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Pastoral DogsRead about Pastoral Dogs or Herding Dogs on this page. First you'll find a complete list of all the breeds in this group. When you scroll down, they'll be photos and information on our featured breeds which are currently the Shetland Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, Border Collie and the Lancashire Heeler. These are dogs we've met on our morning and evening walks so a big thank you to the owners for letting me photograph their dogs. If you click on the photo, you'll be taken to the relevant Breed Standard - but don't forget to come back! Here is a complete list of all the Pastoral Dogs as defined by the Kennel Club of Great Britain. 
Johnson IV, the Shetland Sheepdog
These are the breeds developed to herd animals such as sheep, cattle, reindeer and other cloven-footed animals. They are active dogs and often require considerable exercise. Breeds include the Collie family, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds, the reindeer herding dog with a thick white coat and tightly curled tail. Usually breeds within this group have a weatherproof double coat to protect them from severe working conditions.
This link will take you to the
Pastoral group page on the Kennel Club website. The Old English Sheepdog is recognised the world over as the symbol for Dulux paint. Their tails are completely cropped hence the nick-name ‘Bobtail’. This originated in 18th century England when herding dogs such as these were exempt from taxes and their tails were docked to denote their occupation.
Their coats are coarse and long and the breed need regular, if not daily, grooming. They used to be sheared annually with the sheep and their hair would be spun with the sheep’s wool into warm clothing. Their coats can be grey, grizzle (dark and white hairs mixed), blue or blue merle with or without white markings. Browns and fawns can also be seen.
Females measure on average 61cm at the withers (highest part of the back), males 66cm; females weigh on average 35kg and males 41kg.
Old English Sheepdogs can be boisterous and they are extrovert and playful. We met Bentley on one of our walks. He is eight months old and full of the joys of spring!
The Border Collie is a breed of herding dog that originated in the border country of England and Scotland. They are an extremely intelligent breed and need regular exercise and stimulation. A hard working dog, they are still used on farms all over the world assisting with the movement of livestock.
The Border Collie Trust rescues and rehomes collies throughout the UK.
Shetland Sheepdogs are often mistaken for smaller Rough Collies - the breed in the Lassie films. They were used for hundreds of years to herd and guard sheep in the Shetland Isles off Scotland and have a dense undercoat to protect them from the weather. Johnson IV (so called because he is the owner's fourth dog of the same name) has a sable coat and was very keen to get on with the business of the day ie. chasing his hoop. They are active dogs needing regular exercise and are easily trainable.
Lancashire Heelers were thought to have come about through crosses between the Corgi and the Manchester Terrier. They were originally farm dogs used for herding cattle - nipping the heels of the cows to keep them moving. They are also known as the Omskirk Heeler.
They are between 25 and 30 cm tall (compare with a Greyhound at around 76cm) and their coats are short to medium. Grooming is minimal - maybe once a week - and there is little shedding of hair.
Here is Bonnie, a female Lancashire Heeler of fourteen months who shares her home with a
Greyhound
called Paddy.
We have been lucky enough to meet these dogs on our morning or evening dog walks and the owners have very kindly allowed us to use the photos.
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