Are you a dog lover and do you plan to adopt one that is sporty and enduring? Discover the 5 breeds of sheepdogs to adopt.
When the end of spring comes, this period is generally marked by the absence of pasture and the transhumance of cattle in search of fresh grass. It is then customary to have sheepdogs to reframe them and ensure their safety.
The latter are also good pets when they are well chosen. Therefore, if you are considering adopting a sheepdog to keep you company, here are 5 breeds that you should focus on.
The Belgian Shepherd Malinois: an active and intelligent dog
Courage, dexterity, intelligence and loyalty are some words that characterize the Belgian Malinois.
This is’a sheepdog widely used on farms, but also very appreciated by the French police forces, for its characteristics. In the family, he is a very good companion who does not hesitate to act as soon as he feels the need to do so.
This mischievous-looking dog is usually confused with the German Shepherd, but it has a finer look and a smaller size than the latter. However, he remains very agile and powerful, with a muscular physique.
The Belgian Shepherd Malinois is recognizable by the triangular shape of his ears which makes all his charm. He usually has short hair, a height of 56 to 66 cm, for a weight of 20 to 30 kg adulthood.
This sheepdog owes its name to the Belgian city (Mechelen) from which it originates. The first were discovered there towards the end of the 19th century, where breeders used them to guard their flocks of sheep.
This dog is a very intelligent animal and very devoted to its owner..
He therefore needs attention, but also to exert himself, because he is very lively and dynamic. In reality, the characteristics of the Malinois make him an ideal dog for guarding a house or other animals. He likes sports and family games like hide and seek.
Note, however, that it is a very sensitive animal whose education should be gentle. When used as a guard dog, the Belgian Shepherd Malinois protects his territory well.
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The Australian Shepherd, France’s favorite dog
Characterized by a spotted coat, mismatched eyes and a very active attitude, the Australian Shepherd is one of the ideal breeds for guarding flocks.
Well known for his intelligence, his devotion and his unfailing courage, he is also a companion of choice for most families. Very energetic, the Australian Shepherd is very popular in France by many households. It is an animal that has good physical and mental balance.
A male Australian Shepherd is 50 to 60 cm tall when fully grown and a female of the same age is 45 to 55 cm tall. With medium-long and slightly wavy hair, the Australian Shepherd’s coat can be spotted, two-tone or three-tone. This animal has a weight that varies between 20 and 35 kg.
Contrary to what its name might suggest, the Australian Shepherd comes from the United States.
Due to its very active character and its intelligence, the Australian Shepherd requires a lot of attention and stimulation. He can then quickly get bored if he does not learn new exercises and does not have fun regularly. It is a very obedient and devoted animal, but which does not hesitate to make decisions, if necessary.
Still called Aussie, he likes to protect his family members and does not accept strangers (people or other animals). He is very patient and loves the company of children very much.
The Czechoslovakian wolfdog: a large teddy bear
Courage, strong temperament and unfailing loyalty, these are the words that define this dog which borrows its characters from the wolf and the German shepherd.
Endowed with a robustness and a rather strong physique, this dog is the model of the shepherd par excellence. Fast, active and quite balancedthis animal is very hardworking, versatile and resistant.
However, behind his imposing shepherd aspect hides a very gentle and very sensitive companion. He loves the company of children and does not hesitate to indulge in various games with them.
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog has a semi-long coat of yellow-gray and sometimes silver-gray color. It has a symmetrical head and small, but always erect, triangular ears. The female is 60 to 65 cm tall and weighs 20 to 25 kg, while for the same size, the male weighs 23 to 29 kg.
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog first appeared in the Czech Socialist Republic, which is currently divided into two states, including Slovakia and the Czech Republic. This sometimes earned him the name of Slovak wolfdog and Czech wolfdog.
It was born from a cross made between domesticated dogs (German shepherd) and a wild animal (Carpathian wolf). The goal was to have a domestic subject, but resistant to wolf attacks, to keep the flocks well.
The Czechoslovakian wolfdog is quite affectionate towards family members, but very deterrent to strangers. He is quite active and very protective, in addition to being an excellent hunter. He can be sociable with other animals in the house and very loyal to his masters.
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The corgi: a little shepherd with a strong character
Generally confused with an apartment dog, the corgi is indeed a sheepdog full of energy, despite its small body.
He then has the mind of a large dog and has the same needs as a large outdoor animal. There are generally two breeds of Corgi, including the Pembroke and the Cardigan. Both are similar in size (30 cm) and weight which varies between 9 and 12 kg depending on gender.
They have long and thick hair, but differ in color. The Pembroke has a uniform coat, sometimes red or fawn, sometimes with white spotting. The Cardigan, on the other hand, comes in several colors, with a tail similar to that of a fox.
The origins of this shepherd are the subject of many controversies.
While some associate the name Corgi with “Cur” which means “dog” in Celtic, others suggest that it is “Cor”, derived from Welsh, which means “dwarf”. The names Cardigan and Pembrokeshire meanwhile are names given to the agricultural regions of Wales.
What is obvious, however, is that this dog is a shepherd used to guard herds, especially cattle.
Contrary to what one might think, the Corgi is a very docile dog, easy to live with and to train. He is very active and very devoted to his masters. His unbearable character can however arise when he does not spend himself properly. We therefore advise you to go out with your dog, to make him do activities to feel good.
The German Shepherd: robust and obedient
Smart, athletic and bravethese are the qualifiers of this dog very present in the canine brigade of France.
Formerly used to guard herds, this animal now uses its abilities to:
- rescue missions,
- but also for the assistance of disabled people.
He is involved in several areas and is one of the favorite dogs in French homes. Despite his robustness and all the energy he possesses, he remains a very docile and obedient companion.
The German Shepherd is recognizable by its short, but hard and fairly dense hair. It has a generally black and tan color, with variations that can range from brown to light gray, through reddish brown and yellow. Its height and weight vary respectively between 55 and 65 cm and 22 and 40 kg, depending on the sex. Its life expectancy is 10 to 12 years and its origins date back to the 19th century.
It comes from a cross made by Captain Max Emil Frédéric Von Stephanitz, between shepherd dogs from central Germany and the South.
The German Shepherd can sometimes be overbearing, but he remains a very happy and quite affectionate animal. He is patient, easy to train, loves praise and is great fun with children.
On the other hand, he is very dissuasive in the face of strangers and does not like having his space invaded.
