AKA: Berger de Brie, Berger Briard

Description: The Briard is a large herding dog characterized by its coarse, long, and slightly wavy coat. It has a bushy look all over, and it has a beard, mustache, and shaggy eyebrows. It has a black nose and its ears can be cropped or left naturally. The tail is feathery, and has a crochet hook at the tip.

Dynamics: The Briard is a natural herder and farm worker dog. It is always alert and has a strong protective instinct. It is sensitive and is equipped with an exceptional hearing ability. It is gentle and sweet, and brave and loyal that it makes an excellent watchdog.

The Briard is very intelligent and has a good memory. It is eager to please its owner, but it also has a will of its own. Training it should involve showing who is the master because it can be stubborn if not raise properly. Socialization should begin in its early years and the training has to be consistent. The Briard can become destructive and very unfriendly if it is not brought up well. It can get along with children and other household pets but it has to be treated with affection and respect.

The Briard is a very dedicated and faithful dog to its family, almost to the point that it disregards other people. This breed requires lots of activities and work to satisfy its energy and be happy.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: average 75 lbs (35 kg)

Height: males 24-27 inches (62-68 kg), females 22-25 inches (56-64 kg)

Color: The Briard comes in either black, gray, or tawny. The coat of the tawny Briard puppy will turn to a lighter yearling coat, and then deepen again to a darker color as it grows.

Country of Origin: The Briard is an ancient breed that originated in France. It became popular in 1863. By this time, its look has improved because of crosses with the Beauceron and Barbet.

Activities: The Briard is a breed that is happy when it’s working, otherwise it becomes restless and destructive. It needs to be exercised enough and given the time to run around freely. The Briard is a natural herder and flock guardian, but it is also used in search and rescue, police work, military work, watchdogging, and guarding.

Grooming: The Briard’s coat is coarse and a little rough. It doesn’t get dirty easily. But it can become matted if not brushed regularly. Excessive hair in the ears and between the pads of its feet should be removed. The ears should be checked regularly, too.

Other Info: The Briard has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. It is a healthy breed but is prone to PRA, cataracts, and hip dysplasia. This breed is also prone to bloat and may experience stomach torsion, which can be fatal. The Briard will get along fine in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised and taken outdoors. This breed is devoted to be with its family, but it also loves to be outdoors.

AKA: Flanders Cattle Dog, Vlaamse Koehend

Description: The Bouvier des Flandres is a massive and heavily-coated dog that has a thick beard and mustache. It also has shaggy eyebrows that add to its distinctive appearance. It has a black nose, dark brown oval-shaped eyes, and teeth that form a scissors bite. Its ears stand erect, triangular in shape, and may be cropped.

The Bouvier des Flandres has a proportionately square body. It has a broad and deep chest, and the tail is docked. The legs are muscular, with the front legs perfectly straight.

Dynamics: The Bouvier des Flanders is a gentle-mannered and calm dog. It is obedient and can be trained easily. It is intelligent enough to learn commands quickly, but the training has to be consistent, balanced, and firm. The Bouvier also needs to be clear on who the master is to avoid dominance problems.

The Bouvier is excellent with children, and can get along well with other household pets is socialized at an early age. Socialization is important to prevent over-protectiveness or shyness in the breed. The Bouvier is sometimes suspicious and reserved with strangers. But generally, it is a lively, enthusiastic, and responsible dog.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 75-90 lbs (34-41 kg), females 60-80 lbs (27-36 kg)

Height: males 23-28 inches (58-71 cm), females 22-27 inches (56-69 cm)

Color: The coat of the Bouvier des Flandres comes in black, fawn, blonde, gray, or brindle. Some may have a white marking on the chest.

Country of Origin: The Bouvier des Flandres comes from Belgium, where it was bred from a cross between the Griffon and the Beauceron.

Activities: The Bouvier des Flandres has an average demand for exercise. A daily walk and exercises would be sufficient for it to remain healthy and active. The Bouvier des Flandres is currently used as a watchdog and guard dog as well as a tracking dog. It is also being used as a guide for the blind, in search and rescue, police work, military work, carting, competitions, and schutzhund.

Grooming: The Bouvier des Flandres’ coat requires some attention when it comes to grooming. The coat has to be brushed regularly. Bathe or dry shampoo only when needed. Excess hair inside the ears and between the pads of the feet should be removed or trimmed. The coat needs to be trimmed at least three times a year.

Other Info: The Bouvier des Flandres has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. It is a healthy breed and is accustomed to harsh conditions. It is still prone to some health conditions though, such as hip dysplasia and eye problems. The Bouvier des Flandres will do well in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors from time to time and sufficiently exercised.

Description: The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog with a body longer than it is tall. There are two varieties of Border Collie: one with coarse hair, and one with sleek hair. The coarse-haired variety has a mane and a tail brush. For both the varieties, the hair on the face, ears, and front legs is always short and sleek.

The head of the Border Collie is fairly wide, with a distinct stop. The nose is black and the ears, set high on the head, are usually half-perked. The eyes are dark brown, except in merles where the eyes can be blue. The teeth forms a scissors bite.

Dynamics: The Border Collie is an intelligent and energetic dog. It can be easily trained and is highly talented in obedience competitions, agility, and Frisbee. It is generally a happy and contented dog, though it may get aggressive with other male dogs. Most of the time, it gets along well with other breeds, though. The Border Collie is also good with children and other household pets. It has to be socialized well since puppyhood to help overcome shyness.

