breed by mixing it with collies, border collies and shelties. The result was a diligent, gifted and active shepherd dog.

This is interesting: 4 interesting facts about the border collie

Height at withers is from 46 to 58 cm, weight varies between 17-27 kg. Medium length hair, slightly curly. The color is most often dark or sable with white, with tan marks. Such dogs live 12-15 years.

Like other herding breeds, the dog is independent in making decisions, but also loves to work with its owner and receive rewards for following commands.

Such individuals have the unique ability to quickly change the direction of movement, instantly react to unexpected events, and even know how to climb trees.

Anatolian

The oldest breed of Asia Minor, has existed on the Anatolian plateau since the times of Babylon, and participated in lion hunting. Today the shepherd dog is known as the Turkish guard dog, or Kangal. She is not a shepherd, but a guard, her duty was to protect the herds from wolves.

Dimensions: at the withers 70-80 cm, weight 40-65 kg. The physique is proportional, with well-developed muscles. The coat is straight and dense, sometimes combining 3 colors at once or being plain (dark or brindle). The individual has powerful jaws and a “black mask” on its muzzle.

Kangal has a sharp mind, is easy to learn, and calm. Such a dog is an owner, he will not allow anyone to touch his owners’ things, he can be left as a nanny with children and not worry.

Afghan and its types

Sage koche

Translated: “dog of nomads.” Wandering peoples needed protection, and large shepherd dogs were well suited for this, as they independently obtain food and do not require constant attention. Temperatures in the mountains of Afghanistan in summer reach +35°, and in winter below -20°; the Sage Koche have adapted to such temperature changes, because they live outside all year round. When the nomads settled and began raising sheep, they instilled herding qualities in the breed. And they began to protect the herds from wolves and thieves.

Shepherd dogs sizes: from 69 to 102 cm, they can weigh 40-95 kg, depending on gender. There are three types of sage koche wool: longhair, shorthair and mixed. Color: dark, white or spotted. Such shepherd dogs live 12-15 years.

They have a warlike character, are brave, and do not tolerate strangers. Can store energy to react quickly and fearlessly when necessary.

Afghan Hound

The first mention of a shepherd dog in rock paintings in Afghanistan dates back to 9500 BC. e. Its original purpose was hunting. This individual was used to catch gazelles, mountain goats, wolves and leopards. Greyhounds appeared in Europe at the end of the 19th century.

Shepherd dog dimensions: height from 60 to 75 cm, weight from 20 to 35 kg. The fur is long and requires constant care. Average life expectancy is 12-14 years.

This is a strong, agile and fast dog. The Shepherd is temperamental and freedom-loving, gentle and sensitive. Difficult to train, but very loyal to its owners. She is wary of strangers and is sometimes frightened by children playing noisy games.

Alentege

Rafeiro do Alentejo is a shepherd dog originally from Portugal, Alentejo district. Its height at the withers reaches 64-74 cm, weight – 35-45 kg. The hair is short, dark, beige, gray-brown or cream with white spots.

The Rafeiro is the most massive among the Portuguese breeds, with a physique, fur structure and color slightly reminiscent of a St. Bernard. It differs in that its head is much smaller and more graceful. She has innate sharpness, independence and moderate aggressiveness, which characterizes her as an excellent guard.

Training and education of a raffair is difficult for beginners; it is necessary to have patience and perseverance.

Belgian and its types

The Belgian breed is a herding dog. Bred in 1891 by veterinarian Professor Adolf Riyul. There are 4 subspecies.

Groenendael

A large shepherd dog with thick dark hair, sometimes with white spots. An excellent friend for the family, suitable for the role of a watchman. Height ranges from 56-66 cm.

Laekenois

Red with black spots on the tail and face, and sometimes white on the chest and hind legs. Height 58-62 cm, fur is coarse and dry.

Malinois

A red-colored dog with a dark mask, agile. At the withers 56-62 cm, the coat is thick and dense.

Tervuren

The individual is red-red in color with black, height 58-66 cm. Such dogs have an excitable temperament, they are aggressive.

Representatives of 4 subspecies have intelligence and excellent memory. Brave, intelligent and obedient shepherd dogs are easy to train.

