Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs

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Use: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is an obedient breed that takes well to training. It works well as a herding dog or flock companion.

History: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was developed in the Swiss Alps, Switzerland. It is a descendent from the Roman Mastiffs and is one of the four breeds known as the Swiss Sennenhunde (others being Bernese Mountain Dog, Appenzeller and Entlebucher). The breed is known for guarding and herding livestock, and as a farm sentinel.

Conformation: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a heavy-boned and muscular breed, which makes it a popular dog for pulling carts and wagons. The top coat is dense, 1½ to 2 inches long. The undercoat may be thick and sometimes showing. The short coat is an attractive tricolor: black with bronze markings on cheeks, above the eyes and on all four legs, a white blaze on the face and chest, and white feet and tail tip. Both genders measure about 23½ to 28½ inches in height at the shoulder, and weight about 120 to 140 pounds.

Special Considerations/Notes: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog’s life expectancy is about 10 to 11 years. Its coat requires weekly brushing.

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Use: The Newfoundland dog breed makes an excellent guard dog or watchdog on the farm because of its an intelligence, courage and loyalty.

History: The exact lineage of the Newfoundland is unknown. It’s thought to have descended from Viking bear dogs or nomadic Indian dogs more than 500 years ago. In Newfoundland, the breed was used to pull in nets for fisherman and to haul logs for lumbermen. It has also been used in other parts of the world to do other heavy labor. The Labrador Retriever is thought to be a close relative.

Conformation: Newfoundlands have a long, coarse, flat outercoat and a dense undercoat, which are resistant to water. It comes in black, brown, gray, or black and white. Males stand about 28 inches in height at the shoulder and weigh 150 pounds; females stand 2 inches shorter and weigh 30 pounds less. Newfoundlands have webbed feet; a deep, broad chest; and well-sprung ribs.

Special Considerations/Notes: The Newfoundland dog breed is prone to a form of heart disease called sub-aortic stenosis, as well as hip dysplasia. Make sure it gets regular exercise to avoid becoming overweight. The breed’s life expectancy is 10 to 12 years.

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Use: The Rottweiler dog breed is easily trained, courageous and loyal, which allows it to excel at a variety farm tasks.

History: The Rottweiler descends from mastiff-type dogs and was used as cattle driver, livestock herder and guard dog. Its name comes from the German market town of Rottweil, where the breed was developed. The breed almost went extinct in the 19th century, but resurged over the next 100 years.

Conformation: Rottweilers’ coats are short, straight, dense and coarse, with the undercoat apparent along the neck and thighs. It comes in black with tan or rust-colored markings along the eyes, cheeks, chest, legs and tail. Males stand 24 to 27 inches in height at the shoulder and weigh 95 to 135 pounds; females stand 22 to 25 inches and weigh 80 to 100 pounds.

Special Considerations/Notes: The Rottweiler is a highly intelligent breed and requires firm leadership from its owner. The breed’s life expectancy is 9 to 11 years.

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Use: With Australian Cattle Dogs’ ardent desire to please and their extreme intelligence, they are obedient for cattle herding and other work around the farm.

History: The Australian Cattle Dog was originally bred to heel cattle in Australia’s rough outback, but it’s also an excellent all-around family dog. The dog is a sturdy, compact, symmetrically built, tough working dog with strength, stamina and endurance. The breeds used to develop the Australian Cattle Dog, as documented by Australian officials, were the Dingo, the blue merle Highland Collie, the black-and-tan Kelpie and the Dalmatian.

Conformation: The Australian Cattle Dog has a straight outercoat and a short, dense undercoat. Australian Cattle Dogs are blue or red speckled. Males measure 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder, and females measure 17 to 19 inches. An Australian Cattle Dog weighs 35 to 45 pounds.

Special Considerations/Notes: The Australian Cattle Dog breed’s short coats shed moderately, but a weekly brushing keeps hair to a minimum. Like most smart dogs that tend to think for themselves, Australian Cattle Dogs respond well to firm, consistent training. They are excellent watchdogs and enjoy playing. These high-energy dogs need plenty of exercise several times a day.

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Use: The Australian Kelpie is an independent dog breed that is known to herd other animals when not out in the field herding with its master.

History: The Australian Kelpie dog breed has been known since the 1870s. Documentation shows the Australian Kelpie dog breed was developed in England from English North Country Collies of the Rutherford strain. The breed was imported to Australia during the later part of the 19th century. In Australia, they played a major role in the development of the sheep and wool industry. The dog was bred to withstand all climates and landscapes. The Australian Kelpie dog is bred almost exclusively for working environments in North America.

Conformation: Australian Kelpie dogs have a compact, muscular frame and well-developed legs. They have broad, deep chests and are slightly longer than they are tall. Their outercoats are hard, straight and weatherproof; while their undercoats are short and dense. The Australian Kelpie dog breed’s colors include black and tan, red and tan, blue and tan, fawn and tan, black, red, blue, fawn and cream. They can have minimal white markings, usually a spot, stripe or blaze on the chest. Males measure 20 to 23 inches in height at the shoulder and females measure 17 to 21 inches in height at the shoulder. The breed’s weight ranges between 35 to 45 pounds for males and 26 to 36 pounds for females.

