AKA: North American Miniature Australian Shepherd, Mini Australian Shepherd, North American Shepherd, Toy Australian Shepherd, Mini Aussie, Tea Cup Australian Shepherd

Description: The North American Miniature Australian Shepherd has a slightly wavy coat that is moderate in length. It has feathering on the back of its legs and a mane and frill around its neck. Its skull is flat and clean cut, and its upper jaw does not hang over the lower jaw.

Dynamics: The Miniature Australian Shepherd is an affectionate and playful dog. It is great with children and is courageous and very active. It is also attentive and is easy to train. This dog has to be given attention otherwise it becomes nervous and destructive. The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a dog that always needs to be doing something. Socialization is needed so that it will not grow up suspicious of strangers. The Miniature Australian Shepherd is not usually dog aggressive and can get along with other dogs.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: 20-40 pounds (9-18 kg)

Height: 13 to 18 inches (35 to 46 cm)

Color: The coat of the Miniature Australian Shepherd comes in either blue or red merle, red or black tricolor, or all with white or tn markings. The hair around the ears and eyes should not be white.

Country of Origin: The Miniature Australian Shepherd was bred in the United States in 1968 using small Australian Shepherds.

Activities: The Miniature Australian Shepherd is an active breed and therefore needs to be regularly walked and exercised. This is a working dog and has to be always on the go.

Grooming: An occasional brush with a firm bristle brush is enough to groom the Miniature Australian Shepherd. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Miniature Australian Shepherd has a life expectancy of 12-13 years. This breed is prone to blindness and deafness as the gene for the merle combination carried this factor. This breed will be all right living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

Photo: Elf

AKA: Greek Sheepdog, Greek Shepherd

Description: The Hellenikos Poimenikos is a dog breed of medium to large size. It has a solid body and massive head, exuding superior physical strength and power. The muzzle and cheeks are wide and deep, with the jaws forming either a scissors or plain bite. The ears should not be cropped. The eyes are almond-shaped and the eyelids are tight.

The chest is broad and deep. The coat is thick, it body covered with slightly long rough-looking hair. The tail is thick at the base. Some tails are long, some are short. Some have no tail. The breed is generally characterized by its heavy bone structure, good muscle, and thick coat.

Dynamics: The Hellenikos Poimenikos is a working dog that requires great patience. It is proud and hardworking as a sheep and goat guard. It works better in pairs, moving at the sides of the flock and looking out for wolves and other predators. It is a loyal, independent, and brave dog, with a strong protective instinct for the animals and territory. It can adapt to any rough condition. It is naturally observant and wary, and it will only heed to its owner or shepherd.

The Hellenikos Poimenikos has a serious temperament. It does not tolerate violent behavior and can be dominant when the owner does not have strong leadership over it. It is wary of strangers and cautious in getting along with others. It is aggressive towards other animals. It has a loud and powerful bark that is given as a warning to back off its territory. To avoid excessive aggressiveness, proper socialization is required. The Hellenikos Poimenikos can also be trained to be trustworthy.

Breed Group: Flock Guardian

Weight: males 84-110 pounds (38-50 kg), females 70-92 pounds (32-42 kg)

Height: males 25-29 inches (65-75 cm), females 23-26 inches (60-68 cm)

Color: The coat colors of the Hellenikos Poimenikos include black, grayish-brown, and white.

Country of Origin: The Hellenikos Poimenikos originates in Greece.

Activities: The Hellenikos Poimenikos is an energetic and serious dog breed that needs to work to keep itself busy. Boredom will only cause it to develop destructive behavior and excessive barking.

Grooming: Brushing and combing at least once a week is enough. Remove dead hairs. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Hellenikos Poimenikos has a life expectancy of 12 years. It is a generally healthy breed. This breed is not meant for the city life. It is a natural flock guardian, and is best on an open field guarding the flock from wild predators.

