What are the Best Farm Dogs?

The world of farm dogs – one that thrives on wide open spaces, the smell of fresh hay, and the simple pleasure of herding anything that moves. From the ancient herders of rural England to the cattle-driving dogs of the American West, they’ve worked side by side with farmers, performing everything from chasing off predators to collecting eggs (well, maybe not the egg part, but you get it, right?).

But what exactly makes a good farm dog? It isn’t just the muscle and stamina. It is the tenacity, speed and loyalty of a working dog. And most importantly, unwavering love for dirt. Because on a farm, it’s a dog’s world, and you’re just a tenant.  

Here are our top picks for farm dogs – ⁽¹⁾

Aussies, as they are fondly called, are best known for their intelligence and herding instincts. Always ready to work, these dogs are great at herding sheep and cows (even small kids at times). Apart from the high energy, they also come with high levels of affection. So, with them, you’ll get a great farm and a family dog. 

You can’t miss these dogs from this list, as they are the smartest ones out there. You’ll probably see more Border Collies on farms and ranches than any other dog. They are quick, intelligent, and agile. They come with a sense of independence but are always willing to please. 

The steady, bold, sensible, quick-to-learn and always ready-to-please Scotch Collie is one of the best dogs on farms. Their large stature with a gentle demeanor helps them herd sheep. They are as fond of humans, especially children, as they are of herding. 

What is the Best Dog to Protect Livestock?

In case you’re looking for a dog that protects the flocks and herds on the farm, here are our top recommendations – ⁽¹⁾

These dogs are devoted protectors. They come with incredible strength and a large size. They may not be the most affectionate dogs out there, but they are great at what they do. If you’re an owner who can manage them on a leash and keep them contained, they can be a great farm protector. 

The best way to describe these dogs is – ‘gentle giants.’ Incredibly strong and fast, these dogs make excellent farm and family dogs. They are calm but notoriously protective when it comes to people and herds. They can be independent and, hence, difficult to train at times, but given sufficient patience and positive reinforcements, they can be excellent farm and family dogs. 

What is the Calmest Herding Dog?

It is difficult to find calm herding dogs as the most important properties needed for a herding dog are high energy levels and enthusiasm. However, there are dog breeds that are comparatively very calmer than others but yet great at herding. Our top find is the Great Pyrenees, as it’s rightly called the ‘gentle giant.’ Other breeds that can have their name in the list include – 

What is the Best Dog for a Poultry Farm?

Your dream of running a small poultry farm or having a few chickens in the backyard that provide you with fresh eggs without worrying about predators can be achieved with the help of dogs that are great at protecting chickens. The main qualities that make a dog suitable for it are protective instincts, trainability, independence and, to some extent, size. The breeds that check all of these are - ⁽²⁾

What is the Smartest Farm Dog?

If you search for any of the questions above in the article, you may get varied answers, as everyone’s rating is subjective. However, if you search for the smartest farm dog, almost all if not all, pages will show you the same answer – The Border Collie. 

They are the only dog breed in the world to recognize over 1000 nouns. They also have high levels of adaptive intelligence. They are extremely fast learners and quick responders to commands. They are known to obey a known command on the first try with a 95 per cent success rate. Other dogs take between 25 and 50 repetitions on average and have a 50 per cent success rate on the first try. ⁽³⁾  

More about Spot Pet Insurance

We’ve listed the best farm dogs, protection dogs and herding dogs for you. They are great at what they do. They may be faster, smarter and better at their jobs than others, but they have one thing in common with all other dogs – they are prone to illnesses and accidents as well. 

Some may be minor, but the severe ones can be dangerous for them and expensive for your pockets. And at such a time, we wouldn’t want you to worry about the expenses of treatment when you’re already worrying about the health of your lovely canine. This is where pet health insurance helps. 

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. 

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!