In the past nearly all domesticated dogs were bred for a purpose in society. These dog jobs could have been retrieving, herding, guarding, tracking, and even companionship. All of which served a crucial role in nurturing the modern human dog relationship. The one breed category that we're investigating today is herding dogs, more specifically the "Top 10 most underrated shepherd dog breeds".
Icelandic Sheepdog :
Among shepherd breeds the Icelandic Sheepdog has one of the oldest histories. Dating back to over a thousand years ago as given by the name these sheepdogs were fully developed in Iceland. However they weren't native to the island, historians believe that these dogs were brought to Northern Ireland by Norse settlers. Not only did they bring their mysterious Nordic culture but also Spizts type breeds that were excellent at rounding up sheep and ponies (1).
Old English Sheepdog :
The Old English Sheepdog may not appear to be a highly skilled herding dog but you would be surprised. Along with the Bulldog and Kali they're one of the most iconic dogs to come out of the British Isles though many believe they have other European roots. Their name isn't as accurate as it should be for, example they're actually not that old it's believed they first appeared in the late 1700s. Which is actually not very ancient in the canine kingdom, in addition the old English sheepdogs weren't technically sheep herders from the start (2).
Briard Dog :
The Briard is a shepherd breed that packs all the top qualities of a family dog into a large fluffy dog. They’re deeply devoted never leaving your side but also spirited and playful enough to keep up in the field. Essentially they're a heart wrapped in fur, these sheep herding dogs hail from northern France and have been pastured working dogs for many centuries. What makes them unique is their ability to protect and herd, as intended by the French farmers of the past (3).
Beauceron Dog :
The Beauceron is a highly intelligent and versatile herding dog. They’re the brains of a Poodle put into the body of a Doberman with the herding instincts of an Aussie. Like the briar the Beauceron is also an iconic French shepherd dog breed. Though they first got their start as flock guardians they eventually evolved into herding dogs that did multiple jobs on the farm. They were truly France’s most versatile farm dogs (4).
Also Read This : All Dog Breeds - Names and Pictures | Complete List of Dog Profiles
Polish Lowland Sheepdog :
Iconic for its shaggy coat, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a herding dog bred to work hard and play hard. While they're medium-sized dogs the lowland is a compact and durable worker. Who thrives in a field with much larger livestock, after the fall of the Roman Empire the nomadic warriors known as the hunts were among the many to invade the region. And like the other tribes the hunts brought with them their own set of herding dogs to start a new settlement (5).
Belgian Laekenois Dog :
The Belgian Laekenois is another iconic shepherd breed hailing from the northern regions of Belgium. At first glance the lake noise resembles the Malinois and the chevron though the Belgian Laekenois has a unique coat texture and color. Like his Belgian cousins the lake noise was originally bred for both guarding and herding the sheep flock. A key difference in early canine rolls is that the Belgian Laekenois was also used to guard linen that was drying out in the fields (6).
Puli Dog :
It's difficult to miss the Puli dog unofficially known as the mop dog. It's even more difficult to guess that they were actually shepherds at one point nevertheless. The Puli dog is a durable and compact herder with a close working relationship with his humans. The first thing that sticks out is the code the Puli dog's unique dreadlocks are indeed a funny sight. Though it does serve a purpose the fur is naturally dense and has a woolly texture to provide a full on weatherproof coat for work in rough conditions (7).
Bearded Collie Dog :
Nicknamed the beardy the bearded collie is an upbeat and enthusiastic shepherd from the rural regions of Scotland. They always sport their shaggy coats though they get their name due to the long facial hair that hangs from their chins. Bearded collies are ancient breeds having been traced back to the first century BC no one knows the exact origins of these dogs. But historians believe that they were originally bred from a cross between the polish lowland common dorak and others (8).
Bohemian Shepherd Dog :
The Bohemian Shepherd is also one of the most underrated herding dogs. Developed to be athletic, agile, and intelligent they've involved into more than just a herding breed. Even in the past the Bohemian was touted as a multi-purpose farm dog. The lean muscular frame of these dogs made them ideal for guarding. They not only protected the flock but also their humans, as a matter of fact Bohemian Shepherds were once used to patrol the kingdom of Bohemia's borders hence the name (9).
Dutch Shepherd Dog :
One cannot deny the Dutch shepherd's are resemblance to America’s favorite shepherd the German Shepherd. In fact it was so confusing that the breed standard changed so that Dutch Shepherds would only be brindled, thus making it easier to distinguish. However the popularity of the Dutch Shepherd as farm dogs didn't last long. By the 1900s the rise of industrialization took away most of the farmlands. Dutch Shepherds like the German Shepherds evolved into police dogs military assistants and search and rescue dogs (10).