AKA: n/a
Description: The English Shepherd breed can be compared to Collies also to Australian Shepherds physical looks. They are a medium sized breed regularly hairy and has long body compared to its tail. They are considered a working a dog. Coat is regular in length and very shiny and smooth to touch,can be wavy or straight and they come in variety of colors.

Temperament: A genius dog, hard working with less supervision, they are very independent dog. Also, they are friendly and affectionate too. Although they can be demanding a times but mostly is sociable especially within his family at home. Moreover, they could get along well with children and with other dogs. They are a very strong breed since they are used for hunting and as watchdog. To strangers, they are very observant and could immediately alert their owner for some suspicious movements outside or inside the house.

Activity: They are required to have exercise in the form of walking or jog daily, to keep them fit and strong.

Health: They are also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia like other breeds.

Grooming: They don’t require heavy grooming. Brushing daily would be enough for this breed. Bathe them only when necessary.

Breed Group: Herding
Color: Sable and white , tricolor, black and white, and black and tan.
Height: 18-23 inches (46-58 cm)
Weight: Males – 45-60 pounds (21-28 kg.) Females – 40-50 pounds 18-23 kg.)
Country Of Origin: England

Dynamics: This breed is a very independent, intelligent and friendly dog. They are born a hunter and a watchdog so they are very alert to some suspicious strangers that would envade their owner’s house. With their family, they are hardworking that would be a great help and they don’t have any problem dealing with other dogs as they are very sociable.

Image Source: English Shepherd

AKA: Hollandse Herdershond, Hollandse Herder, Dutch Shepherd, Holland Shepherd

Description: There are three varieties of the Dutch Shepherd: the long-haired, the short-haired, and the wire-haired. The short-haired variety, with a fine and dense coat, is very common, the wire-haired one, with medium length hair that is wiry, less so. The long-haired variety, with long straight and harsh hair, is very rare.

The body of the Dutch Shepherd Dog is muscular and symmetrical. It has dark slanting eyes and ears that stand erect on its head. It has a long muzzle and the strong teeth forms a scissors bite. The tail is slightly curved. The feet are small, and there are no dewclaws.

Dynamics: The Dutch Shepherd Dog is an affectionate dog with a sweet and playful disposition. It is very friendly, loving, and highly energetic. It is a very happy dog, and very intelligent. It gets along well with children and with other dogs and animals. It is reserved and suspicious of strangers. It is easy to train and very eager to learn, which makes it an active and enthusiastic worker.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: 65-67 pounds (29.5-30.5 kg.)

Height: 22-25 inches (55-63cm.)

Color: The coat color or the Dutch Shepherd Dog can come in various shades of brindle, including gray, yellow, silver, red or gold brindle, and blue.

Country of Origin: The Dutch Shepherd Dog comes from the Netherlands, and is not really popular outside the country as compared to the related Belgian shepherds’ popularity in the US and northern Europe.

Activities: The Dutch Shepherd Dog is a highly energetic dog and likes a lot of action. This breed has to be kept physically and mentally exercised. They need to be taken outdoors for a walk or a run from time to time. The Dutch Shepherd Dog is popular for being a herder and for its quick reflexes. It has been used for agility, catch, obedience competitions, guard work, and field training companionship. The Dutch Shepherd Dog is also valued as a farm guard, cart-puller, watchdog, and police and security dog.

Grooming: The long-haired and short-haired variety need regular combing and brushing. The wire-haired variety should never be brushed and can only be combed from time to time. It needs professional plucking twice a year to remove dead and loose hairs. The excess hair on the ears should be removed. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Dutch Shepherd dog has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. This breed will be fine living in the city and in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised and taken outdoors often. This is a generally healthy breed and its all-weather coat helps it to overcome cold climate.

Description: Usually in black and tan or shades of Sable, the Dakotah Shepherd is a new breed with short to medium length coats. Its size is average and the body is well-proportioned. No standard has yet been established.

Dynamics: The Dakotah Shepherd is smart and intelligent, capable of learning through a flexible training. It has a gentle temperament and is great with children. It is a loyal dog, devoted to its family. The Dakotah Shepherd is generally quiet and calm. It is a breed content with the company of a family.