Basque

Homeland - northern Spain. These individuals have long helped shepherds, guarded and herded livestock. There are 2 subspecies:

• Gorbeiakoa (live in a reserve near Mount Gorbeia, distinguished by long hair on their face);
• Iletsua (live on the pastures of Euskalerria, have short hair).

Both breeds are the same size: height 40-68 cm, weight 18-36 kg. The fur is thick and coarse, the color is red or its shades. These dogs have high intelligence and intelligence, and are highly trainable. Sociable and friendly shepherd dogs are wary of strangers and scrupulously guard their territory. They can also be guides.

Bergamo

Bergamasco comes from Italy. The breed was brought to Europe about two thousand years ago.

Dimensions: height 54-62 cm, weight 26-38 kg. The wool is long, heavy, and forms into large flat tangles that cover the entire body and protect against wolf bites. The color comes in any shade of grey.

Bergamascos easily adapt to difficult living conditions and are unpretentious in food. Very obedient and good-natured shepherd dogs, quite stubborn. They have excellent hearing and sense of smell.

Bulgarian

This individual is also known as the Karakachan Shepherd Dog. Homeland - Bulgaria. This is one of the oldest breeds of the Balkan Peninsula. Large and strong, has good hearing, smell and vision.

The height of the shepherd is 60 cm or more, the minimum weight is 30 kg. The hair has a rigid structure, the undercoat is dense and pleasant to the touch. The color varies, but is predominantly white with dark or red markings.

The dog listens to only one person and treats other family members with condescension. Can independently guard the property, without the presence of the owner.

White Swiss

Another name is the American-Canadian White Shepherd. The first examples of this breed were brought to Switzerland in the 1970s.

These dogs are short-haired and long-haired, 53-66 cm tall, weighing 25-40 kg. They are not fussy, very cheerful, attentive. They do not have the habit of showing excessive aggressiveness or anxiety in the presence of strangers. The breed is easy to train and is predisposed to perform various difficult tricks.

Bohemian

Czech shepherds - appeared in the 14th century. Light and small: at the withers 49-55 cm, weight 18-25 kg. Thanks to their long, thick fur, they are able to survive in difficult climatic conditions.

Shepherd dogs of this breed are great for active people. They are easy to train and get along well with small family members. Agile, with a good sense of smell, which allows them to take part in rescue operations. They are great helpers for people with disabilities.

Buryat

The Buryat-Mongolian wolfhound is a popular guard shepherd dog in Central Asia, Tibet and Mongolia. The dog is a large breed, sometimes reaches 75 cm at the withers, and weighs 75 kg.

The fur of wolfhounds has water-repellent properties and does not tangle. Can be black and tan, brown, red with white markings and wolf color.

The dog becomes strongly attached to the home and family members. She can be an excellent nanny for small children, because she is very smart. A curious shepherd who loves to play pranks on his owners. Capable of protecting the territory even in the absence of its owners.

Eastern European

The breed was bred in 1930 in the USSR. Such dogs served in the Red Army in different climatic conditions. They have qualities suitable for guide dogs.

A shepherd dog weighs approximately 30-60 kg with a height of 62-72 cm. The hair is straight, hard, and of medium length. The color is dark or sable with a mask on a silver-gray or rich fawn background. A balanced, self-confident shepherd dog, suspicious of strangers. Read about the similarities and differences between the breed and the German Shepherd in this article.

Hungarian and its types

Moody

A courageous and swift shepherd dog, copes with managing a large herd. Obedient, hardy, interested only in the owner and joint activities with him. Sometimes representatives of this breed are taken for wild boar hunting. At the withers up to 47 cm. Such dogs are very light - 8-13 kg. The hair on the head and front legs is short and straight, on the back and hind legs it is long and wavy, and requires virtually no care. Possible brown, dark, yellow, white, marbled or ash color.

Komondor

Because of its fur, such a dog seems larger than it actually is. Shepherd dogs of this breed have light bones, so they weigh much less than they seem, only 40-60 kg. The minimum height is 65-70 cm at the withers; there is long hair all over the body, which tends to curl into tight cords over time.

Anatolian Shepherd

Part of the Molosser group. Good guarding and herding qualities are the result of long-term natural selection. In Turkey, the name “Anatolian” is considered too general; they insist on the name “Turkish watchdog” or “Kangal”. The appearance of the breed dates back to the times of Babylon, that is, the Kangals are at least 24 centuries old.

