Dogs have been an important part of farm life since ancient times. A 2008 study found that dogs were domesticated in Europe between 32,000-18,800 years ago. The oldest dog remains in the world found thus far dated to 31,700 years ago. A Roman relief decorated the short end of a sarcophagus from 2nd-3rd century CE which depicted a herdsman accompanied by his dog, a sheep, and a goat.
All of this shows how important dogs are to farming. Not just man's best friend, the family dog can be trained for different jobs to help out on the farm. Some are better for herding sheep while others are more suited for guarding the livestock. Others are better for taking care of rats and small rodents. A few breeds can even be considered multi-purpose for fulfilling several of these roles.
When deciding to add a dog to your farm, make sure you're selecting the breed that best suits your needs. If you need a dog for guarding the livestock, a Great Pyrenees would suit your needs well. On the other hand, if you need one more for herding the livestock rather than guarding it, a dog from the shepherd breed would be better.
One final thing to mention is to make sure wherever you get your dog or puppy from, make sure that it's from an ethical and responsible place. While everyone loves puppies, animal shelters and rescue groups are also good places to find your next farm dog. After all, these guys need love, too.
Without further ado, here are 15 of the best dog breeds, in no particular order, for farm life.
1. German Shepherd Dog
These dogs are now commonly thought of as police or protection dogs. However, they were originally bred as a herding dog to herd sheep (my own mixed breed German Shepherd has this instinct and will try to herd our chickens every chance he gets). They have a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose, are curious, and moderately active. Well known for being easy to train, these dogs are good for performing tasks and following instructions.German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient, and are very protective of their owners.
2. Great Pyrenees
Commonly known as Great Pyrenees, their official name is Pyrenean Mountain Dog. These French livestock guardian dogs protected sheep, and were often fitted with a long spiked "wolf collar" to protect their neck from attacks from wolves while they protected the flock. A 1986 survey in the United States showed that 57% of farmers used them for guardian livestock.
3. Border Collie
Border Collies are a British herding dog breed.It is thought that the word 'collie' comes from the old Celtic word for "useful." These medium-sized dogs are very demanding, playful, energetic, and will exhibit a strong desire to herd, including small children and other smaller pets such as cats. Working Border Collies can learn their commands by voice or by whistle, thus enabling them to receive commands from far distances.
4. Corgi
The Welsh Corgi is a small herding dog that originated in, you guessed it, Wales. These herding dogs are referred to as "heelers", meaning that they nip at the heels of the larger animals to keep them on the move. In more modern times these small dogs have been used less for herding and more for becoming a family pet.
5. Rat Terrier
These little dogs were often used on farms and ships to catch vermin. Unfortunately, their name comes from their earlier "entertainment" value in the late 19th century in rat-baiting. This now illegal event involved releasing captured rats into an enclosed space with spectators betting on long a dog, usually one of these terriers, took to kill the rats. While it seems inhuman to let dogs kill the rats, it is a quick death, as I know from experience by my own dogs*.
6. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are considered to be one of the oldest surviving dog breeds, going as far back as Roman times. They were used as herding dogs, with a great work ethic, and they make use of their ability to intimidate. If a Rottweiler is working with cattle, it will find the dominant animal and challenge it, and once it's proven it's control over that animal it will tend to its work. They are especially suited to move stubborn stock, and will use their bodies to physically force the stubborn animal to do its bidding if necessary.
7. Dalmatian
The Dalmatian was originally a hunting dog, but was also used as a carriage dog. A carriage dog, though not strictly the Dalmatian, was bred and trained to trot alongside carriages to protect the occupants from bandits or other interference. They were also used as bird dogs and trail hounds, and retrievers. This breed has a strong hunting instinct, and also retains a high guarding instinct.
8. Komondor
The Komondor, also known as the Hungarian Sheepdog, is a guardian livestock dog. This breed has a natural guardian instinct and an inherent ability to guard the livestock. Komondors are protective and are very good with other family pets. They are vigilant and will rest in the daytime, keeping an eye on its surroundings, but at night they are constantly moving and patrolling the place.These large dogs will usually knock down intruders and keep them down until its owner arrives.
9. Jack Russell Terrier
Another breed of terrier is the well known Jack Russell Terrier. They were originally bred for fox-hunting by the Reverend John "Jack" Russell, whom they are named after, in the 19th century. Due to their very high prey drive, they like to hunt smaller animals such as rodents, which will help keep them out of the barn.
10. Shetland Sheepdog
Often known as Shelties, this herding breed originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. They were originally introduced breeders as Shetland Collies, upsetting the Rough Collie breeders, so the name was changed to Shetland Sheepdog. Although their instinct to herd is primarily a product of breeding, Shelties are still used for sheep herding.
11. Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog was used to drive sheep and cattle to market. These “drover dogs” would not only drive livestock to market, but also pull carts and wagons. Drover dogs are known for their stamina, steadiness, and courage.
12. Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd name is used in the United States to describe dogs descended from regional Turkish livestock guardian dogs, particularly the Kangal Shepherd Dog. Like the Great Pyrenees mentioned above, the Anatolian Shepherd is also, at times, fitted with a wolf collar to help protect them in their traditional role as a flock guardian dog. They would often be kept with flocks of sheep to fend off wolves and other predators.
13. Australian Shepherd
Despite it's name, the Australian Shepherd was a herding dog bred in the United States. They are more commonly known as being a pet now days, but they still retain the strong herding instinct. It is not uncommon to find them herding children or other pets.
14. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog does originate in Australia. They were originally bred to herd by biting, and are still known to nip running children. The bred forms a strong attachment to its owners, and can be protective of them and their possessions. As a herding dog it is reactive to the handler's body language and willing to work accurately at a distance from the handler.
15. Bernese Mountain Dog
These large dogs have roots in the Roman mastiffs, and are one of the four breeds of Sennenhunde-type dogs (called Swiss mountain dogs) from Bern, Switzerland. The breed was used as an all purpose farm dog for guarding property, and also to drive dairy cattle long distances from the farm to the alpine pastures. Large Sennenhunde in the past were also used as draft animals, pulling carts. Today they are more often family pets.
* For those of you who simply must know, I have a German Shepherd/Husky mix, a Chow mix, and a full German Shepherd.
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