Weight: 35-50 pounds (16-23 kg)

Height: 17- 21 inches (43-54 cm)

Color: The coat color of the Dakotah Shepherd is usually black & tan or shades of Sable. There may be white patches and markings on the chest and feet.

Country of Origin: The Dakotah Shepherd is a new breed being bred by the Triple M Kennel from the English Shepherd and the Dakota Shep Foundation.

Activities: The Dakotah Shepherd is being trained to be a good herder. It is also able in agility and can be used as a watchdog (although they have not yet shown any sign of aggression towards strangers).

Grooming: Occasional combing and brushing is enough. Bathe only when necessary. Shedding usually comes in the Spring and during hot temperatures.

Other Info: So far, there are no known health problems specific to this breed, although it may be prone to normal minor health concerns that all dog breeds have, like hip and elbow dysplasia. The Dakotah Shepherd will be fine in any home, as long as it is taken outdoors occasionally.

AKA: Karakachan

Description: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is a compact and well-constructed dog with a well-balanced body. It has a broad and massive head which slightly narrows at the muzzle. The nose is black, the eyes deeply placed and dark brown in color. The ears are slightly set high. The jaws form a scissors bite.

The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog’s body consists of a strong neck with folds of skin, a broad chest, and a strong, straight back. The tail is carried curved or ring-shaped over the back. The legs are powerful, straight and parallel to each other. The coat is of medium length to long. Short hair covers the face and front of the legs but a fluffy layer of hair covers the rest of the body.

Dynamics: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is an easy, alert, and careful working dog. It has an independent mind, and is mildly aggressive, although this aggressiveness increases when it is threatened. It is very reserved towards strangers, and gets along well with children (at worst it is tolerant with children). Strangers aside, it is devoted and loyal to its family and the people it grew up with.

The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is a true working dog, and not the usual family pet. It has a well-developed sense of smell, hearing, and sight. It can easily adapt to any environment and quickly react to any situation. It is a guard dog by heart, bred to protect and defend pets, the farm, and its family. When socialized since puppyhood with the farm animals and pets, the Bulgarian Shepherd Dog will not be a threat to them.

Breed Group: Flock Guardian

Weight: males 99-125 lbs (45-57 kg), females 88-114 lbs (40-52 kg)

Height: males 26-30 inches (65-75 cm), females 25-28 inches (63-72 cm)

Color: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog can come in any color, although usually its coat is white with big black spots.

Country of Origin: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog came from Central Asia, from the Afghanistan and Iran area, where migrations of the Bulgarians started. It can be said that the breed originated in Bulgaria.

Activities: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is a moderately active dog, very calm and cautious in guarding and working. It only needs to do its job, and is a very serious breed.

Grooming: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog only needs to be brushed every 2-3 days. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog has a life expectancy of 12-14 years. It is a generally healthy breed and there is no disease specifically threatening to it.

AKA: Chodsky Pes, Chodenhund, Czech Sheepdog, Bohemian Herder

Description: The Bohemian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog with long thick fur and rich undercoat. Its body is longer than it is tall, and has a great build. It is compact and well-proportioned. Its ears stand erect and pointed, highly set on its head. This breed has a fluid gait, light and patient.

Dynamics: The Bohemian Shepherd is a patient yet active dog. It is not aggressive and can be easily trained. It has a patient temperament and gets along well with children and other dogs and pets. It is not prone to any unstable behavior. It is friendly and devoted to its family and children but is reserved with strangers.

The Bohemian Shepherd makes a great watch dog and companion dog. It has an excellent nose, is agile and is very obedient. It also excels as a guide dog and is excellent in working alongside handicapped people.

Breed Group: not recognized by any kennel club

Weight: 35-55 lbs (16-25 kg)

Height: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm)

Color: The Bohemian Shepherd’s coat color is black and tan.

