- The German Shepherd
- The Border Collie
- The Australian Shepherd
- The Rough Collie
- The Belgian Shepherd
- The Shepherd of Beauce
- The Shetland Sheepdog
- The Welsh Corgi
- The Dutch Shepherd
- The Berger Blanc Suisse
- The Bobtail
- The Brie Shepherd
- The Shepherd of the Pyrenees
- The Berger Picard
- The Bergamasque Shepherd
The German Shepherd
Originally from Germany (Deutscher Schäferhund) where it gets its name, the German Shepherd is certainly the most popular dog in France. Excellent guard dog, its function has also extended to other areas since the German Shepherd is used by the army as well as the police forces or as a guide dog for the blind.
Unfortunately, the German Shepherd was, a few years ago, a bit of a victim of its success because many owners acquired it purely out of fashion, without really being aware of the responsibility and obligations that engendered the adoption of a working dog, moreover with a very high guarding instinct.
The Border Collie
The Border Collie is considered to be the most intelligent dog of its kind, according to the work of Canadian psychologist Stanley Coren.He is indeed endowed with intellectual capacities, qualities of listening and especially of rather rare speed of execution, which he will be able to put at the service of many other canine activities (agility, treibball, obé-rhythm, etc.) , especially if he does not actually "work" on the herd.
This is of course not a breed to be put in the hands of just any master since its need to work will have to be met, whether by work in the herd of course or by other activities offered very regularly, even daily, to meet their significant spending needs.
Because no, we do not adopt a Border Collie simply because he is considered intelligent and therefore potentially docile. On the contrary, the smartest dogs are often those who manage to put strategies in place so that they don't have to listen and do what they will enjoy the most.
The Australian Shepherd
Of American origin, as its name does not indicate, the Australian Shepherd is a dog as dynamic as it is affectionate.
Very appreciated physically, the Australian Shepherd has been the delight of many French households for the past few years. Since 2019, the Australian Shepherd has even become the favorite dog breed of the French and occupies first place in the Book of French Origins, which lists all purebred dogs in France. But his beauty and his great popularity should not make us forget that we are dealing with a real herding working dog whose great need for activity will have to be met on a daily basis.
The Rough Collie
The Rough Collie was very popular, especially in the 1940s after the release of Eric Knight's famous novel, and its many television adaptations, "Lassie, faithful dog" .
This sheepdog is one of the sweetest and most docile but he is also very sensitive.
Like many of its shepherd "cousins" , the Rough Collie is used both for herding and as a companion dog, to help the police or to guide people with disabilities visual.
The Belgian Shepherd
It was Professor Adolphe Reul, at the end of the 19th century, who decided to classify the Belgian Shepherd into 4 distinct categories: Malinois, Groenendael, Tervueren and Laekenois.
Like his "cousin" the German Shepherd, the Belgian Shepherd Malinois is employed by the army and the police thanks to his great physical and intellectual abilities.
Also excellent as a family dog, the Belgian Shepherd is still not made for all homes! He will need a lot of physical and mental effort to fully develop.For these dogs who also turn out to be outstanding watchdogs, the lack of physical and mental stimulation could have very serious behavioral repercussions.
The Shepherd of Beauce
Commonly called Beauceron, the Berger de Beauce is a calm and faithful herding dog. Breed "made in France" , even if its origins are still rather vague at the present time, the Beauceron is, in addition to being a perfect sheepdog, an incredible guard dog.
It is worth remembering, however, that, as with all dogs in this category, the Beauceron's significant need for physical and mental expenditure. This dog will thus suit sporting masters, or at least dynamic and non-sedentary ones.
The Shetland Sheepdog
Originally from Scotland, the Shetland Sheepdog is a small sheepdog in size but not in intelligence!
The mistake would be to believe that given its small size, it will be perfect for people looking only for a companion dog/sofa. On the contrary, the Shetland Sheepdog is very active and will need to be stimulated daily to be well in his paws. It will be the perfect companion for masters wishing to learn tricks, or even do agility.
The Welsh Corgi
The Corgi is none other than the pet dog of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Originally from Wales, the breed is also divided into two distinct varieties: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Initially used as a herding dog, the Welsh Corgi is now used more for its guarding and hunting qualities, but above all as a companion dog.
The Dutch Shepherd
Very close to his cousin the Belgian Shepherd, the Dutch Shepherd is a very sporty and enduring dog who was "saved" by Dutch breeders at the end of the 19th century.
Imported since the 80s in France, the Dutch Shepherd is known and recognized for its guarding skills, RCI, tracking or more generally obedience.
It is also used by the army and police forces for its great physical and intellectual abilities.
The Berger Blanc Suisse
The Berger Blanc Suisse, or BBS for friends, is also known as the White Wolf. He could have never seen the light of day because the immaculate color of his coat did not correspond to the standard of the German Shepherd from which he "descends" .
The Berger Blanc Suisse is a dog that is both calm and playful, sensitive and very intelligent, which makes it a perfect family dog.However, he too, like all the others, will need to exert himself physically and mentally on a daily basis to be well on his feet and fully fulfilled.
The bobtail
The Old English Sheepdog, much better known as the Bobtail, is the archetypal "hairball" . Famous for its abundant and shaggy coat, the bobtail is endowed with great agility that its somewhat clumsy gait does not suggest.
Under a gentle and pleasant nature hides a friendly family dog but also an efficient shepherd and guard dog. Whatever his "job" , he will therefore need, like his other congeners in the group of sheepdogs, his daily exercise quota to be well in his hair, which he has very many!
The Brie Shepherd
The Berger de Brie, or Briard, is a breed of dog resulting from the crossing of Barbet and Beauceron. They can be recognized by their wavy gray, fawn or black coat, and their head covered with long hair with a natural parting in the middle!
The Briard has characteristics common to many other sheepdogs: aptitude for training, intelligence, protective instinct towards his family (especially children, whom he considers his flock) and distrust of strangers. The Berger de Brie is reputed to be tireless, so novice and poorly informed owners can easily find themselves overwhelmed by its hard work and insatiable joie de vivre.
The Shepherd of the Pyrenees
Enthusiastic, mischievous and smart, the Pyrenean Shepherd is a tireless herdsman who comes in two varieties called long-haired and smooth-faced.
The Pyrenean Shepherd is a dog that overflows with energy. He is always alert and ready for action. A good dose of daily activity is therefore essential to his mental, emotional and physical he alth to channel his great energy.
The Berger Picard
The Berger Picard can be recognized by its rectangular head, topped with eyebrows, a shaggy beard and mustache.
The Berger Picard is an ideal companion for sporty owners. His agility and boundless energy make him the ideal partner for all kinds of sports, games and outdoor activities that he will appreciate more than anything practicing with his master. As with all sheepdogs, inaction risks leading these sensitive and intelligent dogs to unwanted behavior.
The Bergamasque Shepherd
The Bergamasque Shepherd is also known as the Bergamo Shepherd.
Beneath its unique coat forming long locks hides a lively, loyal, affectionate, vigilant sheepdog with the touch of independence that characterizes many mountain dogs.
An outstanding herdsman, he also watches over the members of his social group with serene vigilance. Little inclined to city life, this rustic dog prefers the wide open spaces of the countryside where he can indulge in the exercise he needs.