Meet the Lancashire Heeler, the AKC’s Newly Recognized Herding Breed, Plus 6 More Popular Farm Dogs | Livestock News

The dog is man’s best friend. And with 201 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, that’s a lot of friends.

The newest officially recognized AKC breed is the Lancashire heeler, which gained recognition in January.

This breed, part of the AKC Herding group, is adaptable, trainable and affectionate. Lancashire heels are sheepdogs believed to have originated in the 17th century and are a mix between a Welsh Corgi and a Manchester Terrier.

In addition to their abilities to herd livestock, their small size and Terrier heritage also make them effective at controlling small pests like rats, making this lesser-known breed a good choice as a farm dog.

The breed stands 10 to 12 inches tall and weighs between 9 and 17 pounds.

If the AKC beginner is not the right dog for your farm, there are many other dogs specifically bred for farm life.

From herding dogs to guard dogs to hunting dogs, here are six other breeds that would work well on the farm.

Border collie

When it comes to herding dogs, the border collie is often at the top of the list. The AKC describes them as “remarkably brilliant workhorses” who are among the most agile and balanced dogs, which came in handy when herding livestock in the rocky highlands of Scotland and the Wales. Border collies are very energetic dogs that thrive when given a task to complete, such as working as a shepherd.

These popular Shepherds stand 18 to 22 inches tall and weigh between 30 and 55 pounds.

Australian Cattle Dog

Also known as blue heels and red heels, Australian cattle dogs are another herding powerhouse that excel at controlling and moving livestock. The breed is loyal, alert, protective and very energetic. According to the AKC, these cattlemen contributed to the development of the Australian beef industry.

The breed was added to the AKC in 1980 and was a founding member of the AKC Herding group founded in 1983. The dogs stand 17 to 20 inches tall and weigh between 35 and 50 pounds.

Australian shepherd

Australian Shepherds are the largest herding dogs on this list. These sturdy, agile dogs are “the cowboy’s herding dog of choice,” according to the AKC. Australian Shepherds also commonly perform at rodeos. The name of the breed is a bit of a misnomer, as the dogs originate from the Pyrenees, between France and Spain.

The dogs stand between 18 and 23 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 65 pounds. They are also one of the most popular AKC breeds, ranking 12th out of 201 breeds.

Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog may be best known as a livestock guardian, but these dogs can also help move livestock. Bernese are adaptable, trainable and affectionate. The breed originated in the agricultural region of Bern, Switzerland, where it was used for both driving and protecting livestock. The AKC says Bernese Mountain Dogs are a good combination of brains and brawn.

These dogs stand 23 to 27 inches tall and can weigh 70 to 115 pounds. They are one of the most popular breeds in the AKC, ranking 21st out of 201.

Great Pyrenees

The large, white, fluffy dog ​​that often comes to mind when thinking of a livestock guard dog is the Great Pyrenees. These dogs are very protective and affectionate. Great Pyrenees are often gentle dogs, but are vigilant and quickly spring into action when needed. Dogs originated in the Pyrenees mountains to protect flocks of sheep from wolves, bears or cattle thieves.

The large breed stands 25 to 32 inches tall and most weigh over 100 pounds.

Russell Terrier

If you need a dog to keep rodents and pests away from the barn, you may want to look into the Russell terrier. Russells are protective and adaptable. Although the little dog looks like “a stuffed toy come to life,” according to the AKC, they are also enthusiastic and tireless workers. Russell Terriers were bred as fox hunting dogs. Their speed and compactness make them perfect for hunting prey.

Russells grow 10 to 12 inches tall and weigh 9 to 15 pounds. The breed is similar to the Parson Russell Terrier, but is the more popular of the two, although it was not recognized by the AKC until 2012.