It grows up to 80 cm. It does not look overly heavy, although it gains weight up to 65 kg. Looks quite elegant. Moves quickly and a lot. The coat is 3 centimeters long, straight, and covers the entire body. The color types of Shepherd dogs are predominantly black or brindle. A distinctive feature is a very strong maxillodental apparatus. Old age comes at 12-14 years.

Atlas Shepherd

The breed has another name - Aidi. Originally from the Maghreb, North Africa. The Berbers drove their herds through the Atlas Mountains, with the aid of the Aidi. They skillfully handled livestock, worked as watchmen, participated in hunting and tracking animals.

The Atlas Shepherd grows up to 62 cm, weighs up to 30 kg. The coat is dense with high-quality undercoat. Most often it is painted in a light, almost white color. Guard instincts prevail over herding and hunting instincts. The dog is vigilant, devoted to its owner, and distrustful.

Attitude towards people, children and other pets

German Shepherd: description of the breed, dogs and puppies

When it comes to the relationship of a shepherd dog to a baby, it is worth remembering that their communication should take place under the control of elders. If possible, it is better to postpone purchasing a puppy until the child reaches the age of 1-2 years. However, if an adult representative of the BUT already lives in the house, he is unlikely to be very jealous of the baby towards the owners.

Shepherd gets along easily with cats

Important! The latter should, if possible, pay attention to the dog so that she does not feel abandoned after the arrival of a new family member, and then the relationship between the dog and the baby will be warm.

It is easier for a shepherd dog to find a common language with older children. Dogs like to take part in the child's fun, active games. Parents must independently assess their child’s readiness to care for and interact with a dog. Children can and even should be entrusted with part of the dog's care, but everything should be moderately controlled by their parents.

The Shaggy Shepherd can even get along with other pets. It is enough to explain to your pet that it is forbidden to touch the cat or hamster. A properly trained dog will be able to control itself and its instincts.

Belgian Shepherd

Each state strives to develop a national dog breed. In 1891, breeding work on a new breed of shepherd began in the Kingdom of Belgium. Patriotic feelings worked - the Belgian Shepherd , in four versions:

• Groenendael is a black dog;
• Malinois - red dog;
• Laekenois - red with black;
• Tervuren - any color except black.

The height of the dogs is 66 cm, weight is 30 kg. These are the maximum parameters. All types of Belgian Shepherd are morphologically similar, only the color and length of the coat are different. Suitable for working with sheep herds, they can be watchmen, and thanks to their good sense of smell, they work as detectives in the police.

Character, training and education

In the process of establishing the breed, the breeders did their best and turned the shepherd into a truly universal breed. She has protective and guard qualities, she is well oriented towards people, learns quickly, and understands her owner perfectly. Such a dog is a real find even for a novice owner, as she has an easy-going character.

Puppy BUT requires daily attention

When properly trained, long-haired shepherd dogs grow up to be kind and playful dogs. They love active games with their owner, but they can also adapt to short-term solitude. If you establish contact with the puppy, in the future he will be easily trained and will learn to understand the intonations of the owner. To do this, you need to spend a lot of time with the dog, both on walks and at home. You should not leave your puppy to his own devices or always let him play with other dogs on the street. Contact with the owner is the key to understanding.

Note! You can train a shepherd dog from the age of two to three months. Such basic commands as “sit”, “lie down”, “come to me”, “take your place”, “ugh!” must be mastered without fail. You can reward your puppy with a toy, a treat, and lots of praise. It is better to ignore unwanted behavior rather than punish it.

Bergamasco Shepherd

Another name for the breed is Bergamasco. The name was given after its place of origin - the province of Bergamo, located in Lombardy, northern Italy. A special look is given by wool curled into cords, dreadlocks or heavy flat tangles. The color of the cover is uniform, any gradations of gray are allowed.

A dog cannot be taller than 62 cm or heavier than 38 kg. Has a developed musculoskeletal system. Like any shepherd, she is viable and life-loving. The psyche is stable, the animal is friendly, non-aggressive. May be stubborn. Sheep farming in Italy is gradually disappearing. Bergamascos are moving from alpine pastures to apartments in Milan.

