25 Herding Dog Breeds That Work Hard to Protect the Family

For anyone looking to expand their family by adding a furry, four-legged member, one of the herding dog breeds just might be the right option for you. After all, these canines are not only almost always smart—they have to be brainiacs to learn all those commands their owners give them when they're working in the field and on the farm—they're also usually energetic and industrious doggos that are steadfastly devoted to their "pack." They come in all shapes and sizes, too, from small wonder-pups like corgis, on up to big boys, such as Old English sheepdogs.

If you'd like to go with a more popular breed developed to herd critters like sheep and cattle over sometimes vast distances, you might want to think about a German shepherd (one of Ree's favorities!) or a collie. There are lots of other lesser-known or rarer dog breeds on our list, too like Canaans and berger Picards. Fact is, once you get a good look at these 25 herding dogs, you're probably going to want to stock up on plenty of doggie treats and toys, because you're going to want to bring one (or more!) of these beauties home!