The Border Collie is serious in its work and is very eager to please. It is intelligent and active enough to do have extensive daily exercises and some work to do. Attention must be given to the Border Collie because bad behavior may arise when it gets bored and has nothing to do. It may be snappish and nip at the heels of people, due to its herding instincts. There may also be a time when it would challenge an owner’s authority. This breed can become dominant, although not every Border Collie has this problem.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 30-45 lbs (14-20 kg), females 27-42 lbs (12-19 kg)

Height: males 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), females 18-21 inches (46-53 cm)

Color: The coat of the Border Collie can be black and white, tricolor, red and white, black and gray, or all black. White is not the main color.

Country of Origin: The Border Collie comes from Northumberland, on the Scottish and English border. It is descended from old British herding breeds and some spaniel.

Grooming: In grooming the Border Collie, regular combing and brushing is needed to keep its coat shining. Bathe or dry shampoo only when needed. The coat and the ears has to be checked regularly for ticks.

Activities: The Border Collie needs both exercise and work in its daily life. Work and physical exercises come natural to them. Herding is a natural hobby for this breed. The Border Collie has a habit of crouching down and almost hypnotizing the herded animals with their stare. This breed is also used for bomb and narcotics detection, competitions and performances, police work, search and rescue, and as guide dogs for the blind and handicapped.

Other Info: The Border Collie has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. It a generally healthy breed but are still prone to hip dysplasia, PRA, and Collie Eye Anomaly (an eye disease common to Collies). It may also be allergic to fleas and prone to epilepsy and deafness. The Border Collie is not suitable for apartment life. This is a very active and workaholic breed that it needs a lot of space and area to spend its energy on.

AKA: Blue Lacy Game Dog, Texas Blue Lacy Game Dog, Texas Blue Lacy, Blue Lacy Hog Dog, Texas Lacy Game Dog

Description: The Blue Lacy is an average size breed with a sleek and clean appearance. It possesses a blue-color gene even if its coat is red or tricolor, hence its name. The Blue Lacy has minimal to full white markings on its brisket and on its paws. Another unique feature of the Blue Lacy is its eyes, which are a very bright orange to yellow color.

Dynamics: The Lacy is a great worker and companion dog. It is easy to train and handle, and it is great with children. This breed is voice sensitive so a stern voice can be enough to discipline it.

The Lacy is an energetic breed and a great worker. It is capable of handling the most challenging task, and it takes its work seriously. It is loyal and dedicated.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: 25-50 lbs (11-23 kg)

Height: 18-25 inches (46-64 cm)

Color: The Blue Lacy’s coat color can be classified as blue, red, or tricolor (red and tricolored are still called Blue Lacy’s because of their blue-color gene). The blue Blue Lacy can have a coat ranging from a light gun-metal gray to an almost black color. The red Blue Lacy can be red, or yellow to cream. The tricolored Blue Lacy has a blue coat with red markings over the eyes, on the muzzle, under the tail, and down the legs.

Country of Origin: The Blue Lacy is a unique breed from the United States and was once close to extinction. Made popular by the Lacy brothers (Frank, George, Ewin, and Harry Lacy) in 1858, the breed was named after them. It is now the breed most used by the United States Trappers.

Grooming: The Blue Lacy has short hair and therefore does not need much grooming.

Activities: The Blue Lacy requires lots of attention and exercise. As a herding dog, it loves to work and be in action. Aside from herding, the Blue Lacy is also used for hog hunting, finding wounded deer, and treeing game. It is also a reliable watch dog and companion dog.

Other Info: The Blue Lacy has a life expectancy of around 16 years. It can adapt to any type of living condition. It loves to be both indoors and outdoors.

AKA: Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Heeler, Hall’s Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Australischer Treibhund, Blue Heeler, Red Heeler

Description: The Australian Heeler is a powerful and agile working dog with a body a bit longer than it is high. It has a broad head, dark brown oval eyes, and moderately pointed ears. Its teeth forms a scissors bite. Its tail is slightly curved and reaches down to the hock.

Dynamics: The Australian Heeler is one of the most intelligent breeds. Born a working dog, this breed needs to be always in motion. Leaving it alone and making it bored might lead to behavior problems. Training it will require a firm hand and lots of attention.

The Australian Heeler is a loyal and protective dog. It tends to be a one-person dog. This dog can be aggressive and suspicious of people and other dogs. It has to be socialized with children and other pets since puppyhood if it has to get along with them very well. This breed also makes an excellent guard dog.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 32-35 lbs (15-16 kg), females 30-35 lbs (14-16 kg)

Height: males 17-20 inches (43-51 cm), females 17-19 inches (43-48 cm)

Color: The Australian Heeler comes in either blue or red-speckled (Blue Heeler and Red Heeler, respectively). The Blue Heeler may have black, blue, or tan markings on the head with tan points. The Red Heeler is evenly speckled and may have darker markings on the head. The Australian Heeler is born white but the adult color can be seen in the paw pads.

Country of Origin: The Australian Heeler was developed by pioneer settlers in Australia in the 19th century. The breed came from a mix of smooth blue-speckled Collie imports form Scotland and wild Australian Dingoes. Other breeds crossed to make the Australian Heeler are the Australian Kelpie, Dalmatian, and Bull Terrier.

Grooming: The Australian Heeler has a short water-resistant coat so it is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a bristle brush. Bathe only when needed.

Activities: The Australian Heeler has a great amount of energy to use. Exercise and work are important for this breed. The Australian Heeler’s talents consist of retrieving, herding, guarding, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.

Other Info: The Australian Heeler has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. It is generally healthy but is prone to hip dysplasia, PRA, and deafness. The Australian Heeler is not suited for apartment life. It will fare better in a home with a wide and open yard or field nearby.