Bulgarian Shepherd

The oldest Balkan variety of shepherd dog . Formed by centuries of natural selection. It is part of the culture of the Karakachans, a Balkan (Greek) ethnic group living in several states of the peninsula. The main nurseries are established in Bulgaria.

The dog is serious, not lower than 65 cm, body weight is not specified by the regulations. The appearance of a dog suggests its purpose - protection of territories, animals, people, property. Character appropriate: the dog is not very trusting, but absolutely loyal.

Welsh Corgi

Breed from Wales. Its appearance dates back to the 10th century. The breed includes two varieties: Pembroke and Cardigan. The differences between them are significant, but do not go beyond the scope of one breed. With a small stature (30 cm), these short-legged creatures perfectly manage herds of sheep and cows.

Nowadays, Welsh Corgis are in demand as companion dogs. This is facilitated by the dog’s developed intelligence, the ability to predict the owner’s wishes, love of life and gentle character. Moderate dimensions contribute to living in city apartments. Welsh Corgis live up to 13 years.

Hungarian Shepherd

The breed boasts centuries-old roots and an intricate pedigree. Probably a hybrid of indigenous Black Sea dogs and a wolf. Has not been subjected to artificial selection. The breed has a second name - Commander. Probably comes from the Italian phrase cane commodore, which can be translated as command dog, main dog, king of dogs.

The animal is tall: up to 80 cm. But it weighs a little for its size: up to 60 kg. The dog has a lightweight bone structure, which makes it mobile and easy to climb. The Komondor's coat is thick and long, curling into cords and dreadlocks. The dog is calm, well trained, and devoted to its owner.

Owner reviews

Long-haired German Shepherds can easily live in an enclosure, since thanks to their good coat, the dog does not freeze in the winter and can easily tolerate even significant heat. Apartment keeping, according to the owners of representatives of this breed, can be complicated by the fact that when shedding, the animal intensively loses its undercoat and hair, so during this period, combing is carried out daily.

The long, tough black shepherd is distinguished by its loose, uneven hairs that adhere poorly to the body, so rainy weather is difficult for such a dog to tolerate . Long soft hair in dogs provokes difficult adaptation in inappropriate climatic conditions, and among other things, this type of coat too emphasizes the presence of a not too wide chest in the animal.

Fluffy puppies become standard after four months of age, but as they approach a year, the dog becomes covered with long hair. With the right approach to feeding and maintenance, as well as upbringing and training, the long-haired German Shepherd grows into a beautiful and powerful, devoted and very faithful dog, which is simply distinguished by its wonderful character and extraordinary mental abilities.

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East European Shepherd

Purposefully bred as a service dog in the USSR. The first breeding experiments occurred in the 1930s. Pedigree shepherd dogs were exported from Germany, and a new breed was created on their basis. The original and created types of shepherd dogs in the photo are quite different.

The dog grows up to 70 cm and gains weight up to 60 kg. Females are noticeably lighter and smaller than males. As a result of selection, a balanced, active, assertive character with a fair amount of distrust was formed.

Dogs are used mainly as service dogs. In this role they were widely used in the USSR. They were engaged in border protection and search activities. They guarded the people's property and the peace of citizens.

What to feed

If your dog leads an active lifestyle, it is better to prefer natural food to dry food. At the same time, the diet should contain lean meat, cereals with butter, and vegetables. You should not feed your dog exclusively porridge. When feeding natural food, the dog must receive all the necessary substances from food.

Important! For shaggy shepherd dogs, you can sometimes add more fat to the portion; they preserve the beauty of their fur coat.

The fluffy shepherd breed is unpretentious, so it adapts well to dry food. If necessary, you can add vitamins to the diet (after consultation with your veterinarian).

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

The ancestors of this dog are ancient, large dogs - Molossians. Before the new era, the harsh Assyrian army used these dogs as fighting dogs. The breed was finally formed in the 1920s. Breeders began to improve what nature gave the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

A height of 75 cm is the norm for this shepherd; it can weigh up to 100 kg or more. The coat is thick with abundant undercoat. The dog looks very serious. A breed with a decisive character, it requires attention and quality training.

Dog care

Much of the health of a long-haired shepherd depends on whether it receives proper care. And this concept includes everything - from diet to hygiene, so there are no trifles here.

