Top farming dog breeds
There are a lot of dog breeds that will adjust well to living in a rural countryside setting. Some, however, have been bred specifically to thrive leading a farming lifestyle. They tend to be hardy and driven dogs that enjoy the great outdoors. They may be excellent herders, watchdogs, vermin catchers, or multi-purpose all-rounders.
Below are ten dogs breeds that are considered a good match for farm life.
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale is the largest of all the terrier types, and they were traditionally bred to work as versatile, all-around farm dogs.
They have the natural terrier prey drive and make excellent vermin catchers, but they’re also keen protectors of their patch and, with the right training, can help drive livestock.
Airedales are more independent and strongwilled than some of the dogs on this list. Patience and positive rewards will be important when it comes to training. Known for being prolific diggers, you may also have to keep them away from a prized vegetable patch!
Phy s ica l characteristics: Hard, wiry, dense, straight, short topcoat, with a softer undercoat; head and ears are tan, and the body is a mix of tan and black or dark grizzle; distinctive beard, and they are the largest of the terrier breeds.
Australian Cattle Dog
If you have livestock that need to be driven over long distances, you’re not going to find a hardier or determined candidate for the job than the Australian Cattle Dog.
Also known as Heelers, they got this name because they guide the cattle by nipping at their feet. They’re intensely loyal, intelligent and eager to please.
Aussie Heelers won’t be for every farmstead, however. These dogs need a heck of a lot of exercise and can become easily bored if they’re kept within the confines of the property most of the day.
They’re also known for being territorial. This can be helpful if you’re looking for a watchdog, but proper socialisation will be needed to prevent their guarding instincts becoming an issue.
Physical characteristics: An athletic, muscular and broad dog; smooth, hard double- coat; coat colour is usually blue, blue mottled or blue speckled; do also come in a less common red speckled variety.
Australian Shepherd
Despite the name, Australian Shepherds were developed in the US as intelligent, energetic and loyal herders. They have long been associated with herding cattle out on the high plains of the American West.
Providing the breed gets plenty of exercise and enrichment; they tend to be affectionate and eager to please. They can be shy around strangers; thus, early and ongoing socialisation will be important.
Physical characteristics: Mediumsized,muscularandagilewithamediumlength straight to wavy coat that comes in blue merle, black, red merle and red
– all with or without white markings Border Collie
When you think of the ultimate herding breed, the Border Collie will no doubt spring to mind. Developed on the Scottish/English Border for their natural ability and drive to herd sheep, they continue to be widely used as working farm dogs across the world.
Many experts argue that the Border Collie is the smartest of all dog breeds, and they’re known for their obedience, unfailing loyalty and desire to please.
A Border Collie’s work ethic is incredibly strong, and ensuring they have a job to do will help them to thrive. This is why they also make excellent sports dogs, often competing at the highest level in things like agility and flyball.
Problem behaviors can quickly surface if a Border Collie isn’t kept suitably physically and mentally enriched.
PPhysical characteristics: Mediumsized; rough or smooth mediumlength double coat; body is slightly longer than it is tall; long head that comes to a point at the nose with ears standing erect and tips curling over.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The low-slung Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the smallest of the herding breeds. Developed in rural Wales to herd cattle and guard the farm, they became more well-known as a result of their popularity with Queen Elizabeth II.
Corgis are smart, hardworking and affectionate dogs. They aren’t as intense or energetic as some of the breeds on this list, and this makes them a popular family pet – not just on a farmyard setting.
They still need plenty of exercise and socialisation, though. They can be prolific alert barkers, may nip at running kids heels, and can be wary of strangers.
Physical characteristics: A long, low-set dog with short, muscular legs, a stubby tail and erect pointy ears; medium length double coat in black and tan, red, sable, or fawn ( all colors are typically seen with white markings)
Dachshund
This German dog breed was originally developed for their badger hunting skills. The mini version was more commonly utilised to catch rabbits, mice and other smaller prey.
This makes them a good choice as a vermin catcher on a farm steading. They can also make good watchdogs, although you do have to watch their alert, barking doesn’t become excessive.
Dachshunds, unsurprisingly, given their background, love to dig. If this isn’t kept in check, they could dig under fences, into chicken coops, or through your well-tended vegetable patch. If you don’t want this to create problems on your steading, you may have to work on redirecting this behavior to a designated and appropriate spot.
Physical characteristics: Low, long body; smooth, wire-haired, or long-haired coat; colors include chocolate, tan, black, red and more
Dutch Shepherd
The Dutch Shepherd, often called the Dutch Herder, is sometimes confused with their German Shepherd Relatives. The less well-known and brindle only breed, is, surprisingly, generally regarded as easier to train.
Although they were developed for their herding skills, these dogs were prized for being versatile all-rounders. They would be used to guard farms and pull carts.
Known for being loyal, affectionate and eager to please, Dutchies can make excellent companion dogs too. They just need to be given enough physical and mental enrichment.
Physical characteristics: Short, long and rough-coated varieties and brindle coloring.