Herding Group

# Breed AKC group Size Weight Lifespan
4 German Shepherd DogA large, athletic herding breed from Germany, widely used in police, military and service work and kept as a loyal, trainable family guardian. Herding Group Large 50 to 90 lb 9 to 13 years
14 Australian ShepherdThe Australian Shepherd is an agile, intelligent American herding dog with a merle or solid coat, known for stamina, loyalty and a need for work. Herding Group Medium 40 to 65 lb 12 to 15 years
16 Pembroke Welsh CorgiA low, sturdy herding dog from Wales with a fox-like face, big ears and a bold, outgoing manner, bred to drive cattle by nipping at their heels. Herding Group Medium 25 to 30 lb 12 to 14 years
26 Border CollieThe Border Collie is a lithe herding dog from the Anglo-Scottish border, famous for intense focus, speed and exceptional trainability. Herding Group Medium 30 to 55 lb 12 to 15 years
28 Miniature American ShepherdA compact, athletic herding dog developed in the United States from small Australian Shepherds, quick to learn and happiest with a job. Herding Group Medium 20 to 40 lb 12 to 15 years
29 Shetland SheepdogA small, long-coated herding dog from the Shetland Islands, known for sharp intelligence, sensitivity and a tendency to bark. Herding Group Small 15 to 25 lb 12 to 14 years
32 Belgian MalinoisThe Belgian Malinois is a powerful, short-coated Belgian herding breed used in police and military work, with intense drive that calls for experienced handling. Herding Group Medium 40 to 80 lb 14 to 16 years
39 CollieA graceful, gentle herding dog from Scotland, famous for its flowing coat and loyal nature, in both rough-coated and smooth-coated varieties. Herding Group Large 50 to 75 lb 12 to 14 years
47 Australian Cattle DogThe Australian Cattle Dog is a tough, compact herding dog bred to drive cattle over long distances, known for endurance, loyalty and a strong will. Herding Group Medium 33 to 50 lb 12 to 16 years
65 Cardigan Welsh CorgiA sturdy, long-tailed Welsh cattle-herding dog with a deep chest, big ears and a steady, loyal temperament, larger and heavier-boned than the Pembroke. Herding Group Medium 25 to 38 lb 12 to 15 years
87 Old English SheepdogA big, shaggy, cheerful herding dog from England with a profuse grey and white coat, bred to drive livestock and now valued as a clownish family companion. Herding Group Large 60 to 100 lb 10 to 12 years
100 Bouvier des FlandresThe Bouvier des Flandres is a large, rugged herding and guarding dog from Belgium and France with a shaggy weatherproof coat and a calm, serious manner. Herding Group Large 70 to 110 lb 10 to 12 years
102 BeauceronThe Beauceron is a large, athletic French herding and guarding dog with a rugged black-and-tan coat, double dewclaws and a confident, serious character. Herding Group Large 70 to 110 lb 10 to 12 years
115 Belgian TervurenThe Belgian Tervuren is an elegant, long-coated Belgian herding dog with a black-tipped fawn coat, known for sensitivity, athleticism and drive. Herding Group Medium 45 to 75 lb 12 to 14 years
120 Belgian SheepdogThe Belgian Sheepdog is a striking, long-haired black herding breed from Belgium, known as the Groenendael elsewhere, with intelligence and a watchful nature. Herding Group Medium 45 to 75 lb 12 to 14 years
125 MudiA rare, athletic Hungarian herding dog with a wavy coat and upright ears, quick, versatile and alert, best suited to owners who have plenty of time to train. Herding Group Small 18 to 29 lb 12 to 14 years
127 Finnish LapphundA friendly, thickly coated spitz-type herding dog from Finnish Lapland, bred to manage reindeer and valued as a cheerful, talkative family companion. Herding Group Medium 33 to 53 lb 12 to 15 years
138 Icelandic SheepdogA cheerful, sturdy spitz-type herding dog from Iceland with a curled tail and a lively voice, valued as a friendly and adaptable family dog. Herding Group Medium 20 to 30 lb 12 to 14 years
140 Bearded CollieThe Bearded Collie is a cheerful, shaggy-coated Scottish herding dog with boundless bounce, known as the clown of the herding group. Herding Group Medium 45 to 55 lb 12 to 14 years
152 Swedish VallhundA short-legged, sturdy Swedish herding dog resembling a small, fox-faced corgi, bred to drive cattle and still lively, alert and hardworking. Herding Group Medium 20 to 35 lb 12 to 15 years
160 PumiA lively, terrier-like Hungarian herding dog with a curly coat and upright, tipped ears, quick and vocal with a love of activity. Herding Group Medium 22 to 29 lb 12 to 13 years
166 Berger PicardThe Berger Picard is a rustic, wiry-coated French herding dog from Picardy with upright ears, an expressive face and a reserved, independent streak. Herding Group Medium 50 to 70 lb 13 to 15 years
167 Spanish Water DogA medium-sized Spanish herding and water dog with a woolly, curly coat that sheds little, known for versatility, stamina and a close bond with its family. Herding Group Medium 31 to 49 lb 12 to 14 years
172 BriardThe Briard is a large French herding and guarding dog with a long, goat-like coat, double hind dewclaws and a loyal, protective nature. Herding Group Large 55 to 100 lb 10 to 12 years
173 Norwegian BuhundA lively, spitz-type Norwegian farm and herding dog with a curled tail and a ready voice, energetic, friendly and a strong fit for active households. Herding Group Medium 26 to 40 lb 12 to 15 years
177 PuliA medium-sized Hungarian herding dog with a long corded coat that looks like dreadlocks, agile, devoted and watchful with a loud voice. Herding Group Medium 25 to 35 lb 12 to 16 years
178 Entlebucher Mountain DogThe smallest of the Swiss mountain dogs, a compact, tricolor cattle-driving breed that is athletic, devoted and exuberant with a strong need for work. Herding Group Medium 40 to 65 lb 11 to 13 years
183 Bergamasco SheepdogThe Bergamasco Sheepdog is an Italian Alpine herding dog whose coat forms thick, felted flocks, known for a calm, patient and devoted nature. Herding Group Large 57 to 70 lb 13 to 15 years
190 Lancashire HeelerA small, short-legged English cattle-herding dog with a glossy black and tan coat, known for being cheerful, alert and fond of herding games. Herding Group Small 13 to 17 lb 12 to 15 years
191 Pyrenean ShepherdA small, wiry, intensely energetic French herding dog from the Pyrenees that is quick, vocal and demanding, bred to work flocks on mountain slopes. Herding Group Small 15 to 30 lb 12 to 15 years
192 Polish Lowland SheepdogA medium-sized, shaggy Polish herding dog with a thick, tousled coat, known for its sharp memory, cheerful energy and close family bonds. Herding Group Medium 30 to 50 lb 12 to 14 years
193 Canaan DogA hardy, alert pariah-type herding and guard dog from Israel, wary of strangers, devoted to its family and well adapted to hot, dry climates. Herding Group Medium 35 to 55 lb 12 to 15 years
196 Belgian LaekenoisThe Belgian Laekenois is the rarest of the four Belgian herding breeds, with a rough, wiry fawn coat, and is valued as an agile working partner. Herding Group Medium 55 to 65 lb 12 to 14 years

Ranked by the American Kennel Club's 2025 registration popularity. The three breeds it recognized in January 2026 follow. Weights are typical adult ranges; sizes are this site's classes: small under 25 lb, medium 25 to 60 lb, large over 60 lb.