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A Koolie working with sheep.

A herding dog or pastoral breed is a dog that either has been trained in herding or that is a member of a breed developed for herding. Some herding breeds work well with any kinds of animals; others have been bred for generations to work with specific kinds of animals and have developed physical characteristics or styles of working that enhance their ability to handle these animals. Commonly herded animals include cattle, sheep, and reindeer, although it is not unusual for poultry to be handled by dogs.

The term "herding dog" is sometimes erroneously used to describe livestock guardian dogs, whose primary function is to guard flocks from predation and theft. Herding dogs do not guard flocks but move them.

In general terms when categorizing dog breeds, herding dogs are considered a subcategory of working dogs, but for conformation shows they usually form a separate group.

A Border Collie at work with hair sheep.

Dogs can herd other animals in a variety of ways. Some breeds, such as the Australian Cattle Dog, typically nip at the animals' heels (for this reason they are called heelers). Others, notably the Border Collie, get in front of the animals and use what is called strong eye to stare down the animals; they are known as headers. The Koolie has been observed to use both these methods and to jump on the backs of their charges. Koolies are therefore said to 'head', 'heel', and 'back'. Other types such as the Welsh Sheepdog are loose eyed, working more independently.

All herding behavior is modified predatory behavior.

Most herding breeds have physical characteristics that help them with their work, including speed and endurance. Shorter breeds, such as Welsh Corgis, were bred so that they would be out of the way when cattle, their primary charges, kicked at them.

Due to their intelligence and beauty, herding dogs are often chosen as family pets. These dogs have been bred as working dogs and must be kept active.

Herding breeds include the following:

• Aidi
• Australian Cattle Dog
• Australian Kelpie
• Australian Shepherd
• Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
• Basque Shepherd Dog
• Bearded Collie
• Beauceron
• Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael, Laekenois, Tervueren, and Malinois)
• Bergamasco
• Berger Picard
• Berger Blanc Suisse
• Blue Lacy
• Border Collie
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Briard
• Canaan Dog
• Catahoula Leopard Dog
• Catalan Sheepdog
• Collie breeds (see specific breed)
• Dutch Shepherd
• English Shepherd
• German Coolies
• German Shepherd Dog
• Giant Schnauzer
• Huntaway
• Icelandic Sheepdog
• Koolie
• Lancashire Heeler
• Lapponian Herder
• McNab
• Mudi
• Newfoundland
• Norwegian Buhund
• Old English Sheepdog
• Polish Lowland Sheepdog
• Portuguese Sheepdog
• Puli
• Pumi (dog)
• Pyrenean Shepherd
• Rough Collie
• Samoyed
• Schapendoes
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Smooth Collie
• Spanish Water Dog
• Swedish Vallhund
• Welsh Corgis:
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi
• Welsh Sheepdog or Collie

• Sheep dog
• Livestock guarding dog

• "DOGS, WORKING"[1], from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966. Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 11-Jul-2005

• Definitions of herding-dog styles
• Article about German Shepherds in Herding
• Training a Herding Dog
• Profile of AKC Herding Group Dogs