sanssouci@bellnet.ca     

 

So you want to live with a Shaggy Herding Dog?

 I hope you have a sense of humour !!!

Here are a few facts that will either change your mind or convince you that Schapendoes or Bearded Collies are the only breeds for you.

Herding breeds are very intelligent. They need to be to outsmart the sheep under their care, but they can be stubborn !!!  If you have a sense of humour, they'll have you grinning at some of the wiles they'll use to get their own way.

                                    Freckles

                        Watch Freckles singing a Christmas Carol on youtube at

                                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OshFoLRZYdY

They are for the most part very agile. They can easily jump over barriers, squeeze under fences or get up on things that you won't believe until you've seen it for yourself.  A minimum 5' fenced-in yard with no gaps underneath is a must if you want to leave them out in the yard with no supervision.  Once they mature and have been taught a perfect recall they can be off leash for walks in the woods etc. but until then they have no qualms about leaving the yard to go visit the neighbourhood.   I've known Bearded Collies who climbed out of 6' covered runs. Both of my Schapendoes have crawled out from under our fence by digging.  Now we have buried wire along the fence line.

                                           SkyeTable

Like all long-haired breeds both Schapendoes & Bearded Collies need regular grooming. They don't really shed so they will become a matted mess if you don't regularly brush them out.  Don't believe the websites that say low maintenance for a Schap. They do get matted and will smell if they come in wet from the rain.  Bathing them at least 4 times a year will keep them smelling nice and will help get rid of the dead undercoat, the same rules apply to Bearded Collies.  Neither of these breeds looks good clipped, and clipping them changes the coat texture making it harder to manage. Be prepared to thoroughly brush out your dog at least once a week and 2 to 3 times a week when a puppy is changing into his adult coat. My motto is why buy a long-haired breed if you're not willing to keep it groomed or pay for professional groomings,  which b.t.w can become very expensive if you want to keep your dog's coat in top condition.    

Both these breeds are very trainable but you'd better have patience because they are easily bored and will make a fool of you if they can.   Schapendoes and Bearded Collies are seen in the obedience and agility rings. They need partners who are willing to make the effort to develop their dog's full potential and make good use of it's working abilities.  

                               Webteeter  

If you are not into dog sports at least be prepared to go out every day and play a game of fetch in the yard with your dog and or take it for a long walk.  Mine prefer a Frisbee game where they can really burn off their energy to a walk on leash. They do love an off-leash walk on wooded trails but we live in the suburbs where there are leash laws. Off leash walks in the woods are special outings for them.  Both these breeds are calm in the house and will snooze the afternoon away when they know you don't have time for them. If you have more than one dog they'll play together but they really prefer activities with their people. 

                                  MoMoFrisbee

Last but no least, neither Schapendoes or Bearded Collies are guard dogs. They will raise the alarm if something unusual happens around their home and will bark in greeting but aren't nuisance barkers (unless chasing their Frisbee). I have found that the Schapendoes is protective of their humans when it comes to other dogs. This is a good reason to take them as puppies to classes and to places where they can interact with other breeds of dogs, early on. The problem arises mostly in the home environment. I often board friends' dogs and have friends with dogs staying over. Once the boundaries have been set everything goes smoothly but Schaps will take offence if they think a doggie guest has overstepped his boundaries and quickly remind them of their manners.   Beardies on the other hand are rarely offended by anything.  Both these breeds get along very well with other species of animals. Mine live with a cat and 2 rabbits. They all get along but I'm not sure if Domino appreciates it when Skye eats all his food.

                                            SkyeRabbit

 

 Herding Dogs are loads of fun to live with as long as you can appreciate their qualites !