Grooming

A long-haired shepherd can cause a lot of problems related specifically to the coat. To prevent all the floors in your apartment or house from becoming covered in it, you need to comb your pet at least a couple of times a week. There is no need to wash it often - 2-3 times a year is enough and only in case of emergency.

Nutrition

You can also buy dry food, but only high-quality food, and not budget food, in which the protein is mainly represented by poorly digestible soybeans.

But it’s better to prepare the food yourself - then the breeder can be sure that the dog will receive all the necessary substances, vitamins and microelements:

• Lean meat (poultry, rabbit or beef are suitable) - 40% of the diet.
• Cereals (buckwheat, millet, wheat, oatmeal) - 30% of the diet.
• Vegetables and dairy products (carrots, beets, pumpkin, zucchini, low-fat cottage cheese) - 30% of the diet.

It is best to make porridge from this - dogs eat it with pleasure, getting everything they need for a long and happy life.

For reference! Food must be limited - otherwise a dog, especially one living in a small apartment and not having enough physical activity, will quickly develop obesity.

Necessary care measures

Everything here is pretty standard. Nails should be cut as needed - approximately once every 1-2 months. Examine the eyes twice a week - if suppuration is noticed, they should be wiped with a swab dipped in weak tea.

It is advisable to clean your ears once every 7-10 days. To do this you will need a cotton pad and warm boiled water.

German Shepherd

The dog's homeland is southern Germany. The breed is formed as a hybrid of many German herding dogs. Selection work ended 120 years ago. The main task of obtaining a dog that skillfully guards and herds herds was completely accomplished.

There are long-haired and short-haired types of German Shepherds Both versions are medium sized. Weight no more than 40 kg, height - 65 cm. Over time, shepherd tasks disappeared. The dog, thanks to its qualities, began to perform search and security service. She became an excellent companion.

Origin story

Dogs similar to modern German Shepherds were mentioned in German chronicles of the 7th century AD. In them they are described as large and strong animals, predominantly light in color. It is quite possible that it was among them that long-haired individuals first began to appear.

Dark colors in shepherd dogs appeared much later - in the 17th and 18th centuries. But even then it was impossible to talk about them as a separate breed - they were working dogs, very diverse in their type of build, color and length of coat.

But by the middle of the 19th century, two types of shepherd dogs were bred in Germany. More massive and squat dogs were assistants to farmers in Central and Northern Germany. And in the south of the country, shepherd dogs with a different type of build were bred - lighter and more graceful. All of them were distinguished by excellent working qualities, they were quite angry, but at the same time, balanced and controllable.

Thus, by the time targeted work on the breed began, Germany already had a good number of dogs, which gave rise to the German Shepherd breed.

The founder of the “Germans” was the German breeder Max von Stefanitz. He not only was engaged in breeding work to breed a certain average type of German shepherds, which would embody their best exterior and working qualities, but also developed the first breed standard.

NOTE!

After the standard was developed in 1899, it took only a few years for the German Shepherd to become a recognized police and military dog.

Central asian shepherd dog

Two native species - Alabai and Tobet - can be classified as this breed. The breed is the result of natural selection. It evolved over the centuries as a hybrid of various herding and fighting dogs. In Turkmenistan, alabai are considered the property of the nation.

The dogs are powerful with strong bones. They weigh 50 kg, height 70 cm. Bitches are somewhat smaller. In places where dogs are bred, their fighting form is maintained. In the recent past, perhaps even now, fights of these wolfhounds are held in order to determine their breed qualities.

Old English Sheepdog

It has coexisted alongside British farmers since time immemorial. In the past, in England, dogs were taxed based on the length of their tail. To save money, these shepherd dogs had their tails cut off, hence the second name - bobtail. The breed gained recognition in the Victorian era.

The dog is stocky, not very tall: up to 54 cm. Covered with rough hair with a thick undercoat. Abundant coat visually makes the dog larger. Like all dogs that have been cooperating with humans for centuries, bobtails have developed intelligence and a loyal character. he can act as a protector and even a nanny.

Pros and cons of the Shaggy Shepherd

In general, a long-haired shepherd has the same advantages and disadvantages as a regular “German”. But still, it will be useful for every potential owner to learn more about them:

• high intelligence,
• excellent learning ability
• energy and endurance,
• simple in content,
• non-conflict, they can get along well with other dogs, as well as with cats, rabbits and other pets.