Special Considerations/Notes: The Australian Kelpie dog breed is known to be dependable, friendly, intelligent and focused. Its life expectancy is about 10 to 14 years. They are easy to groom and require an occasional combing and brushing. Bathe them only when necessary, as the soap could remove their natural oils in their weather-resistant coat and dry out their skin.

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Use: The Australian Shepherd dog breed has been well-known as a working dog in the livestock industry in the United States for more than a century.

History: Historians debate the Australian Shepherd’s breed origin. Some argue an Australian origin; some accept a Basque heritage; some a Spanish origin. It is also believed the dog breed was developed in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France, and worked in the United States as a herding dog. There’s probably a little truth in each theory. The breed has been well-known as a working dog in the livestock industry in the United States for more than a century.

Conformation: The Australian Shepherd dog breed’s outer coat has a straight to wavy texture, is medium in length and is weather resistant. The undercoat is soft and dense, and the quantity of fur varies with the current climate of its location. The Australian Shepherd dog breed’s eyes come in a variety of colors. They may be any color or combination of colors from blue, amber, hazel to all shades of brown. Their coat coloring comes in black, red, blue merle or red merle. They may or may not have white or tan markings on the face, chest, front or rear legs. The Australian Shepherd is either born with a natural bobtail or has its tail docked while still a pup. Males can measure 20 to 23 inches at the shoulder and females can measure 18 to 21 inches at the shoulder. The breed’s weight ranges between 50 and 65 pounds for males and 40 and 55 pounds for females.

Special Considerations/Notes: The Australian Shepherd dog breed’s coat sheds heavily, but weekly brushing helps keep it mat-free and under control. Its life expectancy is about 12 to 15 years. It is easy to groom and requires an occasional combing and brushing. Bathe it only when necessary, as the soap could remove the natural oils in its weather-resistant coat and dry out its skin.

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Use: The Cardigan Welsh Corgi dog breed is used on the farm in cattle herding and has a protective and devoted nature.

History: The Cardigan Welsh Corgi originated in Wales. The breed was developed as an all-purpose farm dog, one that drove, guarded and herded cattle.

Conformation: The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is markedly different from the Pembroke Corgi: It is larger, longer bodied, has rounded ears, a naturally long tail and comes in more colors. Coat colors include red, sable, fawn, brindle, black and brindle, blue merle (black and gray; marbled), black, and tan, with or without white markings. There are often white markings on the legs, chest, neck and parts of the muzzle. The outercoat is longer and coarser, while the undercoat is short, thicker and weather resistant. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed measures about 12 inches in height at the shoulder. Males weigh 30 to 38 pounds, and females weigh 25 to 34 pounds.

Special Considerations/Notes: The Cardigan Welsh Corgi dog breed is active, intelligent and obedient. The breed’s life expectancy is about 12 to 15 years. Its wiry, medium-length water-resistant coat should be brushed about three times a week to remove dead hair. Be aware that the coat sheds a lot. Bathe it only when necessary, as the soap could remove the natural oils in its weather-resistant coat and dry out its skin.

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Use: The English Shepherd dog breed has a calm steadiness, keen senses and is intelligent, making it an excellent breed for livestock herding.

History: The English Shepherd dog breed originated in England. The breed was developed from Scotch Collies, Border Collies and other working dogs. The English Shepherd dog breed is versatile and was used to herd livestock and to protect the home and family.

Conformation: The English Shepherd dog breed comes in four predominant color patterns: Black and tan, tri-color, sable and white, and black and white. They have a soft and fine undercoat that provides good protection in cold weather. Males measure 19 to 23 inches in height at the shoulder, and females measure 18 to 21 inches in height at the shoulder. The male’s weight ranges from 45 to 60 pounds, and female’s weight ranges from 40 to 50 pounds.

Special Considerations/Notes: The English Shepherd’s long, moderately coarse, straight or wavy coat needs brushing about three times a week to prevent tangles.

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Use: The Border Collie dog breed is often considered the finest sheepherding dog in the world. It has strong herding instincts and can often work independently.

History: The Border Collie dog breed was originally called the “Scotch Sheep Dog” and originated in Northumberland, along the borders of Scotland and England. It is a descendant from dogs used by the Vikings to herd reindeer, the old British droving breeds, with spaniel breeds added. Border Collies are known for using their eyes when herding and using an intense stare to control the sheep. Many farmers have bred these high-energy dogs to use as farm hands.

Conformation: The Border Collie dog breed’s coat most often is black with white blaze on the face, neck, feet, legs and tail tip, with or without tan points; may be any bi-color, tri-color, merle or solid color except white. The coat is a soft, dense, weather-resistant double coat of two types: rough (medium-to-long with flat or wavy texture) or smooth (short over the entire body). Both genders can measure 18 to 22 inches in height at the shoulder. A male’s weight ranges 30 to 45 pounds and a female’s weight ranges from 27 to 42 pounds.

Special Considerations/Notes: The Border Collie dog breed is intelligent, energetic and hard working. The breed’s life expectancy is about 12 to 15 years. The Border Collie dog needs regular brushing to keep the coat clean and to control shedding hair. Bathe it only when necessary, as the soap could remove the natural oils in its weather-resistant coat.