Country of Origin: The Bohemian Shepherd originates in the Czech Republic. It has been known to exist there since the 1300s and has been professionally bred since the 1500s.

Grooming: The Bohemian Shepherd is easy to groom despite its long hair. Occasional brushing is enough. Like any other shepherd dog, it udnergoes normal shedding in the summer.

Activities: The Bohemian Shepherd is very active, hardworking, and loves a great challenge. This breed is used for herding, search and rescue, service-training, agility, and sledding. It is also an excellent watch and guard dog, as well as a patient companion dog.

Other Info: The Bohemian Shepherd can live indoors and outdoors. What is important is that it can connect with the people it is with since this breed is people-oriented.

AKA: Pyrenean Shepherd, Petit Berger, Labrit, Pyrenees Sheepdog, Pyr Shep

Description: The Pyrenean Shepherd, as the Berges des Pyrenees is also called, is a medium-sized dog with its head a smaller proportion of its whole body. It has a flat skull and a short triangular muzzle. It has an expressive face and intelligent dark eyes. The ears are generally cropped. Others prefer them semi-prick or rose ears. Naturally prick ears are considered incorrect for the breed.

The Pyrenean Shepherd has a long and lean body. The legs are well-proportioned, and the hocks well-angulated. The tale can either be docked or left to be naturally long with a crook in the end.

This breed has two varieties of coats. The smooth-faced, or demi-long, has short hairs on the muzzle and a ruff around the face and neck. There is feathering along the legs, tail, and belly. The rough-faced, or long-haired, consists of longer and shaggy hair on the muzzle and face. Semilong or long hair is distributed over the rest of the body. It can also have cords over his hind quarters and front legs.

Dynamics: Bred as a sheepdog, the Pyrenean Shepherd is an energetic and athletic dog. It is a hardworking breed that is loyal and dedicated to its owners. It is also watchful and observant, sensing every mood and seeming to know what’s on its owner’s mind. It is easy to train and socialization is needed to avoid excessive shyness or aggressiveness in the breed.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: 15-32 lbs (7-15 kg)

Height: males 15 ½-22 inches (39-56 cm), females 15-20 inches (38-51 cm)

Color: The Pyrenean Shepherd comes in shades of fawn (can have a black mask or overlay), brindles and shades of grey, and sometimes rare are merles and black coated Pyrenean Shepherds.

Country of Origin: The Pyrenean Shepherd originated in France, native to the Pyrenees mountains. It is bred mostly for herding but also used as couriers, search and rescue dogs, watch dogs, and company mascots.

Activities: The Pyrenean Shepherd is famous for its herding abilities, and has been so since medieval times. It is now also used as a search and rescue dog, a guard dog, watch dog, and as a companion dog.

Grooming: It may have a shaggy coat and a rough appearance but the Pyrenean Shepherd only needs to be brushed once a week. Regular checks for knots is needed, though, to keep the coat in show condition.

AKA: Berger Picard, Picardy Shepherd, Bacardi Shepherd, Berger de Pacardie

Description: The Berger Picard is a medium-sized dog with a tousled appearance. The ears are set high on the head and erect and the eyes are dark almond shapes. The eyebrows are thick but do not entirely cover the eyes. The Berger Picard is a breed known for its smile. It also has a tail that reaches to the hock and forms a J-curve at the tip.

Dynamics: The Berger Pacardi has a lively and assertive personality. It is sensitive and intelligent and can be easily trained. This is an energetic and hardworking breed, and is content having to work. It gets along well with children, too! It is naturally protective of its family.

The Berger Picard needs lots of human companionship. It has an intelligent sens of humor and disposition that will make it easy on the family to love it. It can be very reserved with strangers, though. Socialization at an early age is important for the dog to get along well with other animals.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg)

Height: 21-25 ½ inches (53-65 cm)

Color: The Berger Picard comes in either fawn or grey, with a range of shade variations.