Excellent examples of the breed
. And the disadvantages of shaggy shepherds are exactly the same as those of ordinary ones:

• not suitable for small apartments,
• need constant stress - physical and intellectual,
• without strict training they can grow up to be tyrants.

However, shaggy people also have an additional disadvantage. Namely, more complex coat care. Which is understandable, because the long-haired shepherd, as the name implies, has longer hair than ordinary “Germans”.

French Shepherd

The French have 14 breeds that are directly related to the country. The most famous of the French Shepherds is the Briard. For many centuries she guarded sheep in alpine meadows. The first documents describing briards date back to the 12th century. At the end of the 19th century, the first official breed standard was agreed upon.

The dog grows up to 68 cm. The weight is not specified by the standard. The main thing is that the animal looks harmonious. Long hair with a soft undercoat covers the entire body, from nose to tail. The shepherd's appearance is very impressive thanks to its fur. The dog is calm, obedient, and well trained. Can be a shepherd, watchman, companion, guide.

Is it suitable for keeping outdoors and in an apartment?

The German Shepherd feels best in a private home. Their long fur allows them to stay warm even in cold weather. But it is important to remember that in winter the shepherd will need an insulated booth.

A long-haired shepherd dog can live in an apartment if you take it for a walk at least twice a day. Walks should be quite long and active. However, you need to remember that German Shepherds kept in an apartment shed heavily.

In addition, these dogs react very sensitively to the slightest noise and can bark in the absence of their owners.

Swiss White Shepherd

In the last century, white shepherd dogs became popular in North America. From there they came to Europe, where white shepherd dogs began to be intensively bred. Despite its American origin, the breed is registered in the FCI association as a Swiss Shepherd.

Dogs reach 67 cm at the withers, 40 kg is the maximum weight. On average, animals are somewhat shorter and lighter. The standard recognizes short-haired and long-haired types of Shepherd Dogs . But the cover can only have one color - white. The dogs are versatile, non-aggressive, smart and well trained. They live up to 13 years.

Accepted standard

The height at the withers for males is 60-65 cm, and for females - 55-60 cm. Weight is 30-40 kg for boys and 22-32 kg for girls.

Other standard characteristics of dogs:

• the head is proportional, looks wedge-shaped from above - widened in the cranial part, but tapering towards the nose. The forehead is slightly convex, the stop is smooth, the cheekbones are weakly defined;
• the length of the muzzle is approximately equal to ½ of the total length of the head;
• the ears are medium in size, erect, set high, in the form of a triangle with a wide base;
• The eyes are oval, medium size, dark brown. The nose is quite large and black;
• the neck is strong and muscular, of medium length, without dewlap;
• the withers are well defined, the back is elongated but strong. The croup has a clearly visible slope;
• The chest is oval, quite deep and powerful. The abdomen is moderately tucked;
• The forelimbs are parallel and straight. The hindquarters are covered with well-developed muscles, straight, and slightly pulled back when standing;
• saber-shaped tail, abundantly overgrown with hair.

The main external feature of the long-haired German Shepherd, which makes it unlike short-haired dogs, is its shaggy and thick coat, which forms fringes on the ears, paws and tail.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

The long-haired German Shepherd is a strong and hardy working dog, outwardly no different from an ordinary short-haired shepherd except for the type of coat. But these two breed varieties have differences in character and temperament. Despite the fact that most “long dogs” are calm and balanced dogs, among them there are both overly phlegmatic and choleric individuals. In any case, having decided to purchase a long-haired German Shepherd, you need to be as responsible as possible in choosing the breeder and the puppy itself.

The diagram below shows the ideal proportions for a shepherd.

Collie

Part of the collie breed group. Comes from northern England, Scotland. The Scottish Sheepdog is one of the five most popular breeds. Information about these shepherd dogs can be found in documents from the 14th century. By the 17th century, the breed was fully formed. There are 2 recognized types of dogs: long-haired and short-haired.

The Scottish Sheepdog is not a very large animal. Maximum height - 61 cm, weight - 30 kg. Scottish collies still herd sheep in many countries, and other herding breeds have evolved from them. But, thanks to their intelligence and gentle nature, they more often began to play the role of companions.

South Russian Shepherd

The breed was bred by the Russian German Friedrich Falz-Fein. Selection work was carried out in the Askania-Nova nature reserve, which he founded. By 1945, only a few specimens remained of the entire population. By the end of the century, the number was restored.

Parameters: weight - 40 kg, height - 65 cm. Females are 5 cm shorter than males. The bones are strong, but not heavy. The fur is evenly distributed over the body. The length of the coat is at least 9 cm. Thick undercoat. The dog looks menacing. He does guard work professionally.

Size and weight

The height of the male reaches 60 cm, in some specimens - 65, the female is 5 centimeters lower than the male. The body weight of a furry pet does not exceed 40 kilograms, girls weigh from 22 to 30. The purity of the breed is determined by standard characteristics:

The chest of a fluffy shepherd with pronounced withers is deep and oval in shape. The animal's saber-shaped tail is covered with dense fluffy vegetation.

The purity of the breed is indicated by the black color of the wet lobe, the presence of a correct bite, and the presence of a formula consisting of 42 teeth.

Rare breeds of shepherd dogs

In many regions, pasture-based methods of raising livestock have become unpopular. Following this, shepherd dogs found themselves unclaimed. Characteristics of temperament or size did not allow everyone to change their profession, as a result, many types of shepherd dogs became rare.

• Alentege Shepherd Dog. A large dog that originated in Portugal in the Middle Ages.

• Afghan Shepherd or Koche. A breed of large, herding dogs. Their main place of work is the mountain pastures of the Iranian Plateau and Afghanistan.

• Basque Shepherd Dog. Helps shepherds in northern Spain. The breed is believed to be a natural hybrid of various Central European Shepherds.

• Bohemian Shepherd. Aboriginal breed of western Bohemia. Currently intensively bred by Czech breeders. Received preliminary recognition from the international dog handlers organization.

• Buryat Shepherd Dog. A breed of natural selection. Known since time immemorial. The Buryat name is bankhar. In the last century it disappeared almost completely.

• Mudi, a herding dog from Hungary. The first descriptions of the Mudi breed appeared in the Middle Ages. In the last century it experienced a period of decline. Now the population of this brave dog is being restored.

• Herder, Dutch Shepherd. Honored breed. Officially recognized back in the 19th century. According to the length and quality of wool, it is divided into 3 varieties.

• Chapendois, Dutch Shepherd. A herding breed of ancient origin. In the last century it practically ceased to exist. A small population is maintained by enthusiasts.

• Greek Shepherd. Endurance and other physical characteristics are excellent, but prone to aggression. This is one of the reasons for the decline in the number of these animals.

• Nagazi. Georgian mountain dog. Archaic breed. The time of its appearance dates back to the pre-Christian era. The dog is large (up to 75 kg), with a predominant guarding behavior.

• Armant. Egyptian Shepherd. The appearance of the breed is associated with Napoleon's invasion of Egypt. The French shepherds that arrived with the troops mixed with the aboriginal dogs - an unrecognized Armant breed appeared.

• Icelandic Sheepdog. Looks like a Finnish Spitz. Localized in Iceland. In addition to herding duties, he often serves as a companion.

• Italian Shepherd. Bred in the Maremma and Abruzzo regions of Italy. A breed with a history that dates back centuries. It was fully formed only towards the end of the 19th century. Exterior and character of a typical herding dog.

• Catalan Shepherd. Appeared and formed in the Pyrenees. In Spain it is considered a national breed.

• Crash Sheepdog. By the will of fate, large Molosser dogs ended up in Slovenia, near the Krasskie Mountains. Molossians make excellent shepherds. The breed was officially recognized in 1939.

• Hottosho, Mongolian Shepherd. Part of the Mongolian, Buryat culture. The origin is surrounded by legends. Found in Mongolia, Trans-Baikal Territory, Buryatia. Powerful animal. Recognized by the Russian Association of Cynologists.

• Norwegian Buhund. Farm dog, known since the 17th century. The breed is often called the Norwegian Shepherd or Laika. Its shape is similar to other northern huskies.

• Croatian Shepherd. The first information about these shepherd dogs appeared in the 14th century. Despite its long history, it has not received distribution. It is practically not found outside Croatia. The animal is energetic, in good health and very unpretentious.