Country of Origin: The Berger Picard originated in France, and is considered as the oldest of the French Sheepdogs. It was brought to northern France and the Pas de Calais by the Celts in the 9th century.
Activities: The Berger Picard was bred to work on the fields. This breed is very athletic and energetic that boredom will only make it restless and destructive.

Grooming: In grooming the Berger Picard, no special care is really needed, since its rough and tousled appearance is natural and the coat doesn’t mat. Brush its coat once a month and bathe it only when necessary. Trimming is needed, especially around the ear edges. This breed has a little doggie odor.

Other Info: The Berger Picard is bred for outdoor work, but it can live well in the city and in an apartment so long as it receives lots of exercises and play sessions. It will be quiet and inactive indoors but will go all out outdoors. This breed can be used as a guard dog, although it doesn’t bark that much. The Berger Picard is also talented in agility, tracking, schutzhund, flyball, swimming, and the French Ring Sport.

AKA: Bergamaschi, Bergamese Shepherd, Cane da Pastore Bergamasco, Bergamo Shepherd Dog

Description: The Bergamasco Shepherd is an ancient dog breed which can be traced back to at least 2000 years. It is a medium-sized dog, well-proportioned, and well well-balanced. It has a rustic appearance, distinctly set apart from the other breeds by its unique coat.

The Bergamasco Shepherd’s coat has three types of hair that forms mats or flocks. The mats would start from the spin and grow down each year reaching for the ground. The dog also has a thick curtain of hair covering its eyes, acting as a visor against the sun’s reflection off the snow in the mountains.

Dynamics: The Bergamasco Shepherd is an intelligent and peaceful dog. It gets along really well with its own kind and grow up in harmony with them. It has no natural impulse towards rivalry and domination and avoids provoking one another. It can be seen to have great respect for other Bergamasco Shepherds.

The Bergamasco Shepherd is attentive at the same time reserved. It would appear to be asleep or uninterested but it will participate in everything that goes around it. It is an excellent watch dog because it keeps an eye on its environment and doesn’t really like strangers appearing suddenly. When it comes to children , the Bergamasco Shepherd shows a very touching spot. It is patient, tolerant, and encouraging to the children, at the same time protecting them. This breed is actually used as therapy dogs for handicapped children.

While generally, the Bergamasco gets along with other dog breeds, it is better not to have it near a very protective breed. The Bergamasco also gets along with cats and other pets as long as it is socialized with them at an early age. Regarding strangers, it will all depend on how the Bergamasco senses him or her.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 70-84 lbs (32-38 kg), females 57-71 lbs (26-32 kg)

Height: males 23 ½ inches (60 cm), females 22 inches (56 cm)

Color: The Bergamasco Shepherd can come in anything ranging from from gray or silver gray to anthracite. This color served as a camouflage for the breed when working in the mountains.

Country of Origin: The Bergamasco Shepherd officially originated in Italy. It is a very ancient breed, though, that its bloodline is traced from shepherds and cattle dogs from the Orient and the West, in the time when migration among nomad populations were happening. The first Bergamasco Shepherds was said to have been commonly found in the Alpine Arc and in the Po Basin of Piedmont and Lombardy, where they went in the winter.

Grooming: The Bergamasco Shepherd will not need so much grooming when it is fully flocked. Bathing and brushing is still needed, of course.

The three types of hair the Bargamasco Shepherd has are: the undercoat, which is fine, dense, and oily, forming a waterproof layer; the goat hair, which are long strands of hair similar to the coat of a goat; and the woolly top coat, which is soft and finer than the other two types of hair. It is when the woolly hair weaves together with the goat hair that flocking happens. The flocks continues to grow throughout the dog’s life, reaching the ground at its age of five years.

Activities: The Bergamasco Shepherd loves and enjoys the outdoors. It will be content on herding the sheep or playing with the children.

Other Info: The Bergamasco Shepherd has a life expectancy of 13-15 years. The Bergamasco Shepherd is perfect for seasonal to cold climates, as their dense coats will provide protection from the cold elements. This breed is not suitable for an apartment life and would sometimes prefer sleeping outdoors.